ASEAN leaders on May 8 have adopted several key agreements aimed at strengthening regional cooperation on maritime security, climate action, disaster response and digital innovation during the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, Philippines.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said the summit endorsed the ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on Maritime Cooperation, reaffirming the bloc’s commitment to deeper collaboration on maritime issues and supporting the proposed establishment of an ASEAN Maritime Centre in the Philippines.
The leaders also adopted the ASEAN Declaration on the Empowerment of Youth in Climate Action and Disaster Resilience, recognising the role of young people in climate-risk reduction and emergency preparedness.
Another major outcome was the ASEAN Leaders’ Statement on the ASEAN Convergence on Disaster Response under the ASPECT Framework, aimed at enhancing regional coordination during emergencies and natural disasters.
ASEAN leaders also highlighted the growing role of artificial intelligence and digital tools in improving energy forecasting, food-system monitoring and social protection delivery, while stressing the need for human oversight and accountability.
The summit further welcomed support from the Asian Development Bank for regional initiatives involving energy security, artificial intelligence readiness, food security, capital markets and the blue economy.
A key milestone was the adoption of the Cebu Protocol to Amend the ASEAN Charter, the first amendment since the charter was signed in 2007, which Marcos described as an important step toward ASEAN’s evolution into a more inclusive regional community and Timor-Leste’s future integration into the bloc.
The summit also marked the first year of implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, which outlines the regional grouping’s long-term strategic direction over the next two decades.
