ASEAN: Safeguarding Global Supply Chains Amid Hormuz Crisis

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The ministers of the ASEAN Economic Community Council (AECC) have stressed the necessity of safeguarding global supply chains and stable, secure, and sustainable maritime trade routes amid disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz triggered by the US and Israel war against Iran. In a video conference meeting on 30 April, the economic ministers of ASEAN member states shared deep concerns that the disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz—which handles a quarter of global oil and liquefied natural gas exports—have caused an energy crisis and widespread impacts on trade, food, and finance. “To minimise disruptions to energy trade flows, we underscore the importance of maintaining safe and open sea lanes, ensuring freedom of navigation, and secure, unimpeded, and sustainable ship and aircraft transit routes in straits used for international navigation, in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS),” stated the AECC joint statement on the Philippine ASEAN Chairmanship 2026 website on Monday (4/5). The ministers also reinforced their commitment to implementing the ASEAN Agreement, refraining from imposing unnecessary non-tariff measures, and other policies that could hinder trade, particularly in energy, food, and other essential commodities. While continuing to monitor developments in the Middle East, ASEAN will strengthen cooperation, including with external partners, to respond to the crisis and support regional resilience. “We task senior economic officials and relevant sectoral bodies to closely monitor and assess developments in comprehensive and integrated regional strategies to address the economic impacts of the Middle East conflict,” the AECC statement added. The Strait of Hormuz remains a “flashpoint” since the conflict between the US and Israel against Iran erupted at the end of February. Iran seized control of the strategic maritime route in retaliation for US and Israeli attacks. Recently, the US imposed a blockade on Iranian ports in the strait, following the failure of peace negotiations after the ceasefire ended.