The Association of Southeast Asian Nations will proceed with its May leadership summit in the Philippines, though it will be condensed to focus on essential issues. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. says regional leaders agreed to coordinate efforts during the current Middle East conflict rather than postpone the gathering.
MANILA – Despite ongoing turmoil in the Middle East, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will move forward with its scheduled May leadership summit, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced Friday.
The summit will be streamlined to concentrate on critical regional concerns including energy supply chains, rising food costs, and the welfare of migrant workers throughout the region, Marcos explained.
After discussions with fellow leaders from the 10-member Southeast Asian bloc, Marcos said he had inquired whether they would prefer delaying the gathering due to the Middle Eastern crisis.
“The consensus that we came to is that it is precisely now that we must coordinate our efforts,” Marcos told reporters.
The decision reflects the regional group’s commitment to addressing pressing economic and humanitarian challenges affecting Southeast Asia, even as global attention remains focused on conflicts elsewhere.
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