ASEAN Summit Opens; Philippine President Calls for Cooperation on Middle East Conflict Impact

The 48th ASEAN Summit commenced in Cebu, Philippines, with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. calling for unified action to mitigate the impact of the escalating Middle East conflict. He stressed the importance of ensuring energy resilience, food security, and the safety of overseas Filipino workers and other ASEAN nationals affected by the crisis. President Marcos Jr. expressed serious concern over the armed conflict between Israel, the US, and Iran, noting its significant disruptions to global maritime and air transport, energy supplies, and the flow of essential goods. He emphasized the need for practical cooperation among ASEAN members to maintain regional stability and ASEAN centrality amidst geopolitical tensions. Key priorities outlined include enhancing energy security through diversification and renewable energy, stabilizing food supply chains via intra-ASEAN trade, and improving mechanisms for protecting nationals abroad and providing humanitarian aid. The President also encouraged the use of AI and other emerging technologies to address these challenges and promoted enhanced maritime cooperation.