TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Prabowo Subianto departed from Jakarta for Cebu, Philippines, on Thursday, May 7, 2026, to attend the 48th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit, scheduled for May 7-8, 2026. The Presidential Secretariat announced that the Head of State and his entourage took off from Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base at approximately 9:10 a.m. Western Indonesian Time.
Prabowo was seen off by Vice President Gibran Rakabuming, Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment Abdul Muhaimin Iskandar, State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi, National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, and State Intelligence Agency (BIN) Chief Muhammad Herindra.
Accompanying the President on the flight to Cebu were Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia and Cabinet Secretary Lieutenant Colonel Teddy Indra Wijaya.
Upon arrival in Cebu, Prabowo is scheduled to attend a key agenda item of the 48th ASEAN Summit: the Brunei Darussalam–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Summit. This gathering is positioned as a strategic forum to bolster connectivity and economic cooperation within the Southeast Asian subregion.
During the visit, President Prabowo is expected to discuss deepening cooperation among ASEAN member states, particularly in addressing contemporary global dynamics. "A number of issues to be discussed include global developments impacting the region, efforts to maintain energy security, and strengthening coordination in responding to geopolitical shifts," according to a press release from the Presidential Secretariat.
Under the theme "Navigating Our Future Together," this year's summit provides a platform for ASEAN leaders to chart the region's course amidst mounting global pressures.
The gathering of regional leaders is also intended to reinforce solidarity in maintaining stability, economic growth, and strategic cooperation across multiple sectors.
The Summit of Heads of State is scheduled for Friday, May 8, 2026. Prior to this, several Foreign Ministers’ Meetings will take place on Thursday, May 7, including the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the ASEAN Political-Security Community Council Meeting, the ASEAN Coordinating Council Meeting, and the ASEAN Joint Foreign and Economic Ministers’ Meeting.
Minister Bahlil Lahadalia confirmed Prabowo’s travel plans to Cebu yesterday. "God willing, the President will attend the ASEAN Summit in the Philippines, as they are the host," Bahlil said, as quoted by Antara on Wednesday, May 6, 2026.
According to Bahlil, Prabowo will focus on at least two primary topics during the summit: food and energy security.
Bahlil specifically highlighted nickel as a key energy commodity for Indonesia in upcoming discussions. He noted that Indonesia remains one of the few Southeast Asian nations with a fully integrated nickel battery ecosystem, spanning from upstream extraction to downstream production.
Sultan Abdurrahman and Adinda Jasmine contributed to this report.
Read: ASEAN Yet to Recognize Myanmar Election Result, Philippines Says
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