Marcos: Asean condemns Middle East tensions
CEBU, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday said the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) condemns escalating tensions in the Middle East and called for greater solidarity and practical cooperation among member states.
In his opening statement at the 48th Asean Summit plenary, Marcos underscored the importance of the gathering as geopolitical tensions continue to trigger global economic shocks.
“Asean has expressed serious concern over the escalation of conflict due to the preemptive attacks initiated by Israel and the United States against the Islamic Republic of Iran on February 28, 2026, and the subsequent retaliatory attacks by Iran against several countries in the region,” he said at Mactan Expo in Lapu-Lapu City.
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“These developments have disrupted maritime and air transport routes, heightened risks to merchant and noncombatant vessels and aircraft, and affected the flow of energy and essential goods,” Marcos also said.
Described as a reminder of an increasingly uncertain world, Marcos said the tensions in the Middle East call for Asean’s stronger unity and cooperation.
“So, we must continue to uphold the principles of Asean centrality and solidarity and pursue practical cooperation. For this, I thank you for answering the call underscoring the importance and urgency of convening at this time,” he said.
One of the key topics in the regional bloc’s dialogue is energy security and resilience, which Marcos said requires innovation, including inclusive and responsible applications of artificial intelligence.
This move would improve energy forecasting, strengthen grid management and system flexibility, and support the clean energy transition, he said.
“Second, we must work together to stabilize food security. Disruptions in trade and transport stemming from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz quickly affected food prices and supply, especially fertilizers, and subsequently the welfare of our peoples,” the President said.
He said digital innovation can also help cushion impacts of anticipated shortages and improve agricultural productivity.
Furthermore, Marcos encouraged fellow leaders to uphold the safety of Asean nationals by strengthening early warning systems, enhancing consular coordination, and ensuring the timely delivery of assistance.
The Philippines’ chairship of Asean 2026 coincides with the first year of implementation of the Asean Community Vision 2045, or the 20-year strategic roadmap toward becoming a “Resilient, Innovative, Dynamic, and People-Centered” community by 2045.
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“We are reminded that our region is strongest when we turn shared challenges, however daunting they may be, and into shared purpose,” he said.
“And to this end, we recognize the importance of maritime cooperation and look forward to the adoption of the Asean Leaders’ Declaration on Maritime Cooperation, which includes the Philippines’ proposal to establish an Asean Maritime Center, which will serve as an important platform for maritime cooperation in coordination with relevant Asean and Asean-led mechanisms,” he added. /dl /atm
