ASEAN Secretary-General Attends 13th Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting

The Philippines is chairing the 13th ASEAN Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors’ Meeting (AFMGM) from April 7 to 10, 2026, convening Southeast Asian financial leaders to address regional stability and economic resilience.

The meetings are being conducted via videoconference to ensure high-level engagement while minimizing logistical risks, a decision the Department of Finance (DOF) attributed to evolving international developments, including tensions in the Middle East.

Under the Philippine chairship theme, Navigating Our Future, Together, the discussions are focused on safeguarding regional stability and ensuring the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) remains prepared for external shocks amid global uncertainties.

Priority Areas and Financial Resilience

The 13th AFMGM is centering its agenda on the creation of resilient financial systems and the expansion of access to finance. A primary objective is the mobilization of investments specifically for infrastructure and the climate transition.

According to the Department of Finance, key topics under discussion include:

• Sustainable finance and climate-related investments
• Regional payments connectivity
• Capital markets development
• Taxation, customs, and banking operations

The DOF stated that the meetings highlight the need for stronger coordination and cooperation among ASEAN members and dialogue partners to strengthen economic resilience.

Strategic Frameworks and Integration

Participants are reviewing the progress of the Roadmap for ASEAN Monetary and Financial Integration. The meetings are also assessing initiatives tied to the ASEAN Economic Community Strategic Plan 2026–2030.

As part of these efforts, the Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, is leading the ASEAN Secretariat delegation. His participation follows an invitation from the Secretary of Finance of the Republic of the Philippines, H.E. Frederick D. Go, and the Governor of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), H.E. Eli M. Remolona, Jr.

In addition to the main ministerial talks, Myanmar is participating in virtual ASEAN Central Bank Deputies’ Meetings.

International Cooperation and Business Engagement

The 13th AFMGM includes engagement with major international financial institutions, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The meetings also facilitate dialogue with business councils from the United Kingdom, the European Union, and the United States. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn is attending the meeting between the ASEAN Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors and the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC).