New Asean flag, emblem launched

November 16, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) launched yesterday its updated flag and emblem to reflect the official admission of Timor-Leste to the regional bloc.

The updated flag features 11 rice stalks inside a red-and-white circle on a blue field, symbolizing the expansion of the bloc to 11 member states.

“This year, the Cebu Protocol marked another step in that journey, reflecting an ASEAN of 11 that has shaped the future together,” President Marcos said in his remarks during the opening ceremony of the 49th ASEAN Summit at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay.

The Cebu Protocol, adopted during the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu in May, formally added Timor-Leste as ASEAN’s 11th member and replaced the official ASEAN flag and emblem with updated versions. This was the first-ever change in the ASEAN Charter since its 2007 signing.

Marcos and First Lady Liza Marcos welcomed the leaders of ASEAN during the opening ceremony: Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei, Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Thailand Prime Minister Anutin Charnivarakul, Indonesia President Prabowo Subianto, Vietnam Prime Minister Le Minh Hung, Lao PDR Prime Minister Saleuxmay Kommasith and Timor-Leste Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão.

Also welcomed were Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Hangchuon Naron and Mayanmar representative Director General U Han Win Aung.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Brazil President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and International Monetary Fund managing director Kristalina Georgieva also attended the opening ceremony.

Gusmão was seen dancing with Filipino performers during the opening ceremony to the tune of “Sama-sama Tayo,” a song composed for the Philippines’ hosting of ASEAN this year.

Marcos and other leaders were also seen riding colorful and custom-painted electric tricycles or e-trikes around the PICC.

The e-trikes have an “ASEAN” signage similar to those used by tricycles and jeepneys to indicate their routes.

The ASEAN-US Summit, which will be attended by United States President Donald Trump, is to take place tomorrow after the closing ceremony.