MANILA, Philippines – Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) welcomed the ceasefire between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran, while affirming the importance of maintaining maritime safety and security, and upholding freedom of navigation in and overflight above straits used for international navigation.
In a statement released by the ASEAN Foreign Ministers after convening a special meeting regarding the situation in the Middle East, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro reiterated the region’s call for negotiations to continue, with hopes that it will lead to the permanent end of the conflict in the Middle East.
“We welcome the announcement on 8 April of a temporary ceasefire between the United States and Iran and urge both parties to continue negotiations that will lead to the permanent end of the conflict and lasting peace and stability in the region. This has been clearly highlighted in our statement on the development in the Middle East, which we issued today,” Lazaro told reporters during a virtual press briefing on Monday.
According to Lazaro, the bloc also underscored the importance of further strengthening the cooperation with ASEAN member states to respond more rapidly to the challenges impacting the region.
“We underscored the importance of further strengthening our cooperation to ensure energy security through the ASEAN framework Agreement on Petroleum Security or APSA; the ASEAN Power Grid or APG, and the Trans-ASEAN Gas Pipeline, and advancing our efforts towards alternative energy sources,” Lazaro mentioned.
“This meeting also discussed prioritizing energy supply to fellow ASEAN member states in times of crisis,” Lazaro added.
The Philippines, as ASEAN Chair, also expressed the urgency of convening a meeting among the region’s energy ministers, with the earliest opportunity ahead of the planned special ASEAN Ministers for Energy meeting scheduled on April 30, according to Lazaro.
She also stressed the importance of ASEAN cooperation to address the effects of the crisis on food systems, including enhancing information sharing on supply disruptions, price movements, and policy responses.
With regard to the safety of nationals, the Philippines expressed its condolences to fellow ASEAN member states for the loss of the lives of their nationals in the midst of the ongoing conflict and emphasize the need to ensure the safety of seafarers and ships in accordance with the International Convention on the Safety of Life at Sea, or SOLAS.
“We stress the importance of the continued, enhanced and timely coordination among ASEAN member states on joint cultural efforts to assist ASEAN nationals. We would like to thank as well our external partners who have offered and continue to provide support,” Lazaro said.
PH Chair committed to proceed with ASEAN Summit in May 2026
The Philippines reiterated its commitment to proceed with the 48th ASEAN Summit next month in Cebu, with discussions to focus on three urgent priorities of addressing energy security, food security, and the safety of ASEAN nationals.
“I think this has been answered by the Office of the President that yes, it is scaled down. In fact, as the President would describe it, it's bare bones, but the Summit will proceed because of the agenda item, which is very important to ASEAN, meaning energy issues, food security, as well as the safety of ASEAN nationals,” Lazaro confirmed
“It will be very simple, very austere, but it will be a face-to-face meeting among the leaders of ASEAN,” she added.
