Energy and food security to top ASEAN Summit agenda — Marcos

By Chloe Mari A. Hufana, Reporter and Kaela Patricia B. Gabriel

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on Wednesday said the 48^th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit will prioritize regional preparedness amid the crisis triggered by Middle East war, with energy and food security at the forefront.

The 11-member bloc, which will convene on May 8 in Cebu for its biannual meeting, will also tackle the safety of ASEAN nationals globally, he said in a video message.

“At this summit, I will lead discussions on how the region can bolster regional preparedness and ensure stable energy supply and accelerate energy diversification to reduce vulnerability to external shocks, including those stemming from the conflict in the Middle East,” he said.

Mr. Marcos will press for stronger regional food security by ensuring the uninterrupted flow of essential goods and expanding support mechanisms for farmers and micro, small and medium enterprises.

“We will continue to stress that as one region, our efforts will truly be effective on the basis of a unified approach and collective vision,” he added.

“Through these actions, we will embrace an ASEAN where its peoples enjoy a secure, peaceful, and stable future.”

The country is under a year-long state of national energy emergency due to the Middle East war, forcing the ASEAN organizing committee to implement austerity measures to save energy and fuel.

In a livestreamed press briefing, ASEAN spokesperson Dominic Xavier M. Imperial said a joint statement on the Middle East crisis is expected, with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) expressing confidence that members will reach consensus despite sensitivities involving major powers.

He noted ASEAN states are “very encouraged” by the level of commitment and do not see impediments to a collective response, emphasizing that the goal is to establish measures that can address both the current conflict and future crises while upholding ASEAN centrality.

Mr. Imperial said the discussions in the next days will also involve the legally binding code of conduct in the South China Sea but noted the outcome of the meetings will not be expected at this summit.

“It will be discussed during this summit; it will form part of the discussions under a specific agenda, which are the regional and international issues,” he said.

While the language of the statement remains under negotiation, Mr. Imperial said it will “definitely” include references to the conflict, which has disrupted supply chains and heightened energy security concerns across the region.

Hansley A. Juliano, a political science lecturer at the Ateneo de Manila University, said ASEAN’s push for energy diversification risks being undermined by its continued reliance on fossil fuel — based agreements, which could limit investment in nuclear and renewable energy.

He flagged the bloc’s economic dependence on oil as a key internal constraint and called for a clear divestment strategy within the next decade, especially as climate impacts intensify across the region.

“There needs to be a clear strategy of divestment within at least the next decade since we are already seeing climate crisis impacts within the region as is,” he said via Facebook Messenger.

Mr. Juliano added that Middle Eastern countries such as Iran may have added leverage in ASEAN due to large Muslim populations in several member states, which could drive public and political pressure to side with Iran and support Palestinian sovereignty.

He noted this could complicate the Philippines’ position as chair, given its longstanding ties with the US and Israel, making consensus within the bloc a delicate balancing act.

MYANMAR
Meanwhile, the DFA urged Myanmar to allow ASEAN’s special envoy to meet with detained leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, whose sentence was reduced to 18 years from 33 years and shifted to house arrest.

In a statement on Wednesday, the DFA said the recent developments could help build national confidence and support long-term stability in Myanmar.

“To further build international confidence, we encourage Myanmar to provide greater transparency regarding this transfer by allowing Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to communicate with her family,” the DFA said.

The department said granting Ms. Suu Kyi access to her family would reflect Myanmar’s “genuine commitment” to fostering national reconciliation in their country.

“Such would be in line with the Special Envoy’s role to engage with all stakeholders and parties to create an environment conducive to inclusive national dialogue,” the DFA added.

The department also lauded Myanmar’s move to grant over 1,500 prisoners amnesty during the observance of the Full Moon Day of Kason.

University of the East political science professor Eric Daniel C. de Torres has viewed the statement as a reflection of the Philippines’ support for Myanmar and pursuit for regional stability.

However, he added that such statements are political in nature which could affect the existing leadership in Myanmar.

“This somehow is unconventional as through the years member states in the ASEAN are very sensitive with regard to any internal issues and politics,” he said via Messenger chat, noting that the ASEAN Chair could focus on oil and energy trade agreements to support member states in need of such resources.

At this year’s summit, Myanmar will be represented by the Foreign Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, joining the leaders of the ten other member states.