Securing Southeast Asia's
Shared Future
YSEALI Summit 2026 is a regional forum for Southeast Asian professionals to exchange perspectives, work through shared security priorities, and identify areas for practical cooperation across ASEAN.
YSEALI Summit 2026
An in-person regional summit in Metro Manila, Philippines. Alumni of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) from all 11 ASEAN countries are eligible to apply.
Held from November 30 to December 5, 2026, the Summit focuses on the shared security issues shaping the region, including maritime security, cybersecurity, energy security, and related economic security concerns.
Through plenary sessions, expert discussions, field exposure, action plan labs, public engagement, and post-summit support, participants will connect regional issues with the work they already do in their countries and communities.
Regional Security Briefings
Hear from experts on Indo-Pacific security, with a focus on maritime security, cybersecurity, energy security, and related economic security fields.
Site Visits
See the Summit’s focus areas on the ground through site visits connected to regional security and cooperation.
Action Plan Labs
Work in teams to develop regional and country-level plans that respond to shared security issues and set out clear next steps.
Mentorship and Peer Consultation
Work with mentors, speakers, and peers from the United States and Southeast Asia to test ideas, sharpen plans, and prepare them for implementation.
U.S.–ASEAN Futures Fair
Present action plans to university students, U.S. companies, diplomats, and public audiences through showcases, forums, and exhibits.
Micro-Grant Pathway
A micro-grant opportunity will be available after the Summit to support selected action plans and follow-up activities.
Program Timeline
Pre-Summit Engagement
Participants will join a virtual orientation and two pre-summit webinars on security priorities, Program expectations, and action planning. The sessions will prepare participants for Manila and begin work they will continue at the Summit.
In-Person Summit
Participants will take part in plenary sessions, expert discussions, working groups, site visits, action plan labs, mentorship, and public engagement. The Summit will connect regional security issues with practical collaboration across sectors and countries.
Post-Summit Action
Selected teams will continue developing and implementing their action plans with micro-grant support and mentorship. Follow-up activities will track progress, share lessons from implementation, and extend collaboration beyond the Summit across the YSEALI network.
Regional Security is Connected to Everyday Systems
YSEALI Summit 2026 focuses on security challenges that affect how people, economies, and institutions cooperate across Southeast Asia.
International Affairs and Regional Cooperation
Connecting security issues to diplomacy, public understanding, cooperation with the United States, and practical actions YSEALI alumni can take together.
Maritime Security
Understanding the role of sea lanes, maritime domain awareness, safe conduct at sea, and regional cooperation in protecting stability and economic activity.
Cybersecurity
Exploring how digital threats, cyber-enabled crime, such as online scams, affect public trust and economic security.
Energy Security
Examining how reliable energy systems, critical infrastructure, and infrastructure protection support stable societies and reduce vulnerabilities.
U.S.–ASEAN Futures Fair:
Taking Summit Ideas into Public Conversation
The U.S.–ASEAN Futures Fair brings Summit participants together with university students, U.S. company representatives, diplomats, and regional stakeholders in Metro Manila.
Through showcases, discussions, and exhibits, the Fair brings Summit ideas to a broader public audience and connects regional security priorities with practical cooperation across Southeast Asia.
U.S.–ASEAN and U.S.–Philippines Relations Features
Trace key moments in 80 years of the U.S.–Philippines diplomatic relations and 50 years of U.S.–ASEAN relations through public displays and a visual history of the partnership.
Thematic Forums
Join discussions on regional cooperation in maritime security, cybersecurity, energy security, and related disciplines.
Action Plan Showcase
Summit participants will form teams to design action plans, share them with Futures Fair participants, and pitch them on stage to expert judges.
