Southeast Asian economic ministers are accelerating regional energy cooperation, fast-tracking the ASEAN Power Grid and the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA) to cushion the bloc against mounting fuel and power risks.
Trade Secretary Cristina Roque, chair of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Council, said the push reflects growing urgency to shore up energy resilience amid global volatility, including recent tensions in the Middle East.
“ASEAN is advancing the ratification of the APSA to enable coordinated emergency fuel sharing and collective responses to supply disruptions,” Roque said after a special AEC meeting on April 30.
She added that ministers are placing renewed emphasis on the long-delayed ASEAN Power Grid, a cornerstone project designed to expand cross-border electricity trade. “Stronger energy connectivity will allow ASEAN to share resources more efficiently and build resilience against external shocks,” Roque said, citing parallel discussions among regional energy ministers, including Philippine Energy Secretary Sharon Garin.
As current chair, the Philippines is also pushing to speed up approvals for renewable energy investments and deepen public-private collaboration to expand capacity and modernize infrastructure.
Beyond energy, ministers reaffirmed commitments to keep trade flows open, avoid export curbs on critical goods, and accelerate upgrades to regional free trade agreements. They also highlighted steps to strengthen food security, stabilize supply chains, and support micro, small, and medium enterprises.
Roque said the initiatives will be consolidated into a joint statement for submission at the upcoming ASEAN Summit in Cebu, framing a coordinated response to economic and energy uncertainties.
“ASEAN is stronger when it acts together, especially in times of uncertainty,” she said, underscoring the bloc’s focus on practical cooperation to sustain growth and safeguard energy security.
