ASEAN Unveils Regional Resilience Measures Over West Asia Crisis
KUALA LUMPUR, May 8 (Bernama) -- ASEAN leaders have unveiled a series of priority actions aimed at strengthening regional resilience in response to the ongoing West Asia crisis, with measures covering energy security, food supply, trade stability, financial resilience and humanitarian coordination.
The initiatives were outlined in the ASEAN Leaders’ Statement on the Response to the West Asia Crisis, adopted at the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, the Philippines, on Friday.
Under the first pillar, ASEAN agreed to strengthen crisis coordination and institutional readiness by enhancing consultation mechanisms at all levels and exploring the establishment of a crisis communication and coordination protocol among ASEAN foreign ministers.
The grouping also pledged to make better use of ASEAN-led platforms, including ASEAN Plus Three, the East Asia Summit, and the ASEAN Regional Forum, to promote dialogue and cooperation in addressing the spillover effects of the conflict.
On energy security, ASEAN leaders called for the expedited ratification of the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Petroleum Security (APSA) and agreed to strengthen regional preparedness through coordinated emergency response mechanisms and improved information sharing.
The leaders also reaffirmed the importance of diversifying energy sources through renewable energy, biofuels, electric vehicles, and cross-border power connectivity projects such as the ASEAN Power Grid and the Trans-ASEAN Gas Pipeline.
To strengthen financial resilience, ASEAN agreed to enhance policy coordination among member states, improve liquidity management to support intra-ASEAN trade and investment, and expand financial inclusion for vulnerable groups and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
On food security, ASEAN leaders pledged to intensify regional monitoring of food production, fertiliser supply, prices and logistics disruptions through existing mechanisms such as the ASEAN Food Security Information System (AFSIS).
They also agreed to explore the use of the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve (APTERR) to strengthen regional food resilience during crises.
To ensure trade and supply chain stability, ASEAN committed to maintaining open markets, secure sea lanes, and the uninterrupted flow of essential goods, while strengthening logistics coordination and avoiding unnecessary trade restrictions.
The grouping also stressed the importance of accelerating regional economic integration through the timely ratification of the Second Protocol to Amend the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA), greater use of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and the conclusion of the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA).
On the humanitarian front, ASEAN leaders pledged to strengthen cross-border coordination and consular cooperation to safeguard ASEAN nationals in affected areas, while enhancing the role of the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management (AHA Centre) in responding to crises.
-- BERNAMA
