From Linda Khoo
CEBU, May 7 (Bernama) -- ASEAN foreign ministers convened in Cebu on Thursday, with discussions centred on the conflict in West Asia and its spillover effects on energy security, food supply and regional economies.
Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro chaired the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM), which served as a key preparatory session ahead of the 48th ASEAN Summit on Friday.
In her opening remarks, she warned that the crisis had exposed ASEAN’s vulnerability to global shocks and strained regional energy security.
She said the conflict had disrupted energy flows, trade routes and food supply chains, while also placing millions of ASEAN nationals in West Asia at risk, underscoring the urgent need for stronger regional crisis coordination and institutional preparedness.
“For ASEAN, which imports about 66 per cent of its crude oil, the crisis has resulted in significant increases in fuel and energy costs, eventually driving up prices of food, agricultural inputs and basic commodities.
“The crisis has also disrupted several sectors, including transportation and tourism, while putting millions of ASEAN nationals in West Asia at risk,” she said.
Despite the mounting challenges, Lazaro said ASEAN remained committed to advancing long-term regional priorities under the Philippines’ chairship theme, “Navigating Our Future, Together”, including Timor-Leste’s integration process, ASEAN external relations and efforts to implement the Five-Point Consensus (5PC) on Myanmar.
Meanwhile, Lazaro also briefed her counterparts on the latest developments in Myanmar in her role as Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair.
Her briefing covered the evolving political and humanitarian situation on the ground, as well as efforts to implement ASEAN’s 5PC, in line with decisions taken by ASEAN leaders in 2025.
The meeting reaffirmed ASEAN’s commitment to remaining a united, resilient and forward-looking community amid mounting global uncertainty, including the escalating crisis in West Asia and its ripple effects across Southeast Asia.
In her remarks, Lazaro called on fellow ministers to remain steadfast and sustain momentum on ASEAN’s shared regional agenda.
In a statement, the Media Secretariat of the 48th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings said the AMM served as a key preparatory session ahead of the summit, where ministers reviewed progress in ASEAN community-building initiatives.
The discussions included preparations for the commemorative activities marking the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), scheduled for July 2026, as well as Timor-Leste’s ongoing integration following its formal admission into ASEAN.
-- BERNAMA
