International
RCEP Ministers Meet in Manila, Agree to Launch Upgrade Talks and Open Accession Process
PHNOM PENH — Sept. 22, 2026: Trade ministers from ASEAN, Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand and the Republic of Korea gathered in Manila on Sept. 21 for the Fifth RCEP Ministers' Meeting, adopting a joint statement that sets the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership on a path toward expansion and reform.
The meeting was co-chaired by H.E. Diah Roro Esti Widya Putri, Vice Minister of Trade of Indonesia, and the Honourable Dr. Shane Reti, MP, of New Zealand.
Ministers exchanged views on global and regional economic developments and underscored the importance of strengthening RCEP implementation, deepening trade and investment ties and building economic resilience. They reaffirmed their commitment to promoting the Agreement so that businesses — including micro, small and medium enterprises — can use it effectively.
The Meeting reaffirmed its commitment to an open, free, fair and rules-based multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core, and pledged to refrain from measures inconsistent with RCEP obligations. It also backed WTO reform.
On accession, ministers approved the RCEP Joint Committee's recommendation to establish an ad hoc Accession Working Group to advance the applications of Bangladesh, Chile, Hong Kong, China and Sri Lanka. They also noted Uruguay's interest, expressed in February 2026, which will be given due consideration.
The Meeting welcomed the start of work on the 2027 General Review of the RCEP Agreement — the "RCEP Upgrade" — and tasked the Joint Committee to begin a Joint Scoping Paper. Ministers expect to endorse the paper and announce the launch of the Upgrade at the 2027 RCEP Ministers' Meeting.
The Meeting also welcomed the launch of the official RCEP website at https://rcepsec.org/, and expressed appreciation for economic and technical cooperation initiatives by Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand and the Republic of Korea, as well as analytical support from ERIA.
Source: ASEAN Secretariat
Reported by The Khmer Today
