Philippine Embassy Supports Japan Model ASEAN Meeting 2026
Deputy Chief of Mission Christian L. De Jesus of the Philippine Embassy in Japan (3rd row, 5th from right) joins the delegates of the Japan Model ASEAN Meeting 2026 in its opening ceremony on 19 February 2026 (photo courtesy of JMAM Organizing Committee).
The Philippine Embassy in Japan extended its support for the conduct of the first Japan Model ASEAN Meeting (JMAM) on 19-20 February 2026 at the ASEAN-Japan Centre in Tokyo. The JMAM was organized with the support of the Mission of Japan to ASEAN, Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF), and the ASEAN Foundation.
The Embassy’s Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM), Mr. Christian L. De Jesus, represented Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene J. Garcia-Albano at the JMAM’s opening ceremony. The event brought together Japanese and international students to simulate ASEAN’s institutional processes under the overarching theme “Strengthening Regional Resilience and Youth Cooperation in a Changing World.”
“It is difficult to overstate the importance of exercises like the Japan Model ASEAN Meeting, where future diplomats, policymakers, and thought leaders learn not only the vocabulary of diplomacy, but also the discipline of diplomacy. In the next couple of days, you will find that listening is as important as speaking, that finding common ground is not optional but necessary, and that consensus must be built with intention and persistence,” DCM De Jesus said in his remarks to the JMAM delegates on behalf of Ambassador Garcia-Albano.
DCM De Jesus of the Philippine Embassy addresses the JMAM delegates (photo courtesy of JMAM Organizing Committee).
JMAM delegates assumed the roles of heads of delegations and senior officials of the 11 ASEAN Member States and the ASEAN Secretariat, convening simulated high-level meetings reflecting the pillars of the One ASEAN Community. Prior to the simulations, the delegates underwent pre-conference training to strengthen negotiation skills, position paper drafting, understanding of ASEAN rules and procedures, and awareness of regional issues being addressed by the organization.
During the program, DCM De Jesus shared insights on the Philippines’ contributions to ASEAN’s development, which is accentuated by its chairship of ASEAN in 2026 with the theme “Navigating Our Future, Together.” He likewise provided an overview of Philippine chairship’s priorities summarized into the “3Ps”: peace and security anchors, prosperity corridors, and people empowerment.
“Our nations may be diverse but we are guided by the same vision – a peaceful, prosperous, and resilient Southeast Asia that remains open, inclusive, and a responsible actor in the international community,” DCM De Jesus remarked.
The JMAM opening ceremony was also attended by Ambassador Yonetani KOJI of the Mission of Japan to ASEAN, representatives from the diplomatic missions of ASEAN Member States in Japan as well as ASEAN-Japan Center Secretary General Kunihiko Hirabayashi.
