Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today delivered pre-recorded remarks at the 4th ASEAN-EU Policy Dialogue on Higher Education, themed “Advancing Innovation and Skills for a Sustainable Blue Economy,” which is being held on 27–28 October 2026 in Manila, the Philippines. Organised under the EU-funded Sustainable Connectivity Package – Higher Education (SCOPE-HE) in collaboration with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) of the Philippines, the Dialogue brought together policymakers, higher education leaders, and other stakeholders to discuss innovation, skills development, and cooperation in support of a sustainable blue economy. Watch the full remarks: youtu.be/RYbXHlHR54A?si=sFbI…

The answer is the European Union! The European Union (EU) became an ASEAN Dialogue Partner in 1977, marking the beginning of a longstanding partnership between the two regions. Stay tuned as we explore more about ASEAN–EU cooperation! #ASEANDialoguePartnersCooperation

In Timor-Leste, Tukir gets its distinctive character from the way it is cooked. Seasoned meat, often goat or buffalo, is placed inside a bamboo tube and slowly cooked over a fire until tender. This traditional Timorese cooking method uses bamboo as a cooking vessel, allowing the meat to cook slowly over the heat. Tukir is often prepared for traditional ceremonies and gatherings and is commonly enjoyed with rice or cassava. #TableforEleven

Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr. Kao Kim Hourn delivered pre-recorded opening remarks at the Gala Screening of Where the Sun Sets and Hope Rises, a documentary by the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation in Manila, Philippines. SG Dr. Kao reflects ASEAN’s journey of dialogue, cooperation and solidarity, and the enduring values that continue to shape our shared future. Watch the full remarks: youtu.be/qsAXMZTOjs8

The 42nd Meeting of the Governing Council of the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation (ASEAN-IPR) deliberated on the Institute’s future work plans and priorities to strengthen peace resilience and conflict prevention across the region, in alignment with ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future. The Meeting expressed appreciation to the outgoing Executive Director, H.E. I Gusti Agung Wesaka Puja, for his service and contributions to the work of ASEAN-IPR, and welcomed H.E. Robert Matheus Michael Tene as the newly appointed ASEAN-IPR Executive Director for the 2027-2029 term. Chaired by H.E. Ambassador Evangeline Ong Jimenez-Ducrocq, Chair of the Governing Council and Permanent Representative of the Philippines to ASEAN, the Meeting was attended by members of the Governing Council. H.E. Nararya Sanggramawijaya Soeprapto, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for Community and Corporate Affairs, attended the Meeting on behalf of the Secretary-General of ASEAN as an Ex-Officio Member of the Governing Council. The Meeting concluded with the handover of the Governing Council’s chairship from the Philippines to Singapore.

Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community, H.E. San Lwin, delivered remarks at the launch of the Study Report on the Analysis of Supply and Demand for Green Jobs and Green Skills in ASEAN on 27 October 2026 in Singapore. He highlighted the importance of equipping ASEAN’s workforce with skills needed to participate in the transition towards greener, more sustainable and climate-resilient economies, in line with the ASEAN Community Vision 2045. The study report provides findings and recommendations to support ASEAN cooperation on green jobs and green skills promotion, highlighting the importance of aligning TVET systems with labour market demands, strengthening labour market data intelligence, and promoting coherent governance of green employment. DSG San Lwin called for continued cooperation among ASEAN Member States, sectoral bodies and external partners to facilitate a just and inclusive green transition with no one left behind.

Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community, H.E. San Lwin, delivered remarks at the launch of the ASEAN Labour Statisticians Network (ALSN) and the inaugural ALSN Expert Forum on 27 October 2026 in Singapore. He highlighted the importance of reliable labour market data intelligence in enabling ASEAN to understand, anticipate and respond to transformations in the world of work, including digitalisation, artificial intelligence, and the green transition. He underscored the timeliness of establishing the ALSN as a regional community of practice to facilitate knowledge sharing and collaboration among ASEAN Member States to promote institutional capacities and evidence-based policymaking. The Forum brings together labour statisticians, labour market analysts, labour market information system practitioners, policymakers, and other stakeholders from ASEAN Member States. The Forum will continue until 29 October 2026 and identify priorities for future technical cooperation and knowledge sharing under the ALSN.

