Foreign and economic ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) urged an immediate stop to the ongoing Middle East war, warning that surging oil prices and disrupted trade are already affecting Southeast Asia’s economies. The bloc emphasized the importance of regional stability and called on all parties to exercise maximum restraint to prevent further escalation. ASEAN officials stressed that energy security and trade continuity are vital for economic resilience.
The Philippines, chairing ASEAN this year, hosted a Special Foreign Ministers’ Meeting via videoconference, with Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn and Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro participating. Ministers discussed the broader impacts of the conflict on regional economies, global energy markets, and maritime trade routes. They highlighted the need to protect ASEAN nationals in conflict-affected areas while enhancing cooperation on energy supply resilience.
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ASEAN economic ministers warned that Southeast Asian nations are highly vulnerable to further shocks due to their dependence on global oil and LNG supply routes. They called for reinforcing regional supply chains, accelerating renewable energy transitions, and implementing measures to mitigate economic disruptions. Governments across the bloc have already begun adopting strategies to conserve energy, stabilize markets, and protect sensitive sectors like tourism.
The Middle East conflict has caused crude oil prices to surge near $100 per barrel amid threats to close the Strait of Hormuz, which handles a fifth of the world’s oil supply. Economic ministers stressed the need to keep global energy supply chains open and activate regional mechanisms to buffer against ongoing disruptions. Such steps are critical for ASEAN countries that heavily rely on imported fuel from the region.
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The war continues to escalate as Iran, the United States, and Israel maintain military operations. Israel’s air force reportedly struck over 200 targets in western and central Iran, targeting missile launchers, air defense systems, and weapons production facilities. Meanwhile, Iran launched missiles toward Israel, demonstrating the ongoing intensity of hostilities and the risks posed to regional and global trade routes.
ASEAN ministers concluded that diplomatic measures are essential to halt hostilities and stabilize global markets. They reiterated that continued conflict not only endangers human lives but also threatens economic recovery, energy security, and the welfare of millions in Southeast Asia. Strengthening regional cooperation and contingency planning remains a top priority for the bloc amid the crisis.