CEBU City — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Friday called on Southeast Asian nations to stand united and resilient amid escalating geopolitical tensions, economic instability, and the ripple effects of the Middle East crisis, warning that ASEAN faces one of its most challenging periods in recent years.
Opening the 48th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Meetings at the Mactan Expo Center in Cebu, Marcos stressed that the regional bloc must respond collectively to growing global uncertainties affecting economies, energy security, and communities across Southeast Asia.
“We meet at a time of considerable challenge across our region and beyond,” Marcos said, pointing to the effects of the volatile situation in the Middle East on the economies and communities of ASEAN member-states.
He emphasized that the current global situation makes ASEAN cooperation even more critical.
“The work of ASEAN must continue, not despite the challenges, but because the times demand our answers to those challenges,” he added.
Marcos revealed that the Philippines scaled down non-essential activities for the summit and shifted some meetings online due to rising energy costs and economic pressures triggered by tensions in the Middle East.
Despite these challenges, he said ASEAN remains committed to strengthening regional cooperation through engagements among foreign ministers and sectoral meetings focused on the economy, agriculture, and energy.
The President underscored that ASEAN’s strength lies in solidarity and collective action among member-states.
“For ASEAN has always drawn its strength not from uniformity but from unity,” he said.
Marcos and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos welcomed ASEAN leaders and their spouses upon arrival at the venue.
Among the leaders attending the summit were Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Timor-Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão, and Vietnamese Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng.
Myanmar was represented by U Hau Khan Sum, permanent secretary of its Ministry of Foreign Affairs./PN
