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Senior diplomats and economic officials from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) met in Cebu, Philippines, on May 7, 2026, to discuss the growing impact of the ongoing Middle East conflict on Southeast Asia, with energy security, economic resilience, and regional coordination emerging as major priorities ahead of the bloc’s main summit meeting.

The discussions come as ASEAN member states face increasing concerns over rising fuel prices, supply chain disruptions, and broader economic uncertainty linked to the continuing conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.

The meeting was co-chaired by the Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, Maria Theresa Lazaro, and the Secretary of Trade and Industry of the Philippines, Cristina Roque, as the Philippines currently holds ASEAN’s rotating chairmanship.

According to official statements, ministers and senior officials from all member states discussed issues of “strategic importance,” including the evolving energy crisis and the wider implications of instability in the Middle East for Southeast Asian economies and regional stability.

ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn also participated in the ASEAN Joint Foreign and Economic Ministers’ Meeting in Cebu.

During the discussions, ministers exchanged views on the evolving global and regional situation and stressed the importance of closer cooperation between ASEAN’s political, economic, and security sectors in order to ensure more coordinated and effective responses to regional crises.

Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today participated in the ASEAN Joint Foreign and Economic Ministers’ Meeting, in Cebu, the Philippines. Co-chaired by H.E. Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines and H.E. Ma. Cristina A. Roque,… pic.twitter.com/I7MceakpjK

— ASEAN (@ASEAN) May 7, 2026

ASEAN Warns of Rising Economic Pressure

Officials warned that prolonged instability in the Middle East could place additional pressure on ASEAN economies that remain heavily dependent on imported energy and international trade routes.

Roque said ASEAN member states must strengthen collective coordination to manage the growing challenges facing the region. “No member state can manage these challenges alone. Our responses must be coordinated, practical, and timely,” Roque said.

She noted that higher fuel and commodity prices are already affecting households and businesses across Southeast Asia as transportation and energy costs continue to rise.

Officials also expressed concern that further disruptions to oil supplies or shipping routes could increase inflationary pressure across the region, potentially affecting manufacturing, food security, and overall economic growth.

Lazaro emphasized the need for ASEAN to improve its institutional preparedness during periods of geopolitical instability. “Our discussions reflected ASEAN’s resolve to act with urgency, coordinate closely and respond effectively to these emerging challenges,” Lazaro said.

“Taking stock of our experience, however, our discussions at the special meetings have pointed out that ASEAN needs to strengthen our crisis coordination and institutional readiness in times of crisis,” she added.

Despite the challenges, Lazaro said ASEAN remains committed to advancing long-term priorities such as regional economic integration, sustainable development, connectivity, and food security.

ASEAN Leaders’ Summit

The main ASEAN summit meeting is scheduled to take place on Friday. Regional leaders are expected to discuss the safety of ASEAN nationals currently living and working in the Middle East, regional economic resilience, and possible collective responses to ongoing energy disruptions.

Diplomatic sources also indicated that leaders may address the broader geopolitical implications of the Middle East conflict, particularly its impact on global trade routes, energy markets, and regional economic recovery efforts.

Separately, a senior Cambodian official told media that several ASEAN member states are becoming more open to easing Myanmar’s diplomatic isolation within the bloc.

The comments suggest a possible shift in ASEAN’s internal discussions regarding Myanmar’s military leadership after years of political tensions and limited engagement following the country’s crisis.

While Myanmar remains one of ASEAN’s most sensitive internal issues, some member states are reportedly exploring limited re-engagement measures amid growing concerns over regional stability and humanitarian conditions.

ASEAN-EU Summit

Ahead of the leaders’ summit, sustainability and economic resilience were also major themes during the inaugural ASEAN-EU Sustainability Summit held in Cebu.

The summit brought together government officials, business leaders, civil society representatives, and international organizations from Southeast Asia and Europe to discuss long-term solutions for regional economic resilience and sustainable development.

Organizers emphasized that the event was fully funded by the private sector, reflecting the increasing role businesses are expected to play in addressing regional challenges linked to energy security, climate change, and economic instability.

The discussions focused on energy transition, green finance, sustainable trade, circular economy development, climate resilience, and food security.

Paulo Duarte highlighted the importance of stronger ASEAN-European Union cooperation in addressing sustainability and economic resilience challenges facing Southeast Asia.

Several panel discussions examined how ASEAN economies could strengthen resilience through sustainable supply chains, climate-resilient agriculture, improved environmental reporting standards, and circular economy initiatives.

Officials from the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia participated in discussions on agricultural sustainability and regional food security, with speakers warning that climate change and global instability could place additional pressure on food production systems across Southeast Asia.

Business representatives attending the summit argued that private-sector financing, technology, and innovation would become increasingly important in helping governments respond to economic uncertainty and energy disruptions.

The summit also featured discussions on supply chain integrity, ESG reporting standards, sustainable trade systems, and animal health as ASEAN countries seek to improve long-term economic resilience amid rising geopolitical tensions.

Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today attended the Special Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Summit, in Cebu, the Philippines, witnessing the adoption of the BIMP-EAGA Vision 2035 and reaffirming ASEAN’s commitment… pic.twitter.com/iuSUsgv4pf

— ASEAN (@ASEAN) May 7, 2026

Participants emphasized that sustainability and economic resilience should no longer be viewed separately, arguing that future regional stability would depend on integrating climate policy, energy planning, food security, and trade resilience into broader economic decision-making.

The ASEAN-EU Sustainability Summit was jointly organized by the EU-ASEAN Business Council and the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines with support from the Philippine government.

The discussions in Cebu took place one day before ASEAN leaders were scheduled to begin formal summit talks focused on the immediate economic and geopolitical consequences of the ongoing Middle East conflict and the region’s growing energy concerns.