FOREIGN AND ECONOMIC LEADERS ALIGN ON ENERGY SECURITY, FOOD RESILIENCE AND REGIONAL STABILITY
CEBU, 7 May 2026 — Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro and Ma. Cristina A. Roque co-chaired the Joint ASEAN Foreign and Economic Ministers’ Meeting, in their respective capacities as Chairs of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) and ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting (AEM).
The meeting focused on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and its implications for ASEAN, following the First and Second Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meetings held virtually on 13 March and 13 April 2026. Those earlier discussions were convened in response to the rapidly evolving situation and reflected ASEAN’s shared concern over escalating tensions in the region.
Guided by the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairship theme, “Navigating our Future, Together,” the Foreign and Economic Ministers reaffirmed their collective call for all parties to exercise utmost restraint and to pursue diplomatic dialogue and negotiation as the only sustainable path towards peace and stability in the Middle East.
During the discussions, Ministers exchanged views on the wider regional implications of the crisis and identified practical response measures aimed at strengthening ASEAN’s resilience. Proposed initiatives included diversifying energy sources, suppliers, and trade routes; enhancing food monitoring systems, preparedness, and information-sharing mechanisms; and strengthening intra-ASEAN trade, investment, and supply chains.
The meeting also explored the establishment of a ministerial-level crisis communication protocol designed to ensure more coherent, timely, and coordinated responses to future regional and global crises.
ASEAN further committed to intensifying coordination among relevant sectoral bodies, highlighting the importance of cross-pillar cooperation across the Political-Security, Economic, and Socio-Cultural pillars of the ASEAN Community in addressing shared challenges effectively.
A key outcome of the meeting was the endorsement for adoption at the upcoming 48th ASEAN Summit of an ASEAN Leaders’ Statement on the Response to the Middle East Crisis, which aims to consolidate ASEAN’s unified regional response.
Source: DFA Philippine
