NAYPYIDAW, Myanmar – The 25th ASEAN Summit begins in Myanmar. Natashya Gutierrez is in Naypyidaw and tells us what to expect.

Myanmar again welcomes some of the world’s most powerful leaders as it hosts the 25th ASEAN summit here at the capital, Naypyidaw.

Aside from President Benigno Aquino III, Among the expected guests, are US president Barack Obama, newly elected Indonesian president Joko Wodowo, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, and Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

The leaders are expected to focus on the ASEAN economic integration aimed for 2015, as well as push for a Code of Conduct on the South China Sea. Other issues will include the threat of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria and the Ebola outbreak.

Eyes are also on the host country itself, Myanmar after opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi warned democratic reforms are stalling in the country, less than a year before the 2015 national elections. At the end of the summit, Myanmar will hand chairmanship over to Malaysia.

The summit marks the final chance for ASEAN nations to reach a breakthrough this year on key regional issues – especially greater ASEAN connectivity. This, against a backdrop of competing dominance  over the region between China and the United States. Natashya Gutierrez, Rappler, Naypyidaw.

– Rappler.com