Manila: Leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) endorsed faster implementation of regional energy-sharing mechanisms and power interconnectivity projects amid growing concerns over global fuel supply disruptions linked to the conflict in the Middle East. At a press conference following the 48th ASEAN Summit here, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said the regional bloc agreed on the need for stable and reliable energy supply chains and stronger regional cooperation on energy security.
According to Philippines News Agency, among the concrete measures discussed was the expedited ratification of the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Petroleum Security (APSA), which would allow ASEAN member-states to assist neighbors experiencing fuel shortages. The APSA mechanism allows ASEAN countries to provide petroleum supplies to member-states facing shortages equivalent to at least 10 percent of their domestic fuel requirement.
Earlier, ASEAN economic ministers agreed to accelerate the completion of the APSA amid concerns over potential disruptions in global oil supply routes. The ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States has heightened fears over instability in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil transit corridor.
Apart from the petroleum-sharing mechanism, ASEAN leaders also pushed for the operationalization of the ASEAN Power Grid, a regional initiative aimed at connecting the electricity networks of all ASEAN member-states. Marcos said the project would support cross-border electricity trading, improve renewable energy integration, and help provide more affordable electricity across Southeast Asia.
"We pushed for the operationalization of the ASEAN Power Grid-connecting the electricity networks of all ten Member States to enable cross-border power trading, support renewable integration, and deliver more affordable electricity to nearly 700 million people," Marcos stated. Discussions during the Philippines' hosting of the 2026 ASEAN were dominated by the disruptions in global energy supply chains.
