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Philippines pushes a digital economy pact and a regional power grid as chair

6 November 2026

As ASEAN chair the Philippines set out what it wants the Manila summit series to deliver. Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Leo Herrera-Lim said at a forum at the UP Asian Center that the country will press the proposed ASEAN Power Grid, which would let member states draw electricity from beyond their own borders. The other expected deliverable is the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement, put forward as the first binding region-wide digital economy pact anywhere. Ma. Hellen De La Vega, Director-General for Operations of the ASEAN 2026 National Organizing Council, said Manila wants to show it is ready for business, investment and partnership. The leaders will take up farming, welfare, growth that reaches everyone, secure food and power supplies, the shift to digital tools and rules for artificial intelligence. Leaders of every member state except Myanmar were confirmed, and Myanmar is represented by a career diplomat.

Key deliverable: ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement Energy project pushed: ASEAN Power Grid Organising body: ASEAN 2026 National Organizing Council

Why it matters for exams: The ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement is called the world's first binding region wide digital economy deal, and the ASEAN Power Grid is the bloc's plan for cross border electricity trade.

Kerala PSCUPSC

6 November 2026 Source: Philippine News Agency

In plain words

DEFA ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement — A region wide pact on digital trade, data flows and payments among ASEAN states.

ASEAN Power Grid Plan for an interconnected ASEAN electricity network — It would link national grids so a member can import power from another.