Cebu, May 7 (AseanAll)  — Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, on May 7, 2026, highlighted the importance of strengthening regional collaboration amid global challenges during the Brunei Darussalam–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Special Summit on the sidelines of the 48th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit in Cebu, the Philippines.

In his remarks, Prabowo emphasized the urgency of fostering more adaptive and impactful cooperation, particularly in energy and food security.

“This Special Summit comes at a very critical time. The challenges we face demand closer and more effective collaboration among us,” said Prabowo.

Prabowo stated that BIMP-EAGA must continue to evolve its efforts to better address the needs of the people in the region. He noted that sub-regional cooperation must become more adaptive, impactful, and responsive to the ever-changing global landscape.

“With that spirit, BIMP-EAGA must continue to evolve. BIMP-EAGA must be more adaptive, more impactful, and more responsive to the needs of our people,” he added.

Prabowo also emphasized that the current priority for member states is protecting the safety and lives of their people.

He noted that the BIMP-EAGA 2035 vision has provided a clear direction, but the next challenge lies in ensuring its effective implementation.

“Our priority is clear. It is to protect the safety and livelihoods of our people. The BIMP-EAGA 2035 Vision has provided us with a clear direction. What remains now is to make it a reality,” the President said.

The President also said that regional solidarity and cooperation are key to ASEAN’s resilience against the increasingly complex global dynamics.