Manila, Sept. 11 -- The Philippines is pushing tighter regional cooperation among ASEAN member states, urging them to work more closely and respond more decisively to common regional challenges as it prepares for the 49th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits in November.

The Philippines, as ASEAN chair, has brought together senior officials from ASEAN member states, China, Japan and South Korea on Wednesday for back-to-back meetings aimed at strengthening regional cooperation, building resilience and preparing agreements and other outcomes for consideration by ASEAN leaders later this year, according to a news release Friday.

The ASEAN Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM), chaired by Philippine SOM Leader...