Theresa Lazaro Calls for ASEAN Cooperation on Energy Security
ASEAN acting chair and Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary, Theresa Lazaro, stressed the urgent need for the bloc’s ‘unity’ in addressing ‘regional energy security’ as a response to challenges caused by escalating tensions in the Middle East, delivering her opening remarks at the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu City on Thursday.
“Common challenges, economic pressures and risks to the welfare of our peoples – one: ensuring regional energy security and resilience; two: stabilising food security and three: protecting ASEAN nationals,” Lazaro outlined.
“We address these priorities against the backdrop of the situation in the Middle East and the deeply felt effects on our region and peoples,” she added.
ASEAN Leaders Prepare Contingency Plans for Fuel Imports
The Philippines’ top diplomat went on to say that no single country in the ASEAN community can act alone responding to the current challenges, but instead, acting together can turn ‘shared concerns’ into opportunities.
According to the organisers, the ASEAN leaders are also expected to develop a contingency plan focused on restoring the safe passage of fuel imports to the energy-dependent region through the Strait of Hormuz.
This follows after the US and Israel launched a joint military operation against Iran on February 28, and Iran responded with strikes on Israeli territory and US interests in the region. Tehran has restricted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, whilst the US Navy has maintained its blockade of Iranian ports, despite the ceasefire agreement.
Energy Shock Forces Emergency Measures Across ASEAN
The Hormuz blockage triggered a severe energy shock for ASEAN states, which remain large importers of natural gas and oil. To address the impact of the Middle East conflict on energy supplies, the Philippines declared a national energy emergency on March 24, while Indonesia and Vietnam introduced energy rationing.
Scheduled to run from May 6 to 8 under the theme ‘Navigating Our Future, Together’, the 48th ASEAN Summit will focus on strengthening regional maritime security, energy sufficiency and disruptions to the supply chains caused by Middle East conflict.
