Participants of a high-level meeting for ASEAN foreign ministers pose for a group photo in Cebu, the Philippines, (ASEAN 2026/Handout via Xinhua)
Manila, Philippines: The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) leaders on Friday issued a statement on the response to the Middle East crisis, aimed at strengthening the bloc's collective response to global energy shortages and supply disruptions.
At the summit in Cebu City, the Philippines, ASEAN leaders affirmed their "shared resolve" to bolster regional resilience amid growing fears over the economic fallout from the conflict, particularly on energy security and fuel supplies.
In the joint statement, the leaders announced several priority measures, including the activation of a regional fuel-sharing mechanism and the accelerated implementation of a regional power grid to improve electricity connectivity across Southeast Asia.
"We expressed serious concern over the rapidly evolving situation in the Middle East, which poses a grave threat to the lives and safety of civilians, as well as to regional and global peace and stability," the leaders said.
The leaders called for the immediate implementation of the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Petroleum Security, which allows member states to support one another's energy requirements during supply disruptions "on a voluntary and commercial basis."
ASEAN leaders further pushed for diversification of energy sources to lessen dependence on oil-fired power generation, while promoting renewable energy development and exploring emerging technologies, including civilian nuclear energy, in line with international safety standards.
"In view of the evolving regional and global landscape and emerging multi-polar world architecture, we reaffirmed our unity and collective commitment to ensuring that ASEAN remains resilient, responsive and forward-looking in navigating external shocks and safeguarding the well-being of its peoples," the statement read.
