‘There is a need for collective action’: Middle East crisis dominates ASEAN Summit in Cebu

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Under the sweltering heat in this central Philippine province known for its beaches, convoys swept down palm-lined roads carrying South-east Asian leaders bound for the ASEAN Summit.

Cebu was chosen in part to highlight the country’s tourism appeal, but is now hosting a shortened summit dominated by mounting anxieties over fuel prices, inflation and supply chain disruptions triggered by the Middle East conflict. It is being closely watched to see how the regional grouping responds to the external shocks threatening to strain fragile economies.

Talks got off to a good start on May 7 with ASEAN economic ministers pledging to – among other things – move on the ASEAN Power Grid, a long-term plan to connect electricity networks in member countries to a regional grid. They urged ASEAN to accelerate the development of a framework on submarine power cables, which is essential for energy imports, said a statement from Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI).

The Enhanced ASEAN Guidelines for Strengthening Resilience and Repair of Submarine Cables, updated from the 2019 guidelines and adopted in January, outline international best practices that member states can adopt to better protect and maintain submarine cables.

The ministers also pledged to strengthen regional supply chain resilience and keep trade flowing amid fears of wider disruptions.

Source: Wikipedia