Manila, March 11 (AseanAll)  — The Philippines, in its capacity as ASEAN Chair, convened a Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting on 13 March 2026 to address the escalating security crisis in the Middle East and its far-reaching implications for regional economic stability, energy security, and the safety of ASEAN nationals in affected areas.

Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Chair of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting, presided over the extraordinary session, which brought together Foreign Ministers from across the eleven Member States in a demonstration of ASEAN's collective resolve.

Photo source:The ASEAN Secretariat

Consistent with the Philippines' ASEAN Chairship theme, "Navigating our Future, Together," the Ministers issued a unified call for the immediate cessation of hostilities, the exercise of maximum restraint by all parties, the protection of civilians and critical infrastructure, and an urgent return to diplomatic dialogue as the only path to durable peace and stability.

The Foreign Ministers held in-depth exchanges on the broader consequences of the crisis, with particular attention to its cascading effects on energy supply chains, commodity prices, macroeconomic stability, and the welfare of ASEAN nationals currently in conflict-affected areas. The Ministers reaffirmed ASEAN's collective obligation to extend emergency assistance and consular protection to nationals of Member States throughout this crisis.

The Philippines, as Chair, called on Member States to move swiftly in identifying and implementing short-term mitigation measures, including the sharing of best practices, coordinated policy responses to cushion economic shocks, and concrete steps to safeguard both ASEAN nationals abroad and regional energy supply chains. The Chair underscored that solidarity and collective action remain ASEAN's most powerful instruments in navigating the present crisis.