2026 ASEAN Summit in Manila: Angelina Jolie to talk on global humanitarian action

Oscar-winning American actress, director, and humanitarian advocate Angelina Jolie will take center stage at the upcoming 2026 ASEAN Inclusive Growth Summit on November 11, 2026 at the Solaire Resort in Manila.

Organized by the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, the summit gathers more than 50 high-level policymakers, business leaders, and cultural figures across Southeast Asia.  The ASEAN Inclusive Growth Summit will discuss economic resilience, digital empowerment, and sustainable community development. According to a post on the Facebook page of ASEAN PH, "As the Philippines approaches the culmination of its ASEAN Chairship in November 2026, the country is still set to host a series of major regional and international business, economic, innovation, and creative industry events."

"Taking place in parallel with the closing activities of the Philippine ASEAN Chairship, these gatherings will bring together government leaders, business executives, investors, entrepreneurs, innovators, and industry stakeholders from across ASEAN and beyond," it added.

Spotlight on Humanitarian Action and Heritage

Jolie, a former Special Envoy for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), will lead a featured session alongside Oscar-nominated Cambodian filmmaker Rithy Panh.

The session, titled "From Memory to Possibility: Cambodia, Courage and the Power of Staying," will center on community rehabilitation, displacement, historical memory, and sustainable social growth across the region.

The discussion highlights the intersection between economic policy and human rights, emphasizing how regional growth initiatives must prioritize vulnerable populations and localized displacement challenges.

High-Level Regional Participation

The Manila gathering features a diverse slate of international and local leaders, including:

Government AND Policy: Philippines Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Cristina A. Roque and ASEAN Economic Community Deputy Secretary-General Satvinder Singh.

Cultural and Advocacy Figures: Broadway legend Lea Salonga, Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa, and fashion designer Rajo Laurel.

Global Enterprise & Philanthropy: Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth President Shamina Singh, ASEAN Business Advisory Council Chairman Joey Concepcion III, and leaders from the Shangri-La Group, TikTok, and CARE USA.

The single-day summit will cover key tracks on small business digital integration, cybersecurity defense, cross-border technology frameworks, and sustainable community-based tourism. -Paraluman News