Philippines Pushes for ASEAN Declaration on Maritime Cooperation
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Philippines supports a declaration document by ASEAN leaders on maritime cooperation for consideration by ASEAN leaders at the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, Philippines, this week.
Based on a press release from ASEAN Philippines 2026 accessed in Jakarta on Thursday, ASEAN Spokesperson Dominic Xavier Imperial stated that the document emphasises the region’s commitment to strengthening maritime cooperation through several concrete initiatives.
One such initiative includes recognising the ASEAN Coast Guard Forum (ACF) as an ASEAN Sectoral Body and a proposal to establish the ASEAN Maritime Centre in the Philippines.
In addition, Imperial mentioned that there are two other documents also supported by the Philippines for consideration by ASEAN leaders at the summit.
The second document is the Cebu Protocol to amend the ASEAN Charter, which will be the first amendment to the ASEAN Charter since it was signed in 2007.
According to Imperial, the document reflects sustainable strengthening of ASEAN’s institutions, particularly in supporting Timor-Leste’s full integration into the regional bloc.
Meanwhile, the third document is a statement by ASEAN leaders on the response to the Middle East crisis, drafted based on two special meetings of ASEAN Foreign Ministers in March and April.
The ASEAN spokesperson said that the statement contains ASEAN’s collective response to the crisis while serving as a foundation for stronger coordination in facing future emergencies.
He emphasised that the Philippines will continue to push several key priorities at the 48th ASEAN Summit, including energy security, food resilience, safety of ASEAN citizens, preparations for the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC), integration of Timor-Leste, and developments in the situation in Myanmar.
“At a time of increasing geopolitical uncertainty and emerging regional challenges, the Philippines underscores the importance of strengthening the region’s strategic autonomy guided by ASEAN centrality, enhancing our coordination as a community of nations, and reaffirming our commitment to long-standing principles of international law,” said Imperial.
The Philippines is hosting the 2026 ASEAN Summit and related meetings under the theme “Navigating Our Future, Together.”
Ahead of the 48th ASEAN Summit on Friday (8/5), several ministerial-level meetings were held first on Thursday (7/5), including the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM) and the 31st Meeting of the ASEAN Political-Security Community Council (APSC).