The 11-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its major partners, including the US, China, India, Japan, and South Korea, are convening in Manila to tackle pressing regional issues.The meeting comes amid heightened tensions between the US and Iran, which have cast a shadow over the gathering.

Key topics include the ongoing conflict in Myanmar, maritime disputes in the South China Sea, and the impact of the Middle East crisis on global energy supplies and economic stability.

Philippine Foreign Ministry spokesperson Dominic Xavier Imperial noted that the US-Iran conflict will be a central discussion point, with diplomats seeking to address the region's challenges.The meeting also aims to advance ASEAN's peace initiative in Myanmar, which has struggled to gain traction five years after its launch.Additionally, potential bilateral talks between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi are expected to take place.The gathering underscores ASEAN's role in navigating complex geopolitical dynamics while addressing domestic and regional security concerns.