Disaster Resilience to Be a Key Agenda at the 2026 ASEAN Summit
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Regional resilience against disasters will be one of the main agendas at the 2026 ASEAN Summit in Cebu, Philippines, in line with the collective commitment to enhance community protection from natural disasters.
“ASEAN member countries have committed to a collaborative framework that strengthens community-based early warning systems, rapid humanitarian responses, and support for affected populations,” said Dave Gomez, Acting Secretary of the Presidential Communications Office of the Philippines.
The statement was delivered by Gomez at the opening of the ASEAN 2026 International Media Centre (IMC) at the Mactan World Museum in Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines, on Tuesday (5/5).
In a written statement from ASEAN seen on Wednesday, Gomez explained that the collaboration aims to ensure that volcanic disasters such as the eruption of Mount Mayon do not exacerbate the conditions of vulnerable communities.
Instead, these efforts are expected to promote inclusive, community-centred resilience strategies.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered relevant government agencies to assess the situation, provide immediate medical assistance, and conduct cleanup operations in areas affected by the Mount Mayon eruption in Albay.
In March, the Philippines proposed the Manila-ASEAN Strategic Protocol Framework for Emergency Situations and Comprehensive Transformation (Manila-ASPECT).
The proposal aims to enhance ASEAN’s disaster response while strengthening regional coordination.
Philippine Minister of Social Welfare and Development Rex Gatchalian said the proposal is a strategic initiative to bolster ASEAN’s disaster response and improve regional coordination.
He made the statement while leading the 35th Meeting of the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Council (ASCC) in Makati City.
The Manila-ASPECT framework offers a standardised approach for ASEAN member countries to enhance regional interoperability, data sharing, logistics, and cross-border processes.
The framework also supports community-oriented and rights-based disaster responses.
In addition to disaster resilience, energy security will also be a key agenda at the 2026 ASEAN Summit, as Asia bears the brunt of high fuel prices due to conflicts in the Middle East.
“With the impact of tensions in the Middle East heavily burdening Asia, at the initiative of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., leaders have refocused the agenda to include discussions on energy security and integrated responses to reduce negative impacts in each member country,” said Gatchalian.