Mark your Calendar
Applications open
Applications close
Selected participants announced
Virtual pre-departure orientation and two pre-summit webinars
YSEALI Summit 2026 in Metro Manila, Philippines
Post-summit action plan implementation
Eligibility
YSEALI Summit 2026 is open to early- and mid-career professionals who meet all of the following requirements:
Selection is competitive and merit-based. Applications will be reviewed based on eligibility, relevant experience, leadership potential, communication ability, and demonstrated commitment to regional security, resilience, and cooperation.
Contribute Your Expertise to Regional Security Cooperation
YSEALI Summit 2026 invites early- and mid-career professionals across Southeast Asia to apply their expertise to shared regional security priorities and strengthen cooperation across borders.
Everything you need to know before applying
Who can apply for YSEALI Summit 2026?
YSEALI Summit 2026 is open to YSEALI alumni who are citizens and residents of one of the 11 YSEALI member countries: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, or Vietnam. Applicants must have at least two years of professional experience in areas related to maritime security, cybersecurity, energy security, related economic security disciplines, or international relations or international affairs.
Do I need to live in a YSEALI member country to apply?
Yes. Applicants must currently reside in one of the 11 YSEALI member countries listed in the eligibility criteria.
Is there an age requirement?
There is no minimum or maximum age requirement. The Summit is designed for early- to mid-career professionals with at least two years of relevant professional experience, leadership potential, and the ability to contribute actively to regional security discussions and action planning.
What professional background is most relevant?
Competitive applicants will have experience or active involvement in one or more of the Summit’s focus areas, including maritime security, cybersecurity, energy security, related economic security fields, international relations, or international affairs.
Do I need to attend the full program?
Yes. Selected participants are expected to join the full program, including the virtual pre-departure orientation, two webinars in November 2026, and the in-person Summit in Metro Manila from November 30 to December 5, 2026. Participants should also be available for any required travel, arrival, departure, and logistics arrangements connected to the Summit schedule.
What is the U.S.–ASEAN Futures Fair?
The U.S.–ASEAN Futures Fair is the Summit’s public engagement event in Metro Manila, bringing YSEALI Summit 2026 participants together with university students, diplomats, speakers, and partners through action plan showcases, thematic forums, U.S. company exhibits, and features on U.S.–ASEAN and U.S.–Philippines relations. Students will have opportunities to engage directly with participants and respond to the ideas presented.
What happens after the Summit?
After the Summit, micro-grant support may be available to support the implementation of selected action plans. Progress and follow-up activities may also be featured through post-Summit communications and reporting.
What travel arrangements should I prepare for?
Participants must be available to meet all travel and logistical requirements associated with the Summit schedule. Detailed arrival, departure, and travel arrangements will be provided to selected participants in the official acceptance materials.
What counts as YSEALI alumni experience?
Applicants must have completed at least one eligible YSEALI program, including the YSEALI Academic Fellowship (AFP), Professional Fellowship (PFP), Regional Workshop, Women’s Leadership Academy (WLA), Seeds for the Future competition, YSEALI Summit, YSEALI Fulbright Academy, or another YSEALI international exchange program.
When do applications open?
Applications open on September 14, 2026.
When is the application deadline?
Applications close on October 2, 2026.
When will selected participants be announced?
Selected participants are expected to be announced in early November 2026.
How will applications be reviewed?
Selection is competitive and merit-based. Applications will be reviewed based on eligibility, relevant professional experience, leadership and communication skills, demonstrated commitment to regional security and resilience, and the applicant’s ability to contribute to post-Summit activities. U.S. Missions in participating ASEAN countries will review and approve applicant shortlists for their respective countries.
Is there an application fee?
No. There is no application fee to apply for YSEALI Summit 2026.
Can I use AI tools whe preparing my application?
Applicants may use AI tools to assist with grammar, wording, paraphrasing, or clarity. However, all ideas, professional experiences, examples, and substantive responses must be the applicant’s own and must accurately reflect their background and work.
Applications may be reviewed for consistency, specificity, and alignment with the information provided elsewhere in the application. Responses that appear fabricated, overly generic, or not grounded in the applicant’s actual experience may not proceed in the selection process.