The escalating conflict in the Middle East dominated discussions among Southeast Asian diplomats as ASEAN foreign ministers expressed serious concern over renewed hostilities and warned of risks to energy supplies, inflation and global economic growth.
Foreign ministers from ASEAN’s 11 member states and dialogue partners gathered in Manila this week amid growing uncertainty following the resumption of open conflict between the US and Iran.
In a statement issued after a closed-door meeting, the ministers said they were concerned that the developments could weaken ongoing diplomatic efforts and reduce the chances of achieving a peaceful resolution.
“We are deeply concerned that these developments severely undermine the ongoing efforts of key mediators and diminish the prospects for a peaceful resolution through dialogue and diplomacy,” the ministers said.
The tensions have also raised concerns over global energy security, particularly after Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement announced a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, creating further risks for oil supplies and international trade routes.
ASEAN Moves To Protect Against Energy Shock
As a major oil-importing region with a combined gross domestic product of US$3.8 trillion, Southeast Asia remains vulnerable to disruptions in global energy markets.
ASEAN has been working to accelerate an oil-sharing mechanism among member states to reduce the impact of potential supply shortages.
Beyond the Middle East crisis, ASEAN ministers are also expected to address regional challenges including Myanmar’s ongoing civil war and long-running disputes in the South China Sea.
Myanmar And South China Sea Remain Key Challenges
ASEAN will hold discussions on Myanmar’s conflict, which has continued five years after the military coup that triggered widespread instability.
The bloc’s peace initiative has struggled to make progress, with the conflict reportedly resulting in an estimated 100,000 deaths.
Meanwhile, tensions in the South China Sea remain another major issue for ASEAN, with member states and China continuing negotiations on a code of conduct aimed at preventing disputes from escalating.
The discussions come after the Philippines accused China’s Coast Guard personnel of aggressively striking a Philippine navy personnel near the disputed Second Thomas Shoal.
China rejected the accusation, calling it false, while Beijing later summoned the Philippine ambassador over the incident.
Rubio Warns Over Maritime Security Risks
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi are expected to join the ASEAN-led meetings, with the possibility of bilateral discussions on the sidelines.
Ahead of the gathering, Rubio reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to freedom of navigation in the region while warning that maritime security could face growing pressure.
“If those waters fall under the control of a power willing to use commerce as a geopolitical weapon, both the United States and the ASEAN states would face dire new threats to our sovereignty, security and economic futures,” Rubio said.
Rubio also reiterated the US position that the 2016 arbitration ruling rejecting China’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea was final and binding.
China has continued to reject the ruling, which was issued in favour of the Philippines.
With conflicts in the Middle East, Myanmar and the South China Sea placing pressure on regional stability, ASEAN faces the challenge of maintaining economic resilience while navigating a more uncertain geopolitical landscape.
