Indonesia to Align ASEAN Energy Commitments with National Interests

The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that Indonesia will determine its supply commitments to ASEAN energy security based on national interests and the needs it faces. “National interest is the barometer for what we can pledge, because the situation we are facing is not only faced by one country alone,” said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Vahd Nabyl A. Mulachela following a media briefing in Jakarta on Thursday.

The spokesperson noted that energy security was one of the issues discussed at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ meeting, being one of the aspects most affected by the conflict in the Middle East. Nabyl said that Indonesia and other ASEAN member states assess that the impact of the conflict in the region affects areas outside the region, including the energy sector.

“If you look at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ statement on the situation in the Middle East, matters related to the impact of the conflict on countries outside the Middle East region are also a concern,” Nabyl said. Therefore, strengthening energy security became a shared focus during the meeting.

Furthermore, Nabyl mentioned that broadly speaking, the interest in securing energy security is a concern for all ASEAN member states, affirming that all share the same goal of ensuring that energy supplies can be met. “Regarding the technical mechanisms, this of course also depends on how far these negotiations progress. But as long as we all share the same goal, I think the effort to resolve this can hopefully remain on schedule,” Nabyl stated.

Previously in May 2026, ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn confirmed that the ratification process for the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA) would be completed before the 49th ASEAN Summit, scheduled for the end of the year. The agreement, in addition to enhancing regional cooperation and integration in the energy sector, allows ASEAN members to assist each other in the event of fuel shortages. The APSA mechanism enables member states to supply fuel to other members experiencing a shortage of at least 10 percent of their domestic needs. Meanwhile, the 49th ASEAN Summit is planned to take place on 10-12 November 2026 in the Philippine capital, Manila.