I can already tell that 2026 will be an eventful year. In just a few days – only into the first half of January – we will kick off the year with a significant moment: the official handover of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) chairmanship from Malaysia to the Philippines.

This handover will be, in many ways, the closest thing to a dress rehearsal for ASEAN 2026. Leaders and council members from all 11 ASEAN member-states will gather to witness the transition, and we will welcome them in historic Intramuros, at the heart of Manila. After formal ceremonies, we will give our guests a taste of the Philippines’ renowned sunsets in Batangas – a warm, distinctly Filipino welcome that blends history, hospitality and natural beauty.

The excitement around this event has been palpable. I have been in nearly nonstop meetings with business groups and sectoral leaders who want to know how they can participate and contribute. For many, this is the most important international engagement the Philippines will host this year – an unparalleled opportunity that comes only once every 11 years. Women’s groups, digital technology and finance sectors, creative industries, numerous business chambers, the youth, agricultural stakeholders and others are all mobilizing to set the regional agenda. Each sector recognizes that ASEAN 2026 – and particularly the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit – will convene thousands of global leaders, CEOs and top executives in discussions that will help shape the region’s economic future.

MSMEs will remain central to my advocacy because strengthening MSMEs is essential to inclusive growth; their development is a cornerstone of resilient national economies and a priority across our private-sector initiatives. The Philippine government has set a clear theme for the year: “Navigating our Future, Together.” It has also identified three priority areas – peace and security, prosperity and people empowerment – which provide a coherent framework for national and regional action. The private sector supports these priorities and will align its programs and proposals so that public and private efforts complement each other. I have welcomed the enthusiasm and suggestions from sectoral leaders who have approached me; it is vital that every voice be heard and that our collective contributions reflect the diversity of our society. ASEAN 2026 will provide the ideal platform for those voices to be amplified on a regional stage.

ASEAN 2026 will also be the most significant event of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s term. The First Lady has committed her time and energy to ensure both government and private sector teams have everything they need to deliver a flawless and meaningful series of meetings. The role of spouses in hosting ASEAN is often understated but crucial: they bring humanity, attention to detail and warmth to an otherwise intensely formal calendar. My wife, Marissa, plays a vital role at my every ASEAN engagement; she watches over the smallest logistics and reminds me to look after my health through the marathon of meetings that each summit entails. This year alone, we expect roughly 650 summits, conferences and related meetings across multiple venues – an immense organizational undertaking that requires coordination and stamina.

As the private sector’s counterpart ASEAN chair, I feel the weight of responsibility acutely. I stand on the shoulders of those who came before me – most notably my father, Jose “Joecon” Concepcion Jr., who devoted much of his life to ASEAN and was affectionately known as “Mr. ASEAN.” I grew up learning from his example, absorbing lessons about regional cooperation and the private sector’s role in shaping economic policy. That upbringing prepared me for my first chairship in 2017, and for this moment, and helped me appreciate the historic continuity that links the private sector to the broader arc of Philippine engagement with ASEAN. There is also a personal resonance with President Marcos Jr.: his father served as president in 1967, the year ASEAN was founded, tying our present responsibilities to a past generation that helped build the region’s institutions.

Coming on the heels of a year marked by corruption scandals, ASEAN 2026 offers the Philippines a timely chance to demonstrate its commitment to reform, accountability and good governance. Hosting ASEAN will be an opportunity to show the world that we are determined to put our house in order – both in perception and in practice. We must use this moment to affirm that we do not tolerate theft or misconduct and that we will hold individuals accountable. We should show, convincingly and transparently, that the Philippines is ready to receive and steward international investment with integrity and competence.

Beyond rebuilding confidence, ASEAN 2026 is our opportunity to highlight the Philippines’ strengths: a workforce increasingly ready to meet the needs of future industries, a team of skilled and principled public servants and a private sector aligned with national goals for shared prosperity. The country has abundant human capital and entrepreneurial spirit – people who are inventive, resilient and dedicated to creating a better future. Our private companies, from startups and creative firms to established corporations, are prepared to work with government and international partners to attract investment, create jobs and promote sustainable development.

Ultimately, this year should be about rebuilding trust – both domestically and across the region. We must demonstrate through tangible policy actions and transparent hosting that the Philippines can be relied upon to lead responsibly. ASEAN 2026 can be a pivotal chapter in that story: a time when we prove our readiness to engage as a trusted partner, to chair with dignity and competence and to champion an agenda that centers peace, prosperity and people empowerment. If we seize this moment with humility and resolve, we will not only deliver a successful summit – we will reaffirm the Philippines’ place at the regional table and set a course for inclusive growth that benefits all our citizens.

 Originally Published in Philippine Star