Philippines Opens 48th ASEAN Summit on Energy, Food Security

The Philippines opened the 48th Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit on May 6 in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, convening leaders from the bloc's 11 member states to tackle energy and food security amid disruptions from the Middle East conflict. Hosted under the theme "Navigating Our Future, Together," the three-day gathering prioritizes regional strategies to counter volatile oil prices and supply chain issues stemming from tensions, including strikes on Iran in late February.

Officials enforced strict austerity measures for the event, adopting a streamlined, businesslike format in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s Executive Order No. 110, which declared a national energy emergency. Maria Hellen de La Vega, director-general of the ASEAN National Organizing Council, said the approach responds to global uncertainties while emphasizing face-to-face talks on energy security, food security, and the welfare of migrant workers. Preparatory senior officials and ministerial meetings began May 6 and 7 at Dusit Thani Mactan and Shangri-La Mactan, followed by the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area summit on May 7. The main plenary and leaders' retreat...