ASEAN moves to safeguard Southeast Asia’s food and energy security amid Mideast tensions
MANILA — The Association of Southeast Asian Nations has agreed to strengthen regional coordination to protect food and energy security in Southeast Asia amid rising uncertainty caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The tensions have disrupted global supply chains and pushed oil prices higher across the region, prompting ASEAN leaders to take precautionary measures.
Ma. Theresa Lazaro convened a special meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers via videoconference on Friday to discuss how member states can respond to the situation.
According to Lazaro, the ministers emphasized the importance of strengthening regional connectivity, improving energy preparedness, and diversifying energy sources, including renewable and alternative energy options.
The meeting also highlighted the need to enhance logistics connectivity and supply chain resilience to ensure stable access to essential goods, particularly food and other agricultural products, across ASEAN countries.
Lazaro said the ASEAN Centre for Energy is currently discussing immediate measures to address the spike in oil prices.
During the meeting, foreign ministers and senior officials called for the full use of existing ASEAN cooperation mechanisms to boost regional energy security. These include the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Petroleum Security, the ASEAN Power Grid Enhanced Memorandum of Understanding, and the Trans-ASEAN Gas Pipeline project.
Under APSA, ASEAN member states may provide petroleum assistance to another member experiencing shortages, with support equivalent to up to 10 percent of the affected country’s normal domestic requirement.
In the event of a region-wide petroleum shortage, the ASEAN Council on Petroleum Secretary-in-Charge will coordinate with regional and international bodies to manage emergency energy supplies.
As the situation continues to evolve, Lazaro said ASEAN will further intensify coordination among sectoral bodies responsible for economic affairs, finance, transport, agriculture, food security, and energy cooperation.
NPO News Team | Philippine News Agency - PR
