Center3 min read
ASEAN Cebu summit pushes oil-sharing pact and proposes South China Sea maritime centre
Primary region Asia
Tags Energy · Diplomacy · Security
Regions Asia
Interaksyon (Philippine Star) · Cebu Daily News·
Primary region Asia
Tags Energy · Diplomacy · Security
Regions Asia
The 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, Philippines (May 7-8) ended with leaders calling for urgent ratification of the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement amid energy shocks from the Iran war's closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Philippine President Marcos Jr proposed establishing an ASEAN Maritime Centre in the Philippines to coordinate on South China Sea issues. ASEAN remains optimistic about completing the Code of Conduct with China by end of 2026. The Philippines declared an energy emergency, among the first countries globally to do so.
The Iran war's impact on Strait of Hormuz shipping has forced ASEAN to confront its energy vulnerability, with the Philippines' emergency declaration highlighting the region's dependence on Gulf oil. The proposed ASEAN Maritime Centre would institutionalize regional coordination on the South China Sea, but its effectiveness depends on whether China engages constructively on the Code of Conduct negotiations.