MANILA, Philippines — The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Women Economic Summit (AWES) 2026 was held in Parañaque on Tuesday, with inclusivity among the topics discussed.
The theme of the women economic summit was "Weaving the Asean Future: Women Driving Innovation, Integration and Inclusion."
"Our theme, Weaving the Future, brings us to a beautiful Filipino word: Habi," Rosemarie Bosch-Ong, president of the Women's Business Council Philippines (WomenBizPH) and chairman of the AWES 2026 ways and means committee.
Habi means weave.
"In weaving, every thread has its own strength, color, and purpose. But when these threads come together, they create something stronger, more beautiful, and more enduring," Ong said.
"The same is true of women across Asean. Our countries may have different strengths, cultures, and experiences, but when we bring them together, we can build a more innovative, inclusive, competitive, and resilient region," she said.
Rhoda Castro-Caliwara, chairman of WomenBizPH overall chairman of the AWES 2026 summit management committee, spoke of the impact when women succeed in business.
"When businesses grow, jobs are created. When women succeed in business, the benefits extend far beyond the individual woman," Caliwara said.
"They reach her family, her community, and ultimately, our economies," she said.
"That is the future I hope we can help build through this summit," she said.
"A future where women's economic participation is not simply encouraged, but made possible through real opportunities," Caliwara said.
The Asean Summit and Related Summits will be held from Nov. 15 to 17, 2026.
The Philippines holds the chairmanship of the Asean for this year.
