Leaders of Southeast Asian countries have gathered at a summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the Philippines to discuss the impact of the Iran–US war and rising fuel prices across the region.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., speaking at the opening of the summit, said the conflict involving the United States and Israel against Iran has increased the cost of living and threatened livelihoods both in Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
He stressed that ASEAN member states must strengthen coordination to ensure energy supply stability and enhance regional cooperation.
The report noted that Southeast Asian countries are among those most affected by tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, a key route through which a significant share of the region’s oil and gas supplies passes.
It added that ASEAN is expected to issue a joint statement calling for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, stronger energy cooperation, and improved crisis response coordination.
In response to the energy crisis, several countries in the region, including Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia, have introduced measures such as energy price controls and fuel-saving programmes.
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