ASEAN leaders are expected to issue a unified statement on the Middle East at the 40th ASEAN Summit tomorrow, outlining both a regional position and a framework for addressing future crises, Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro said.
“At the Summit, our focus will be on the most urgent priorities: energy security, food security, and the safety of ASEAN nationals,” Lazaro said during the Joint ASEAN Foreign and Economic Ministers’ Meeting on Thursday. “The Leaders’ Statement will reflect a unified position and lay the groundwork for responding to future crises.”
She thanked Economic Ministers for their participation, noting that their presence underscores a shared sense of urgency in advancing ASEAN’s common objectives.
Lazaro warned that two months after heightened Middle East tensions involving military actions by key regional and global actors, uncertainty persists over de-escalation and sustained diplomacy. She reiterated ASEAN’s call for continued negotiations toward a permanent cessation of hostilities and lasting regional peace.
“The prolonged conflict is already affecting global markets and the lives of millions in ASEAN, especially through energy and food security pressures,” she said, emphasizing the urgency of regional action.
Trade Secretary Cristina Roque highlighted the widening economic spillovers of the crisis. “What began as a distant conflict is now affecting energy prices, supply chains, and economic conditions across ASEAN,” she said, noting that higher fuel and food costs are straining households and MSMEs alike.
Roque stressed that these challenges span both foreign and economic policy, calling for stronger coordination between ASEAN’s diplomatic and economic efforts. “Our responses must be coordinated, practical, and timely. Collective action remains key to stability and confidence during crises,” she said.
