ASEAN Tested on Commitment to Unity Amid Global Crises at Manila Meeting

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) in Manila took place under the shadow of multiple crises. The US-Iran conflict, South China Sea disputes, and Myanmar’s unresolved crisis turned the annual gathering into a test of ASEAN’s ability to maintain regional stability.

These challenges are reflected in the 2026 ASEAN chairmanship theme put forward by the Philippines, “Navigating Our Future, Together.” The theme underscores the importance of maintaining regional unity as various external crises and internal issues demand a collective response from Southeast Asian nations.

Philippine Foreign Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro reminded that Southeast Asia must face a world filled with turmoil, uncertainty, and unpredictable situations through active and directed measures.

“In a fragmented global landscape, no single country can weather these storms alone. Our strength and resilience lie in our community. If we do not move forward together, we risk falling apart,” she said.

According to Lazaro, the foreign ministers evaluated the implementation of the three ASEAN pillars (political-security, economic, and socio-cultural) as material for recommendations to the ASEAN Summit in November, while also discussing the direction of regional integration and relations with dialogue partners.

This agenda has become increasingly important because the series of meetings in Manila also brought ASEAN together with partner countries and organisations, including the US, China, and Russia. This situation once again places ASEAN in a difficult position to maintain balance amid the rivalry of the major powers.

Responding to pressure from outside the region

One of the issues drawing the most attention is the escalation of the US-Iran conflict. Beyond raising tensions in the Middle East, the conflict has raised concerns over shipping security in the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic route that carried roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply before the war.

Disruption to this route could affect energy supplies, international trade, and global supply chains, including for ASEAN countries whose economies depend heavily on the smooth flow of goods.

In response, ASEAN issued a joint statement urging all parties to return to the path of diplomacy. The organisation also called for the restoration of safe, unimpeded, and sustainable shipping and aviation through the Strait of Hormuz in accordance with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).