48th ASEAN Summit Focuses on Security Issues Amid Global Oil Crisis

Manila (ANTARA) - The 48th ASEAN Summit was officially opened in Cebu Province, Philippines, on Friday (8/5), with energy resilience, food resilience, and the safety of ASEAN citizens in various parts of the world as its main priorities.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos, as the 2026 ASEAN chair, stated that the summit is being held amid considerable challenges.

He added that the increasingly unstable situation in the Middle East has impacted ASEAN countries, while various major uncertainties threaten the lifestyles, livelihoods, and lives of the people.

The summit and several related meetings, held from Thursday (7/5) to Friday, are taking place amid rising energy costs and price increases across all ASEAN member countries, widespread disruptions in various sectors, and increasing security risks for ASEAN citizens in the Middle East.

Leaders of ASEAN member countries will also discuss several topics, including support for Timor-Leste’s full integration into the regional bloc and the latest developments in Myanmar.

Established in 1967, ASEAN comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Timor-Leste, which joined the bloc at the 47th ASEAN Summit in Malaysia last October.