Why in the news?

• Malaysia handed over the chairmanship of ASEAN to the Philippines , with territorial disputes in the South China Sea set to dominate its agenda when Manila takes charge in 2026.

Philippines

• Location: It is an archipelagic country in Southeast Asia which is situated in the western Pacific Ocean
• Capital: Manila
• Bordering Waterbodies: South China Sea, Philippine Sea, Celebes Sea.
• Maritime Border Countries: Taiwan, Japan, Palau, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and China.
• Highest mountain: Mount Apo
• Geographical Significance: Situated on the western fringes of the Pacific Ring of Fire and it is a seismically active zone
• Climate: Tropical maritime climate that is usually hot and humid.
• International Cooperation
  • Philippines is a founding member of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), and is a member of the East Asia Summit, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, the Group of 24, and the Non-Aligned Movement.
  • The Philippines has claims in the Spratly Islands which overlap with claims by China, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam