Bangkok: Foreign ministers from 11 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), along with key dialogue partners, met in Manila today amid unrest outside the region following renewed clashes between the United States and Iran. This has raised concerns about energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, inflation, and global economic growth.
According to Thai News Agency, Philippine Foreign Minister Maria Teresa Lazaro stated at the opening ceremony that the world is living in an era defined by volatility, uncertainty, and instability. Global developments and changes continue to impact and create tensions against world peace, security, and stability. Therefore, it is highly appropriate to reiterate ASEAN's central theme for this year: "Navigating Towards a Shared Future."
In addition, a group of foreign ministers from the Southeast Asian region will hold informal discussions on the conflict situation in Myanmar, as ASEAN's peace agreement remains stalled five years after its inception. This follows a military coup that plunged the country into civil war and resulted in approximately 100,000 deaths.
Meanwhile, the meeting is expected to discuss the tense situation in the South China Sea, where ASEAN and China have been working for almost a decade to achieve a code of conduct in the South China Sea, in order to prevent disputes from escalating and intensifying.