The Philippines is currently in the spotlight as it hosts the ASEAN Summit 2026 in Cebu. This event marks a significant moment for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a regional organization focused on promoting peace and economic cooperation among its members.
Established in 1967, ASEAN was designed to foster regional stability and collaboration. The Philippines, as a founding member, plays a crucial role in guiding discussions that influence the region's future.
The summit will see representatives from all 11 member states, including the recently added Timor-Leste. Below is a brief overview of each member country.
Philippines
• Year of ASEAN membership: 1967 • Head of state: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. • Capital: Manila • Area: 299,764 sq km • Population: 112.7 million (2024) • GDP per capita: $3,984.8 (2024) • Currency: Philippine peso
Indonesia
• Year of ASEAN membership: 1967 • Head of state: President Prabowo Subianto • Capital: Jakarta • Area: 1,811,569 sq km • Population: 288.3 million (2025) • GDP per capita: $4,925.4 (2024) • Currency: Indonesian rupiah
Singapore
• Year of ASEAN membership: 1967 • Head of state: President Tharman Shanmugaratnam • Head of government: Prime Minister Lawrence Wong • Capital: Singapore • Area: 744.3 sq km • Population: 6.11 million (2025) • GDP per capita: $90,674.1 (2024) • Currency: Singapore dollar
Thailand
• Year of ASEAN membership: 1967 • Head of state: King Maha Vajiralongkorn • Head of government: Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul • Capital: Bangkok • Area: 513,115 sq km • Population: 65.95 million (2024) • GDP per capita: $7,346.6 (2024) • Currency: Thai baht
Malaysia
• Year of ASEAN membership: 1967 • Head of state: King Ibrahim Iskandar • Head of government: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim • Capital: Kuala Lumpur • Area: 330,803 sq km • Population: 34.2 million (2024) • GDP per capita: $11,874.4 (2024) • Currency: Malaysian ringgit
Brunei
• Year of ASEAN membership: 1984 • Head of state: Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah • Capital: Bandar Seri Begawan • Area: 5,765 sq km • Population: 458,600 (2025) • GDP per capita: $33,153.5 (2024) • Currency: Brunei dollar
Vietnam
• Year of ASEAN membership: 1995 • Head of state: President To Lam • Head of government: Prime Minister Le Minh Hung • Capital: Hanoi • Area: 331,211.6 sq km • Population: 102.3 million (2025) • GDP per capita: $4,717.3 (2024) • Currency: Vietnamese dong
Myanmar
• Year of ASEAN membership: 1997 • Head of state: President Min Aung Hlaing (non-political representatives attend ASEAN summits) • Capital: Naypyidaw • Area: 677,000 sq km • Population: 51.37 million (2024) • GDP per capita: $1,359.1 (2024) • Currency: Myanmar kyat
Laos
• Year of ASEAN membership: 1997 • Head of state: President Thongloun Sisoulith • Head of government: Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone • Capital: Vientiane • Area: 236,800 sq km • Population: 7.65 million (2024) • GDP per capita: $2,124.0 (2024) • Currency: Lao kip
Cambodia
• Year of ASEAN membership: 1999 • Head of state: King Norodom Sihamoni • Head of government: Prime Minister Hun Manet • Capital: Phnom Penh • Area: 181,436 sq km • Population: 17.28 million (2024) • GDP per capita: $2,627.9 (2024) • Currency: Cambodian riel
Timor-Leste
• Year of ASEAN membership: 2025 • Head of state: President José Ramos-Horta • Head of government: Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao • Capital: Dili • Area: 15,007 sq km • Population: 1.34 million (2022) • GDP per capita: $1,332 (2024) • Currency: United States dollar
As the Philippines leads the discussions at the summit, these member states will collaborate to address issues affecting the region and promote unity.