In Bali, Indonesia, satay takes on a distinctive form. Instead of threading pieces of meat onto skewers, Sate Lilit is made from finely minced fish and shrimp mixed with grated coconut and a fragrant blend of Balinese spices. The mixture is carefully wrapped around a stalk of lemongrass or a bamboo skewer before being grilled over charcoal. The word lilit means “to wrap” in Balinese, describing the technique that gives the dish its distinctive shape. Sate Lilit is often enjoyed with sambal matah, a fresh Balinese condiment made with sliced shallots, chillies, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and lime juice. Its fresh, spicy, and tangy flavours complement the rich and smoky taste of the grilled sate. #TableforEleven

The inaugural ASEAN Senior Officials’ of the Prosecutors/Attorneys General Meeting (SOM-APAGM) convened today in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, to discuss ways to strengthen ASEAN prosecutorial cooperation and prepare for the inaugural ASEAN Prosecutors/Attorneys General Meeting (APAGM) scheduled to take place on 20 October 2026.

Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, delivered pre-recorded opening remarks at the 2026 ASEAN Green Jobs Forum on 19–20 October 2026 in Manila, the Philippines. He called for ASEAN to move from regional commitments to coordinated implementation by strengthening green and digital skills, linking training with employment and social protection, and aligning green skilling efforts across sectors. Dr. Kao also underscored the importance of social dialogue and partnerships in ensuring that green investment creates decent work and shared prosperity across ASEAN. Watch the full remarks: youtu.be/n8eEFcWF2io

As Country Coordinator for the ASEAN–China Dialogue Partnership, Malaysia plays an important role in facilitating dialogue, coordinating engagement, and advancing partnership priorities between ASEAN and China during 2024-2027. Through close coordination with ASEAN Member States, China, and the ASEAN Secretariat, the Country Coordinator supports the effective implementation of cooperation across the political-security, economic, and socio-cultural pillars. #ASEANDialoguePartnersCooperation

On 14 October 2026, the ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology, and Innovation (COSTI), in partnership with the US-ASEAN Business Council, UL Research Institutes, and UL Standards & Engagement, proudly announces the winners of the 2026 UL Research Institutes’ ASEAN-U.S. Science Prize for Women. The 2026 Mid-Career Scientist Award was presented to Dr. Ha Thi Thanh Huong of Viet Nam for her research in the use of AI in brain health. The Senior Scientist Award goes to Dr. Joanne Ngeow of Singapore for her work in AI-enabled precision cancer prevention. Additionally, Dr. Latifah Nurahmi of Indonesia and Dr. Wai Yie Leong of Malaysia received Honorable Mentions for their impactful contributions in AI in healthcare. The 2026 Science Prize Committee wishes to congratulate all Winners and Honorable Mentions! Photo credit: Ministry of Science and Technology of Viet Nam

Fish Amok is a traditional Khmer dish that combines fish with kroeung, a fragrant herb-and-spice paste made from lemongrass, galangal, turmeric, and kaffir lime leaves. Mixed with coconut milk and egg, the fish is gently steamed until the mixture develops a soft, custard-like texture. Traditionally, people steam Fish Amok in banana leaf cups, which also give the dish its distinctive presentation. Freshwater fish has long been central to Cambodia’s food culture, supported by the country’s rivers and lakes. Together with the aromatic kroeung, it brings together ingredients and flavours characteristic of Khmer cuisine. #TableforEleven

At the invitation of H.E. Datin Seri Paduka Hajah Nor Hashimah binti Haji Mohammed Taib, Attorney General and Public Prosecutor of Brunei Darussalam, Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, will lead the ASEAN Secretariat’s delegation to participate in the Inaugural ASEAN Prosecutors/Attorneys General Meeting (APAGM), to be held in Jerudong, Brunei Darussalam, on 20 October 2026. The Inaugural Meeting of APAGM, as a newly established ASEAN Sectoral Ministerial Body, is expected to discuss issues of common interest and concern of ASEAN Member States in fostering their prosecutorial cooperation to strengthen ASEAN’s collective capacity to combat transnational crimes, thereby contributing to the promotion of the rule of law, rules-based ASEAN and the realisation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.

ASEAN and China share a longstanding Comprehensive Strategic Partnership encompassing political-security, economic, socio-cultural, connectivity, and development cooperation.   Since Dialogue Relations began in 1991, both sides have worked together to promote regional peace and stability, strengthen economic integration, advance sustainable development, and deepen connections among their peoples.   As ASEAN and China commemorate the fifth anniversary of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership this year, both sides continue to build on more than three decades of cooperation and pursue meaningful outcomes for the ASEAN Community.   #ASEANDialoguePartnersCooperation

