ASEAN Adopts Maritime, Climate, and AI Cooperation at Cebu Summit
Cebu (ANTARA) - The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Friday adopted several important agreements aimed at strengthening regional cooperation in the fields of maritime security, climate action, disaster management, and digital innovation.
Announcing the outcomes of the 48th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings in Cebu, Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. stated that one of the main documents adopted was the ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on Maritime Cooperation.
“The declaration also includes a proposal to establish the ASEAN Maritime Centre in the Philippines,” Marcos said to local and international media.
The declaration reaffirms ASEAN’s collective commitment to deepening maritime cooperation and recognises the multidimensional nature of maritime issues, including navigation safety, maritime security, and regional coordination.
Regional leaders also adopted the ASEAN Declaration on Empowering Youth in Climate Action and Disaster Resilience, which highlights the role of the younger generation in reducing climate risks and disaster preparedness.
Another significant outcome was the adoption of the ASEAN Leaders’ Statement on ASEAN Convergence in Disaster Response, which introduces the ASEAN Strategic Protocol for Emergency and Comprehensive Transformation (ASPECT) to strengthen regional emergency coordination and disaster response mechanisms.
Furthermore, Marcos said ASEAN leaders also acknowledged the increasing role of innovation, including artificial intelligence (AI) and digital devices, in enhancing energy forecasting, food system monitoring, and social protection delivery, while ensuring that such technologies are grounded in accountability and international standards.
The Philippine President also highlighted the support of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for ASEAN programmes covering regional connectivity, energy security, capital markets, food resilience, AI readiness, blue economy, social protection, and public health.
“We look forward to enhanced cooperation with the ADB through planned support for various key ASEAN initiatives such as the ASEAN Power Grid, ASEAN Capital Markets Initiative, AI readiness, blue economy, and river basin resilience,” Marcos stated.
Another major development during the summit was the adoption of the Cebu Protocol to Amend the ASEAN Charter, the first amendment to the ASEAN Charter since it was signed in 2007.
Marcos said the amendment supports ASEAN’s sustainable evolution as a stronger and more inclusive regional community, while strengthening Timor Leste’s integration into the regional bloc.
ASEAN leaders also acknowledged progress in the Political-Security, Economic, and Socio-Cultural pillars as the region begins implementing the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.