As chair of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC), my commitment to making our regional body more inclusive has never been more vital. My goal is to make this ASEAN more inclusive, a task that I started more than a decade ago, in 2017, when I last headed the ASEAN-BAC. We have made substantial progress, but the need to engage every segment of society in the ASEAN narrative is now more urgent, especially when economic growth and poverty alleviation are at stake.

Admittedly, we have a bit of an image problem when it comes to events like the ASEAN. High-level meetings in closed-off venues and traffic coming to a standstill to make way for VVIPs to be escorted to their next meetings – although necessary for security reasons – do not help improve that image. I’ve heard people say that ASEAN primarily caters to the wealthy and powerful; they couldn’t be more wrong. ASEAN is a collective of nations striving for shared prosperity. We have adopted the theme “Navigating Our Future, Together: Advancing Prosperity For All” to underscore this commitment to ensuring that the fruits of economic growth touch every citizen, particularly those in the marginalized sectors. Women and youth, particularly, have so much potential to contribute to the economy and yet remain with limited opportunities to participate. We plan to change that.

The ASEAN-BAC’s focus areas – agriculture and food security, creative economies, youth development, women’s economic empowerment and digital and AI integration – touch on several essential facets of today’s economy. By addressing these elements, we can create pathways out of poverty and foster a more equitable distribution of wealth.

By enhancing agricultural productivity and ensuring steady access to food, we not only maintain a healthy population but also empower rural communities and boost local economies. Food security is a critical foundation for healthy communities and a productive workforce.

The creative sector offers immense potential for job creation and cultural expression. By supporting local artists and entrepreneurs, we can foster innovation while preserving our region’s rich cultural heritage. And there is so much of this in ASEAN. One only needs to explore our weaves, our performing arts, our crafts – our cultures are rich and diverse yet have a common heritage and shared aspirations.

ASEAN is fortunate to have a young demographic. The greying of the population in even the advanced economies will make this an advantage in the coming years. With a large youth population, ASEAN must invest in education and job training to equip young people with the skills necessary to thrive in a competitive landscape. Empowering youth is essential for building a future workforce that can drive economic growth. We must also look to cultivate and clear the path for the next generation of entrepreneurs among the youth.

Women are pivotal to economic development. By ensuring equal access to resources and opportunities, we can unlock their potential as leaders and entrepreneurs. In fact, many of our MSMEs are headed by women, making their empowerment critical for inclusive growth. Much has also been said about the economic value of the “care economy,” which is primarily the domain of mothers, sisters and daughters.

And as the digital landscape evolves, it is crucial to ensure that marginalized communities are not left behind. Investing in digital infrastructure and education will create job opportunities and foster economic participation, but we must ensure to build trust in digital technologies by making our infrastructure secure and robust.

Indeed, we need to bridge the gap between ASEAN and everyday citizens. One of my plans is to broadcast discussions during this year’s ASEAN meetings through LED screens in major malls across the country. By making these conversations accessible, we invite everyone to partake in the regional dialogue, ensuring broad understanding and engagement. We have already laid the groundwork for this through Go Negosyo’s Trabaho at Negosyo program, a nationwide job fair and mentorship initiative built on the fact that MSMEs generate more than half of jobs across all economies.

Inclusivity should extend beyond the urban centers to reach provinces that often feel overlooked. The directive from President Marcos to hold ASEAN meetings in various parts of the country, such as Batangas, Puerto Galera and Boracay, serves to highlight the beauty and potential of our local economies. Engaging with rural areas not only enriches the ASEAN experience but also enhances regional tourism and community development.

By showcasing our islands and local cultures to ASEAN delegates, we strengthen tourism while empowering local communities economically. The unique offerings of places like Oslob, where whale sharks are a major attraction, can contribute significantly to local income and job creation.

Achieving the ambitious goal of inclusivity requires collaboration across all sectors – public and private. We declare our intentions and then back these statements with actions that resonate at all levels. Gathering leaders and stakeholders from various backgrounds will enrich our discussions, allowing us to create more comprehensive solutions to the increasingly complex problems we face.

The pathway to alleviating poverty in the ASEAN region lies in our commitment to inclusivity across all sectors. As we work to achieve this goal, our focus remains firmly on creating an environment where every individual, regardless of gender, social status or location, can thrive.

ASEAN 2026 presents an opportunity for us to demonstrate that the Philippines – and ASEAN – can lead by example. It can be a model for other regions to follow: a region with diverse cultures and faiths yet united in its aspiration for a prosperous future for all the individuals and communities in its membership. ASEAN can be that region that will tread the steady, stable path to economic growth through collaboration and cooperation, all without leaving anyone behind.

 Originally Published in Philippine Star