Known for its sticky and stretchy texture, ambuyat is one of Brunei Darussalam’s most distinctive traditional dishes. Made from starch extracted from the trunk of the rumbia, or sago palm, ambuyat is prepared by mixing the starch with hot water and stirring it until it becomes thick, smooth, and sticky. While ambuyat has a mild taste on its own, people traditionally enjoy it with cacah, a sour or spicy dipping sauce, alongside dishes such as fish, meat, and vegetables. People eat it with candas, a V-shaped bamboo utensil used to twirl the ambuyat before dipping it into the sauce. #TableforEleven

Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Economic Community, Satvinder Singh, undertook a consultative visit to Singapore on 15 October 2026 in preparation for Singapore’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2027. During the visit, he called on Minister of State Gan Siow Huang and met with officials from 10 ministries and agencies to discuss preparations for the economic pillar, including Singapore’s proposed Priority Economic Deliverables and Annual Milestone Deliverables. The discussions focused on advancing ASEAN economic integration, aligning the proposed deliverables with the AEC Strategic Plan 2026–2030, and strengthening coordination to support their implementation. DSG Satvinder Singh reaffirmed the ASEAN Secretariat’s readiness to support Singapore in preparing for its Chairmanship, which will coincide with ASEAN’s 60th anniversary. Photo credit: Ministry of Energy, Trade and Industry (METI) of Singapore

On World Food Day, we celebrate not only the food on our tables, but also the stories, traditions, and communities behind our Southeast Asian dishes. The recipes that have been passed down through generations, carrying ingredients shaped by local landscapes, have shaped our very own food culture. Stay tuned as we explore some of the palates of the 11 ASEAN Member States through Table for Eleven! #TableforEleven

The 2nd Sub-Regional Baseline Data Validation Workshop for the ASCC Strategic Plan was convened on 8–9 October 2026 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The workshop brought together representatives of the Ad Hoc Working Group to Develop the ASCC Strategic Plan (AHWG) and ASCC Sectoral Bodies from Brunei Darussalam, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. Through breakout sessions, participants reviewed the preliminary baseline values for the ASCC Strategic Plan’s Results Framework and verified data sources. The workshop also served as a venue for participants to identify national data sources to address data gaps for KPIs without baseline values. The workshop was organised as part of the Development of the ASCC Results Framework and Baselining of the ASCC Strategic Plan project supported by the Government of Australia through the Australia for ASEAN Futures Initiative (Aus4ASEAN). #ASEAN #ASCC #ASCCStrategicPlan #Aus4ASEAN

Joint Summary of the Working Visit by H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, to the Russian Federation At the invitation of Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, H.E. Sergey Lavrov, Secretary-General of ASEAN, H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, undertook a working visit to Moscow, the Russian Federation, from 13 to 15 October 2026. The visit took place in conjunction with the 35th anniversary of ASEAN-Russia relations and the 30th anniversary of the ASEAN-Russia Dialogue Partnership, following the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit held in Kazan, in June 2026. It provided an opportunity to follow up on the outcomes of the Commemorative Summit, advance the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan of Action to Implement the ASEAN-Russian Federation Strategic Partnership (2026-2030), exchange views on regional and global developments, and explore avenues for strengthening practical cooperation. During the visit, the Secretary-General held discussions with senior Russian officials on ASEAN-Russia cooperation, including the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan of Action for 2026-2030, with a focus on political security cooperation, digital transformation, science, technology and innovation, higher education, youth, energy, agriculture and food security, disaster management, and economic cooperation, as well as regional and international developments.  These engagements included meetings with H.E. Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation; H.E. Dr. Anton Kobyakov, Adviser to the President of the Russian Federation; H.E. Dr. Valery Falkov, Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation; H.E. Sergey Tsivilev, Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation; H.E. Bella Cherkesova, Deputy Minister of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media of the Russian Federation; H.E. Maxim Markovich, Deputy Minister of Agriculture of the Russian Federation; and H.E. Dr. Anatoly Suprunovsky, Deputy Minister for Civil Defence, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters of the Russian Federation. Read the full Joint Statement: asean.org/joint-summary-of-t…

Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, on 15 October 2026, held a bilateral meeting with the Deputy Minister for Civil Defence, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters (EMERCOM) of the Russian Federation, H.E. Anatoly Suprunovsky, in Moscow, on the sidelines of his working visit to Russia. The two sides discussed progress in ASEAN–Russia cooperation on disaster management and explored ways to further strengthen cooperation in line with the Memorandum of Understanding between ASEAN and the Russian Federation on Cooperation in the Field of Disaster Management and the Comprehensive Plan of Action to Implement the ASEAN–Russian Federation Strategic Partnership (2026–2030).

Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, on 15 October 2026, met with the Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation, H.E. Sergei Tsivilev, in Moscow, on the sidelines of his working visit to Russia. They exchanged views on advancing the implementation of the ASEAN–Russia Energy Cooperation Work Plan 2026–2030 and on translating the outcomes of the 2026 ASEAN–Russia Commemorative Summit and the Joint Statement on Energy Cooperation into concrete cooperation activities under the established ASEAN–Russia energy cooperation framework.