Manila, Oct. 29 -- The United States Mission to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has welcomed the Philippines' upcoming chairship of the bloc next year.

"We now welcome the Philippines as the ASEAN Chair for 2026. (We look) forward to working together to drive growth, create opportunities, and deepen ties that benefit both America and the region," it said on Wednesday.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. formally accepted from Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim the bloc's chairship this year during a turnover ceremony in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Oct. 28.

As chair, Marcos said the Philippines will steer the bloc towards initiatives that would "fortify peace and security anchors, strengthen prosperity corridors, and...