PM Wong to head to Cebu for Asean Summit; leaders to discuss trade, energy security amid Middle East tensions

[SINGAPORE] Prime Minister Lawrence Wong will be in Cebu in the Philippines from Thursday (May 7) to Saturday for the 48th Asean Summit, where regional leaders are expected to discuss trade and energy security amid ongoing Middle East supply chain disruptions.

The summit – held under the Philippines’ chairmanship theme of Navigating Our Future, Together – is the first of two biannual Asean summits this year and will focus on intra-Asean cooperation.

The deepening economic toll of the US and Israel’s war on Iran will be at the top of the agenda when South-east Asian leaders and officials meet in the central Philippine province.

They are expected to discuss ways to strengthen the region’s trade, energy and food security, as well as accelerate the bloc’s green energy transition amid supply chain disruptions and rising energy prices due to the Middle East crisis, said Singapore’s Prime Minister’s Office in a statement on Wednesday.

The leaders will also discuss strengthening collaboration with Asean’s external parties “to advance shared priorities and reinforce regional stability”.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr had said that they will focus on the global oil crisis, food security and the safety of migrant workers. He had also given a directive to scale down Asean events during the year, including the summit in Cebu.

During his trip, PM Wong will also hold bilateral meetings with other leaders on the sidelines of the summit.

Regional resilience on the agenda

Key agenda items include energy security, with leaders expected to highlight Asean’s cooperation in the swift ratification of the Asean Petroleum Security Agreement; investments in renewable energy through the Asean Power Grid; and enhancing food security and intra-Asean supply chain connectivity through deals such as the Asean Trade in Goods Agreement.

Leaders are also expected to reaffirm Asean’s unity in responding to developments in the Middle East, and to underscore member states’ commitment to upholding international law, including the right of transit passage enshrined in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

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Among the potential deliverables are an Asean Leaders’ Declaration on Maritime Cooperation and an Asean Leaders’ Statement on Priority Actions for Regional Resilience in response to the impact of the Middle East situation on Asean.

In Cebu, PM Wong will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan.

While he is away, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam will serve as acting prime minister on Thursday. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong will assume the role from Friday to Saturday.