Angelina Jolie set to visit Manila for 2026 ASEAN Inclusive Growth Summit

ASM, Philippine Canadian Inquirer
November 07, 2026

Photo courtesy: Britannica

MANILA, Philippines — Hollywood actress and humanitarian Angelina Jolie is coming to Manila on November 11 as a featured speaker at the 2026 ASEAN Inclusive Growth Summit.

The Academy Award-winning actress will join leaders from business, government, civil society and philanthropy to discuss economic opportunities and inclusive development across Southeast Asia.

The Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth confirmed Jolie’s participation in the summit, which will take place at Shangri-La The Fort in Manila.

Jolie to discuss Cambodia’s resilience and recovery

Jolie will join Cambodian filmmaker Rithy Panh for a discussion titled From Memory to Possibility: Cambodia, Courage and the Power of Staying.

Shamina Singh, founder and president of the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, will moderate the conversation.

The discussion will explore Cambodia’s recovery from decades of conflict and the importance of working with local communities to create lasting change.

Jolie and Panh previously collaborated on First They Killed My Father, the 2017 historical drama directed by Jolie. The film tells the story of a young girl’s experiences under Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge regime.

Their conversation will also examine how long-term partnerships can support communities, particularly women and families.

From Hollywood to humanitarian work

Beyond her acting career, Jolie has spent more than two decades advocating for refugees, displaced families and vulnerable communities.

She served as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) from 2001 to 2012.

She later became the agency’s Special Envoy, a position she held until December 2022.

During her work with UNHCR, Jolie completed more than 60 field missions to raise awareness of humanitarian crises and the needs of displaced populations.

Her upcoming appearance in Manila will bring that experience to discussions about development, inclusion and community resilience.

Lea Salonga and other Filipino personalities join the summit

Jolie will share the summit’s speaker lineup with internationally acclaimed Filipina singer and actress Lea Salonga.

Other Filipino participants include fashion designer Rajo Laurel, former beauty queen and entrepreneur Kylie Verzosa, and Trade Secretary Cristina Roque.

Business leaders and representatives from regional organizations will also participate in discussions about economic growth and opportunities across ASEAN.

The summit will cover financial inclusion, digital technology, artificial intelligence, tourism, entrepreneurship and the creative economy.

Manila hosts regional discussions on inclusive growth

The 2026 ASEAN Inclusive Growth Summit carries the theme Resilient and Rising.

Organized by the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth in partnership with the ASEAN Business Advisory Council Philippines, the event will bring together speakers from across Southeast Asia and beyond.

Organizers have scheduled 30 sessions featuring 51 speakers.

The discussions will focus on ways to expand economic opportunities while helping communities and businesses respond to regional challenges.

The summit will take place on Wednesday, November 11, at Shangri-La The Fort, Manila.

Further details, including the program and list of speakers, are available on the official 2026 ASEAN Inclusive Growth Summit website.