In the Philippines, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit is in full swing. The country is currently hosting the 31st ASEAN Summit and Related Summits from November 12-14, 2017.
Leading the summit is Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who happens to be the Chairman of ASEAN 2017. It can be recalled that he topped the TIME 100 Readers’ Poll earlier this year. Remarkably, this year’s summit also marks that 50th anniversary of the ASEAN regional bloc.

Image Credit: Mocha Uson Blog FB Page
31st ASEAN Summit Held in the Philippines
The summit gathers together the leaders of the 10 ASEAN nations: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Also in attendance are leaders and officials from Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, United States, and other countries.
Most of the events are taking place at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) complex has been reserved for the occasion.

Image Credit: Mocha Uson Blog FB Page
The major events of the summit are as follows:
November 12, 2017
- Gala Dinner – 7pm, SMX Convention Center, Pasay City
November 13, 2017
- Opening Ceremony – 9am, CCP, Manila
- 31st ASEAN Summit (Plenary) – 10 am, PICC, Manila
- ASEAN Leaders’ Interface with ASEAN Business Advisory Council – 12 noon, PICC
- 5th ASEAN – US Summit – 1:15pm, PICC
- 20th ASEAN – China Summit – 2:30pm, PICC
- 19th ASEAN – Republic of Korea Summit – 3:45pm, PICC
- ASEAN Plus Three (APT) Leaders’ Interface with East Asia Business Council – 6:15pm, PICC
- 9th Mekong-Japan Summit – 7pm, PICC
- 9th ASEAN-UN Summit – 8pm, PICC

Image Credit: Presidential Communications FB Page
November 14, 2017
- 20th ASEAN Plus Three (APT) Commemorative Summit – 9am, PICC
- ASEAN – Canada 40th Anniversary Commemorative Summit – 10:15am, PICC
- ASEAN – EU 40th Anniversary Commemorative Summit – 11:30am, PICC
- Lunch hosted by President Rodrigo Duterte, Chairman of ASEAN 2017 – 12:30pm, PICC
- 12th East Asia Summit – 1:30pm, PICC
- Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Summit – 3:45pm, PICC
- 15th ASEAN – India Summit – 5pm, PICC
- Signing Ceremony of the ASEAN Consensus on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers – 6:15pm, PICC
- Closing Ceremony and Handover of ASEAN Chairmanship to the Republic of Singapore – 7pm, PICC
- Press Conference with President Rodrigo Duterte – 8pm, PICC
Here are some photos that highlight the events of ASEAN Summit 2017:

Image Credit: Mocha Uson Blog FB Page

Image Credit: Mocha Uson Blog FB Page

Image Credit: Mocha Uson Blog FB Page

Image Credit: Mocha Uson Blog FB Page

Image Credit: Mocha Uson Blog FB Page

Image Credit: Mocha Uson Blog FB Page

Image Credit: Mocha Uson Blog FB Page
Hosting the 31st ASEAN Summit is a great source of pride for Filipinos. Notably, a couple of months ago, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano of the Philippines held bilateral talks with the UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash. Indeed, the current administration is doing a great job!