ASEAN flexes 'convening power' on South China Sea and other issues

International relationsBloc's stature as global player grows despite persistent internal weaknessesPhilippine Foreign Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro -- the current ASEAN chair and host of the bloc's foreign ministers meetings this week in Manila -- poses with some of her European counterparts after a session on July 24. © ReutersRAMON ROYANDOYAN and MAI NGUYENJuly 24, 2026 16:36 JSTMANILA -- When ASEAN's foreign ministers met with counterparts from around the world in Manila this week, a swath of geopolitical flashpoints dominated the agenda.