Prabowo at ASEAN Summit: Energy Becomes Urgent Issue Amid Middle East Instability

At the ASEAN Summit podium, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto spotlighted energy resilience as the primary challenge that must be collectively addressed amid the dynamics of security situations in the Middle East.

“Energy resilience is one of the important issues we face today. With increasing global pressures and instability in the Middle East, this is no longer a long-term problem, but an urgent one,” Prabowo stated at the Special Summit of Brunei Darussalam–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) in Cebu, Philippines, on Thursday (7/5/2026).

According to him, hydropower, solar power, wind power, and fertile land have not yet been optimally utilised in the BIMP-EAGA region.

Prabowo then questioned the readiness of member countries to leverage those potentials to meet regional needs while supporting ASEAN’s energy transition.

“The question is whether we are ready to act on those potentials. Not only to meet our subregional needs, but also to contribute to ASEAN’s energy transition,” he said.

Several steps highlighted include the development of hydropower in Borneo, the expansion of solar energy projects in Palawan, and the utilisation of wind energy in coastal areas.

Prabowo also exemplified several steps that Indonesia is currently undertaking to accelerate solar energy development.

“Full speed ahead, 100 GW of solar power, invite our friends, enhance our energy infrastructure, we have the potential,” Prabowo said.

In addition to energy development, Prabowo stressed the importance of strengthening subregional connectivity, including increasing the capacity of the Trans Borneo Power Grid electricity network so that energy distribution can run more efficiently in the region.

Prabowo assessed that all these agendas require financing support, technical expertise, and closer partnerships with regional development partners.

“All this will not happen without the right support. We need to secure funding, mobilise technical expertise, and deepen partnerships with our regional advisors and Development Partners,” he explained.

Prabowo simultaneously sent a strong message that ASEAN’s future is not only determined by economic growth, but also by the region’s ability to maintain energy, food, and societal resilience amid a constantly changing world.

“However, energy is only part of the story. Food resilience is just as fundamental,” added the Head of State.