Cebu, Philippines – Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) leaders are expected to adopt a joint statement on energy security and regional economic resilience as Southeast Asian nations grapple with the effects of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, an official said.
During a press briefing on Wednesday, May 6,for the 48th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings in Cebu, ASEAN 2026 spokesperson Dominic Xavier Imperial said energy security remains a top priority under the Philippine chairmanship this year.
Imperial said regional leaders are expected to discuss “concrete actions amid the impact of the ongoing tensions in the Middle East,” particularly on energy supply, food security, and economic stability in the region.
“The ASEAN leaders’ statement on the response to the Middle East crisis,which emanates from the two ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting convened by the Philippines in response to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East back in March and just recently in April,” said Imperial.
“The leaders’ statement outlines ASEAN’s collective response to the crisis while building the foundations for stronger coordination in future emergencies. While leaders focus on these three important priorities during the 48th ASEAN Summit,” he added.
Trade Undersecretary Allan Gepty said the delegates are also expected to push stronger regional coordination on supply chains, energy connectivity, and economic resilience.
Gepty said economic ministers have been closely coordinating ahead of the leaders’ summit as concerns over fuel prices and possible supply disruptions continue to impact Southeast Asian economies.
The Philippines, the 2026 ASEAN chairman, has repeatedly raised concerns over the impact of the Middle East crisis on fuel prices, inflation, and electricity costs.
Malacañang said this year’s summit would focus on energy security, food security, and the protection of ASEAN nationals amid growing geopolitical instability.
The summit in Cebu is also expected to tackle broader regional issues, including maritime cooperation, economic integration, and developments in the Indo-Pacific region.
In a separate virtual briefing early this week, Trade Secretary and ASEAN Economic Community Council chairperson Cristina Roque said ASEAN economic ministers are advancing the ratification of the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Petroleum Security (APSA), which seeks to establish coordinated emergency fuel sharing and collective responses to supply disruptions.
“APSA is being pursued to enable coordinated emergency fuel sharing and collective responses to supply disruption,” Roque said.
She added that ASEAN is also accelerating discussions on the ASEAN Power Grid initiative and renewable energy investments to strengthen long-term regional energy resilience.
“ASEAN is united not only in its assessment of the situation, but also in its response. Ministers agreed that addressing issues, particularly on energy, food, and supply chains, are regional in nature. And because they are regional, they require a coordinated regional response,” Roque said.
