Manila: The Philippines will host a scaled-down summit of Southeast Asian nations, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced Friday, emphasizing that the bloc will work to "coordinate" its response to the impact of the Middle East conflict.
According to Anadolu Agency, Manila, currently serving as the chair of the 11-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), has scheduled the summit for May 7-8 in Cebu province. President Marcos highlighted that the summit will provide an opportunity for leaders to deliberate on strategies for the present and future, focusing on mutual assistance amidst various global shocks. Describing the upcoming summit as "very barebones," Marcos indicated that the discussions will primarily revolve around oil, food supplies and prices, and the welfare of migrant workers.
The Philippines has been proactive in addressing energy disruptions caused by the ongoing Middle East conflict, being the first country to declare a national emergency in this regard. The nation imports a significant portion of its oil, approximately 90%, amounting to $16 billion worth in 2024, from the Middle East region.
The regional situation has been tense since the United States and Israel initiated a joint offensive on Iran on February 28, resulting in over 1,340 casualties, including the then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. In response, Tehran has launched a series of drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, causing casualties, infrastructure damage, and disruptions in global markets and aviation.