SUMMIT TO FOCUS ON ENERGY, FOOD, SECURITY: ASEAN leaders meeting today

CEBU, PHILIPPINES — As regional leaders convene today for the 48th ASEAN Summit and related meetings, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. underscored the need for stronger cooperation, outlining key priorities on energy, food security, and the protection of ASEAN nationals.

In a video message released ahead of the summit, Marcos said the Philippines, as this year’s ASEAN chair, bears the responsibility of helping shape the region’s future amid an increasingly complex global environment.

“It has been nine years since the Philippines last chaired ASEAN. Since then, our region has shown remarkable resilience, overcoming major obstacles and making meaningful progress,” Marcos said, while noting that challenges remain and require sustained cooperation among member states.

Anchored on the theme “Navigating Our Future, Together,” the President said the agenda is both timely and necessary.

“For the Philippines, this is not just a statement, but a commitment that anchors our strategic intent in steering a future that is peaceful, prosperous, and people-centered,” he added.

Marcos emphasized unity among ASEAN member states, stressing that regional progress depends on a shared vision and adherence to ASEAN centrality as a guiding principle.

He also welcomed the inclusion of Timor-Leste as a full-fledged member of ASEAN, calling it a testament to the continued relevance of multilateralism and regional cooperation.

During the summit, discussions will focus on three priority areas: ensuring energy security, strengthening food systems, and safeguarding ASEAN nationals worldwide.

The President said he will push for measures to stabilize energy supply, enhance regional preparedness, and accelerate diversification to reduce vulnerabilities, particularly amid global uncertainties such as tensions in the Middle East.

On food security, Marcos highlighted the need to maintain the free flow of essential goods and support farmers and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across the region.

He also stressed the importance of protecting ASEAN nationals abroad, recognizing their contributions to both home countries and host economies.

“As chair, the Philippines will continue to champion the founding ideals of ASEAN—peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, and cooperation for shared benefit,” Marcos said.

He added that a unified approach remains key to ensuring a stable and secure future for the region.

“As Cebu takes center stage for the 48th ASEAN Summit, the Philippines warmly welcomes all delegations with the mark of Filipino hospitality—rooted in our rich cultural heritage, shaped by timeless traditions, and animated by our people’s openness and warmth,” the President said.

Meanwhile, the Philippines, through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), has begun a series of high-level preparatory meetings ahead of the summit scheduled on May 8, underscoring the country’s leadership role in advancing regional cooperation amid global uncertainties.

During a joint press briefing, DFA spokesperson Xavier Imperial said the Philippines, as chair of the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) pillar, is hosting senior officials’ and ministerial-level meetings to lay the groundwork for the summit.

“These preparatory meetings will tackle key regional priorities and ASEAN’s long-term community-building agenda in line with the ASEAN Community Vision 2045,” Imperial said.

The schedule includes the ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting, followed by ministerial gatherings such as the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the APSC Council Meeting, the ASEAN Coordinating Council, and the Joint Foreign and Economic Ministers’ Meeting, attended by foreign ministers and senior officials from member states.

Imperial highlighted three key outcome documents targeted for endorsement by leaders: the Cebu Protocol amending the ASEAN Charter—its first revision since 2007 and a step toward Timor-Leste’s full integration; the ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on Maritime Cooperation, proposing initiatives such as an ASEAN Coast Guard Forum and a regional maritime center in the Philippines; and the ASEAN Leaders’ Statement on the Response to the Middle East crisis, outlining a coordinated approach to ongoing geopolitical tensions.

He added that the Philippines continues to push priorities anchored on this year’s theme, including preparations for the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, developments in Myanmar, and efforts to strengthen ASEAN centrality and strategic autonomy.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary Allan Gepty emphasized the economic significance of ASEAN cooperation, particularly as global challenges such as the Middle East conflict continue to disrupt supply chains and energy markets.

“ASEAN is an economic community that is coordinated, responsive, and forward-looking. Our strength lies in unity and cooperation,” Gepty said.

He noted that regional integration has yielded tangible benefits, including expanded markets for businesses, greater participation of MSMEs in regional value chains, and increased mobility for workers and investments across Southeast Asia.

Gepty stressed the need to deepen cooperation in critical areas such as energy security, food security, and supply chain resilience, saying national responses alone are insufficient to address global disruptions.

Among the Philippines’ priority economic deliverables are initiatives on the ASEAN Power Grid to enable cross-border electricity trade, sustainable agriculture programs, digital trade rules, and the promotion of green and high-growth investments.

He also cited ongoing negotiations for the ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement to expand the region’s trade network.

Highlighting Cebu’s strategic role, Gepty described the province as a key hub for trade, tourism, and maritime connectivity, positioning it as a gateway for sustaining regional economic activity.

The 48th ASEAN Summit is expected to bring together leaders from across Southeast Asia to address pressing regional issues.