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Kuala Lumpur – The Philippines has called on Southeast Asian nations to deepen maritime cooperation and reinforce regional solidarity during the opening of the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, amid growing geopolitical tensions that continue to impact global trade and energy security.
Speaking at the summit opening ceremony, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. warned that escalating conflicts involving the United States, Israel, and Iran have disrupted maritime shipping and air transportation routes, creating broader economic risks for ASEAN member states.
Marcos stressed that instability in strategic waterways has increased risks for commercial vessels, affected energy and commodity supplies, and contributed to higher living costs across Southeast Asia. He noted that the situation has placed additional pressure on regional economies and overseas Southeast Asian communities working in affected regions.
As ASEAN Chair for 2026, the Philippines proposed stronger maritime collaboration through a new ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on Maritime Cooperation. The proposal includes plans to establish an ASEAN Maritime Center in the Philippines and strengthen the role of the ASEAN Coast Guard Forum within the regional bloc.
According to ASEAN spokesperson Dominic Xavier Imperial, the initiative is aimed at improving coordination between ASEAN member states in addressing maritime security, trade protection, and regional emergency responses.
The summit, held under the theme “Navigating Our Future, Together,” is also expected to focus on energy security, food resilience, regional stability, and the ongoing crisis in the Middle East. ASEAN leaders are additionally discussing Timor-Leste’s integration into the bloc and developments in Myanmar.
Before the leaders’ summit officially began, ASEAN foreign ministers and senior officials gathered for a series of ministerial meetings, including the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM) and the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Council meeting.
The latest developments highlight ASEAN’s growing focus on maintaining regional stability and safeguarding critical maritime routes as geopolitical uncertainty continues to reshape the global economic landscape.
