Philippines Urges Stronger ASEAN Maritime Resilience Amid Geopolitical Risks
By Linda Khoo
KUALA LUMPUR, July 10 (Bernama) -- The Philippines has called on ASEAN to strengthen the resilience of key maritime routes, including the Strait of Malacca and the South China Sea, to safeguard regional trade, energy security and supply chains amid growing geopolitical uncertainty.
Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro said the recent disruption in the Strait of Hormuz had demonstrated how disruptions to major shipping routes could drive up energy prices, fuel inflation, threaten food security and disrupt global supply chains.
“Our region is particularly exposed because of its deep integration into the global trading system. Any significant disruption to shipping routes and logistics networks could affect ASEAN’s economic stability, especially if it results in higher operating costs, production delays, or reduced competitiveness.
“ASEAN’s response must therefore focus on preparedness and practical cooperation, including maintaining secure and open sea lanes, strengthening supply chain resilience, and enhancing cooperation on energy security, food security, trade facilitation, and connectivity,” she told Bernama in a written interview.
Lazaro said ASEAN could further strengthen its response by developing additional crisis communication and coordination protocols, including at the foreign ministers' level, to enable the region to respond more quickly and cohesively when crises unfold.
She said she had proposed such a communication protocol during the Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting on the situation in West Asia, while also calling for greater technical cooperation, information-sharing and early warning capabilities to help manage and prevent potential crises.
"These steps matter because openness, transparency, and predictability will help facilitate and bolster confidence in the seamless flow of international trade and movement of supply chains across our region," she said.
As part of efforts to strengthen regional maritime cooperation, Lazaro said the establishment of the ASEAN Maritime Centre in the Philippines was among the key deliverables under the country's 2026 ASEAN Chairship.
She said the centre would support ASEAN and ASEAN-led mechanisms on maritime-related issues while promoting cross-sectoral and cross-pillar collaboration among ASEAN member states.
-- BERNAMA
