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Louella Desiderio - The Philippine Star
May 2, 2026 | 12:00am
This handout picture taken and released on October 27, 2022 by the Indonesian ministry of foreign affairs shows the foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) countries attending the Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (SAFMM) at ASEAN secretariat general building, in Jakarta. Southeast Asian foreign ministers met in Jakarta to discuss the political crisis in Myanmar ahead of November's ASEAN leaders' summit, without a representative from the country's military junta.
AFP / Handout / Indonesian Foreign Ministry
MANILA, Philippines — The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Economic Community Council Ministers are calling for regional responses to address the impact of the Middle East crisis by accelerating cooperation on the region’s power grid and keeping trade open.
In a press briefing, Trade Secretary Cristina Roque, chair of the ASEAN Economic Community Council Ministers, said the ministers met to discuss the impact of the Middle East conflict on the region.
“ASEAN is united not only in its assessment of the situation, but also in its response. Ministers agreed that addressing issues, particularly on energy, food and supply chains are regional in nature. And because they are regional, they require a coordinated regional response,” she said.
Among those discussed by the ministers is the need to fast-track efforts on the ASEAN Power Grid, which aims to strengthen energy cooperation by connecting the region’s electricity networks by 2045.
“Strengthening energy connectivity will allow ASEAN to share resources more efficiently and build resilience against external energy shocks,” Roque said.
She said that ASEAN ministers also agreed to keep trade open and predictable by avoiding restrictive measures, including export bans on essential goods.
“In times of uncertainty, predictability is stability. And stability begins with keeping goods moving across borders,” Roque said.
ASEAN ministers will also strengthen and accelerate free trade agreements, including the upgrade of the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement, ASEAN-China FTA Upgrade 3.0, ASEAN-Korea FTA, ASEAN-Canada FTA and other free trade deals.
“These are practical tools to reduce bottlenecks, improve coordination and ensure essential goods reach our people without unnecessary delays,” Roque said.
Other measures to be pursued include ensuring energy supply for essential services, especially health care.
ASEAN ministers will also work on strengthening food security and supply chain coordination for more reliable access across the region.
Roque said the region would also step up efforts to support businesses, especially micro, small and medium enterprises, as these are the most exposed during shocks.
“Strengthening access to financing and liquidity support is essential to keep them operating and protect jobs,” Roque said.
