ASEAN economic ministers are tightening regional coordination as they respond to rising global uncertainty, with leaders focusing on trade stability, energy security, and supply chain resilience.
Philippine Trade and Industry Secretary Cristina Roque opened the 27th ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Council Meeting in Cebu on Thursday, saying member states are working to strengthen cooperation to keep the region open and stable despite external pressures.
Roque said ASEAN continues discussions after a recent special council meeting held virtually to assess developments in the Middle East.
She described ASEAN processes as “steady, deliberate steps” that move discussions toward clearer regional decisions.
“What we do here matters. Because this meeting is not simply an exchange of views. It is where we align our positions, sharpen our priorities, and ensure that when issues are elevated, they are clear, focused, and ready for decision,” she said.
Roque pointed to rising energy costs and supply chain disruptions as ongoing pressures affecting economies and households across the region.
“We are here not only to respond to these pressures, but to ensure that our region remains open, stable, and moving forward,” she said.
ASEAN leaders plan to issue a statement on the Middle East crisis that sets coordinated actions on energy security, market stability, financial resilience, and macroeconomic stability.
The statement will also address food security, agricultural supply chains, and regional humanitarian response efforts.
Roque said ASEAN continues advancing the Philippines’ priority economic deliverables, including the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement and early work on the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.
“These are not separate tracks but are part of a single effort to ensure that ASEAN remains resilient, competitive, and relevant in a changing global environment,” she said.
The Cebu meetings form part of ASEAN’s broader effort to align economic policies as the bloc responds to shifting geopolitical and economic conditions.
Photo courtesy of DTI Philippines
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