2nd ASEAN Women Economic Summit set for Nov. 10 at Okada Manila
The 2nd ASEAN Women Economic Summit will be held on 10 Nov 2026 at Okada Manila, Philippines, under the theme “Weaving the ASEAN Future: Women Driving Innovation, Integration, and Inclusion.” The event includes a trade expo, business-matching activities, and the BABAE Awards dinner.
The 2nd ASEAN Women Economic Summit (AWES) will take place on 10 Nov 2026 at the Grand Ballroom of Okada Manila, the Philippines, with the theme “Weaving the ASEAN Future: Women Driving Innovation, Integration, and Inclusion.” The summit, which coincides with the Philippines’ chairmanship of ASEAN — an opportunity that comes once every 11 years, with the next in 2037 — aims to turn women’s economic empowerment into concrete action.
Women Biz Chair Rhoda Caliwara said: “Women don’t need another conference to demonstrate how capable and empowered they are. What they need are opportunities: access to bigger markets, technology, business networks, and a fair chance to compete.” The summit will bring together policymakers, business leaders, investors, and entrepreneurs to discuss digital transformation, cross-border trade, artificial intelligence, sustainable and climate-resilient industries, access to finance, and opportunities for women-led enterprises to join regional and global value chains.
Running alongside the summit is the ASEAN Trade Expo on 10-12 Nov 2026, also at Okada Manila. Chaired by Airspeed Group founder Rosemarie Rafael, with co-chairs Ms. Myrna Yao and designer Ivy Almario, the three-day event will showcase ASEAN’s cultural heritage, craftsmanship, and innovation. It will feature business-matching activities for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to expand into new markets. Exhibits include Indonesia’s Alleira batik silk, Cambodia’s Khmer Hoi silk, Brunei’s gold brocade, Timor-Leste’s Tais Buna, Vietnam’s Ao Dai silk, Malaysia’s Songket, Laos’ Sinh brocade, and Singapore’s Sarong Kebaya. The Philippines will feature T’nalak from the T’boli, Yakan weaving from Basilan, Inabel from Ilocos, Aklan piña weaving, and other works from the Amazing Weaves Distinction Award (AWDA). Winners representing Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao will be crowned on 11 Nov.
Speakers at the summit include Datuk (Dr.) Hafsah Hashim of Malaysia’s Women’s Leadership Foundation, Kunihiko Hirabayashi of the ASEAN-Japan Centre, Andrew Jeffries of the Asian Development Bank, and Mariana Zobel de Ayala of Ayala Corp. The BABAE Awards formal dinner will honour five outstanding Filipinas, with a performance by Ballet Philippines. Women Biz Treasurer Ida Tiongson added that a curated dining experience will be prepared by three Okada Manila chefs.
The summit is led by Chair Caliwara and Women Biz President Rosemarie Bosch Ong, with committee chairs including Salve Ibañez (communications), Ida Tiongson (finance), Cathy Saldaña (logistics), Evelyn Singson (protocol), Jen Tongco (registration), Mylene Abiva (program), and Noya Terrado (risk management). Ong stated her vision is “an ASEAN where women are not just part of the economic conversation but are among those shaping its direction and defining its future.” Caliwara hopes AWES will be remembered for “the opportunities that continue long after Nov. 10.”
