Global and regional economic developments, ASEAN High-Level Task Force governance issues, the Philippines' Priority Economic Deliverables and AEC Monitoring and Evaluation were among the matters discussed during the 49th Meeting of the ASEAN High-Level Task Force on Economic Integration, HLTF EI. The meeting took place on 26th to 27th of February at Iloilo City, Philippines.

Leading the delegation was Dr. Hajah May Fa'ezah binti Haji Ahmad Ariffin, Permanent Secretary for Economy, Trade and Industry at the Ministry of Finance and Economy. The meeting also agreed on recommendations to be submitted to the ASEAN Economic Ministers, AEM. HLTF EI serves as the advisory body of ASEAN Economic Ministers and the ASEAN Economic Community Council, where the Meeting was held as part of the Philippines Chairship of ASEAN this year, under the theme “Navigating Our Future, Together". The ASEAN High-Level Task Force on Economic Integration is expected to convene its next meeting in August 2026.