On 22 October 2026, H.E. San Lwin, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC), delivered opening remarks at the 6th ASEAN-Russia Youth Summit, reaffirming ASEAN’s commitment to empowering young people as key partners in regional cooperation and sustainable development. He highlighted the importance of meaningful youth engagement, intercultural dialogue, and people-to-people connectivity in strengthening ASEAN-Russia relations. The Summit provided a valuable platform for young leaders to exchange perspectives, forge partnerships, and contribute to a shared vision of an inclusive, resilient, and people-centred future. Photo credit: Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU)

Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today met with Ms. Allyson Anderson Book, Chief Sustainability, Government Affairs and Public Policy Officer of Baker Hughes, on the sidelines of Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW), in Singapore. They exchanged views on global energy industry developments, particularly the outlook for oil and gas. They also shared perspectives on emerging technologies and their implications for energy security and sustainable energy development.

We’ve explored three of ASEAN’s Dialogue Partners so far. Can you guess which Dialogue Partner we’re going to explore next? Unlike ASEAN’s other Dialogue Partners, this partner brings together a group of countries under one regional union. Drop your answer in the comments section! #ASEANDialoguePartnersCooperation

Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, on 26 October 2026, met with Ms. Emmanuelle Wargon, Chair of the French Energy Regulatory Commission, on the sidelines of Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW), in Singapore. They exchanged views on global energy developments and regulatory perspectives on energy security. Discussions also covered cross-border electricity connectivity, including the ASEAN Power Grid.

Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today spoke with Channel News Asia (CNA), on the sidelines of SIEW 2026, in Singapore, to address key questions on the ASEAN Power Grid, highlighting efforts to strengthen cross-border electricity connectivity, address infrastructure challenges, enhance regional energy security and mobilise investment through regional partnerships.

On the sidelines of his participation in the Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW) 2026, in Singapore, Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, participated in a joint interview with journalists from the 21st Century Business Herald, Cambodianess, Koh Santepheap Daily, and ABS-CBN. The discussions focused on ASEAN’s efforts to strengthen regional energy security and accelerate the development of the ASEAN Power Grid to meet the region’s growing energy demands. Dr. Kao also highlighted ASEAN's commitment to enhancing regional cooperation, strengthening energy resilience, and improving collective preparedness against external supply disruptions.

On the sidelines of the SIEW 2026, in Singapore, Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr. Kao Kim Hourn shared key insights on how ASEAN is accelerating its energy transition under APAEC 2026–2030, in a series of interviews with the South China Morning Post (SCMP), Lianhe Zaobao, and GovInsider. ASEAN remains committed to a practical, balanced approach that safeguards regional energy security while strengthening regional energy security and supporting sustainable growth.

Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today delivered pre-recorded remarks at the Opening Session of the Senior Executive Programme in Disaster Management (SEPDM) 2026, held in Singapore. In his remarks, SG Dr. Kao underscored the importance of strategic foresight, scenario planning, risk intelligence, advanced technologies and innovation, and strengthened partnerships to enhance ASEAN’s capacities to manage emerging and future disaster risks. The SEPDM is an annual flagship capacity building programme of the ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management (ACDM), hosted by Singapore since 2015. The SEPDM 2026, comprises three anchor themes, namely: Disaster and Crisis Leadership; Research, Technology and Innovation for Disaster Management; and Current and Future Trends in Disaster Management, is attended by senior leaders of the ASEAN National Disaster Management Organisations (NDMOs), the ASEAN Secretariat and the AHA Centre, and some external partners. Watch the full remarks: youtube.com/watch?v=ZJ3ZAoUX…

Happy Thadingyut Festival to the people of Myanmar! Known as Myanmar’s Festival of Lights, Thadingyut marks the end of Buddhist Lent (Vassa). Celebrated across the country, the festival sees homes, streets, and pagodas illuminated with candles and colourful lights, symbolising the return of the Lord Buddha from the celestial realm. The festival is also an occasion for families to pay respect to parents, teachers, and elders.

On this day, 26 October 2025, the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste was formally admitted as the eleventh Member State of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). This historic milestone marked a significant step in ASEAN’s journey towards broader regional integration, strengthening solidarity among Member States and advancing our shared commitment to peace, stability, and cooperation across Southeast Asia. As we commemorate the 1st anniversary of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste historic accession to ASEAN, we reaffirm our collective aspiration for a cohesive, resilient, and people-centred ASEAN Community. #ASEANHistory