Visit by Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan to Cebu, the Philippines for the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat and Related Meetings, 28 to 29 January 2026

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan attended the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat from 28 to 29 January 2026 in Cebu, the Philippines. The Foreign Ministers discussed ASEAN’s priorities and how it will respond to regional and international developments, including the situation in Myanmar.

The Foreign Ministers reaffirmed the importance of upholding ASEAN Centrality and strengthening ASEAN integration amidst a volatile geopolitical environment.

Singapore supports the Philippines’ Chairmanship priorities for ASEAN to promote trade and investment, strengthen the digital economy through the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement, deepen collaboration in artificial intelligence, and accelerate sustainability and the energy transition through the ASEAN Power Grid.

Minister Balakrishnan reiterated the importance of maintaining the ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand and expressed hope for both sides to resolve their differences peacefully through dialogue and negotiations.

Meaningful political progress in Myanmar requires a cessation of hostilities, inclusive dialogue, and participation by all stakeholders. These preconditions are necessary for a government with legitimacy and a measure of popular support to emerge. In the meantime, ASEAN reaffirmed the primacy of the Five-Point Consensus as the framework for addressing the situation in Myanmar and commended the efforts of the Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair.

Minister Balakrishnan had bilateral meetings with Cambodia Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn; Indonesia Minister of Foreign Affairs Sugiono; Malaysia Minister of Foreign Affairs Dato’ Seri Utama Mohamad Hasan; Thailand Minister of Foreign Affairs Sihasak Phuangketkeow; The Philippines Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro; and Vietnam Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung.

.    .    .    .    .

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

29 JANUARY 2026