Philippines Convenes Joint ASEAN Foreign and Economic Ministers’ Meeting

CEBU — In their respective capacities as Chairs of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro and Secretary of Trade and Industry Ma. Cristina A. Roque co-chaired the Joint ASEAN Foreign and Economic Ministers’ Meeting to discuss the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and its effects on ASEAN.

This meeting follows the First and Second Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meetings held virtually on 13 March and 13 April 2026, which were called in response to the rapidly evolving situation in the Middle East. Both meetings expressed collective ASEAN concern over the escalating conflict and identified practical ways forward for a united, regional response.

Guided by the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairship theme, “Navigating our Future, Together,” the Foreign and Economic Ministers reaffirmed their collective call for the exercise of utmost restraint by all parties and for a return to diplomatic dialogue and negotiation as the only durable path toward peace and stability in the Middle East.

The Ministers also exchanged views on the broader regional implications of the crisis, and identified practical, concrete response measures on strengthening energy security, safeguarding food security, and coordinating humanitarian responses. Some proposals raised covered diversifying energy sources, suppliers and routes; enhancing food monitoring, information-sharing, and preparedness measures; and strengthening intra-ASEAN trade, investment, and supply chains. They also discussed the development of a crisis communication protocol at the Ministerial level to ensure coherent, timely, and coordinated response to crises.

In this regard, ASEAN committed to intensify coordination among relevant ASEAN sectoral bodies, underscoring the importance of cross-pillar cooperation across the Political-Security, Economic, and Socio-Cultural pillars of the ASEAN Community to mount an effective and comprehensive response.

Notably, the meeting endorsed for adoption at the 48th ASEAN Summit an ASEAN Leaders’ Statement on the Response to the Middle Crisis which will bring together ASEAN’s unified response.