Cebu, May 8 (AseanAll) — Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. called for stronger regional coordination and effective implementation of action plans by the 11 member-nations of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to better prepare for emerging global risks.
The Philippine leader made the call as he opened the 48th ASEAN Summit Retreat at Mactan Expo in Cebuon May 8,2026.
“We gather at a time of uncertainty—a time when events far beyond our region remind us once again of how deeply interconnected we are,” Marcos said, noting that no nation is insulated from the ripple effects of conflicts and instability occurring in other parts of the world.
Marcos warned that in an increasingly interconnected world, disruptions in one region can quickly spread across supply chains, financial markets, and the daily lives of people in Southeast Asia.
The President cited the recent oil-supply disruptions as an example of how external shocks can trigger a domino effect across economies, affecting business operations, employment, and household livelihoods.
“While the impact may differ from country to country in ASEAN at present, there is no denying that this disruption will have an impact on the future,” he said.
“Even if the tensions de-escalate in time, the damage to critical infrastructure, vital systems, and trust in general will continue to be felt for years to come.”
Marcos said such risks were already anticipated in ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future, which identified major power rivalries, supply-chain disruptions, and resource security issues as key challenges facing the region.
The President said that while these difficulties pose challenges, they also present opportunities for ASEAN to build a more resilient, innovative, dynamic, and people-centered community.“
It is therefore critical that we, as the Leaders of the ASEAN Nations, ensure that the concrete steps towards achieving these goals are supported and enacted,” he said.
Consistent with the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairship theme, “Navigating Our Future, Together,” President Marcos said the country has advanced the LEAD–SAIL–RISE Framework, which aligns ASEAN’s three community pillars into a more coherent regional strategy.
Under the framework, LEAD reinforces a rules-based and resilient Political-Security Community, SAIL advances an integrated and innovation-driven Economic Community, and RISE promotes a people-centered and inclusive Socio-Cultural Community.
Marcos said the framework is intended to translate ASEAN’s long-term vision into coordinated action on peace, prosperity, and people empowerment.
The President also cited his discussions with fellow ASEAN leaders during earlier sessions, where they tackled energy security, food-supply stability, and the welfare of nationals working abroad, which he described as “immediate responsibilities” requiring collective action.
Marcos then urged ASEAN leaders to use the Retreat to strengthen institutions, maximize existing mechanisms, and improve implementation of action plans to prevent future crises.
He expressed confidence that the discussions would help ASEAN move forward in a more coordinated way, consistent with the region’s shared goal of building resilience under the “Navigating Our Future, Together” theme.
