Asean Ministers Urge Halt To Mid-East War As Crisis Rattles Energy
On Friday, March 13 in Manila, Asian nations' foreign and economic leaders convened urgently following the escalation of hostilities between Iran-backed militias. The ministers called for an immediate cessation to prevent further disruption that could lead to a prolonged period of instability affecting global energy supply chains and food security.
Key Points
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1ASEAN foreign, defense, economy and finance officials convened a virtual special meeting on March 13 in the Philippines regarding escalating tensions between Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Israel.
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2Ministers urged restraint from both sides of the conflict to prevent further escalation that could impact regional stability.
Developments
Perspectives
[Mar.13] ASEAN Foreign Defense Economy Finance Officials Urge Restraint as Tensions Rise Between IRGC & Iran
— [Manila Times]ASEAN Economic Ministers expressed concern over rising energy prices and supply chain disruptions caused by escalating tensions between Iran's retaliation against Israel-US attacks in the Middle East. The officials called for diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict, pledged market openness despite US Section 301 investigations on trade uncertainties, emphasized food security needs while strengthening regional economic cooperation agreements with coordination rather than reacting passively
ASEAN foreign and economic Ministers convened virtually on February 28-30 (implied by context of "February" date) to urge respect for international law following Israel's attacks on Iran and Lebanon. The leaders expressed serious concern over the resulting retaliatory strikes affecting multiple states, warning that these conflicts threaten civilian safety while disrupting global energy markets through economic volatility.
ASEAN Economic Ministers warned that prolonged geopolitical instability from escalating Middle East tensions threatens regional supply chains, growth, and security due to rising oil prices and disrupted shipping routes in response to recent US-Israeli strikes on Iran. In the joint statement issued during their retreat in Manila (2026), they pledged enhanced cooperation while reaffirming a commitment to de-escalating conflicts through diplomatic means for long-term economic predictability.
Asean foreign and economic ministers called for an immediate halt to hostilities in Iran's conflict due to rising global energy prices that are already impacting Southeast Asia. The bloc emphasized keeping supply chains open while member states implemented measures such as conserving fuel, stabilizing domestic markets, exploring alternative oil sources like Russia imports from the Middle East (due).
ASEAN Economic Ministers met in Manila on March 13, stating that strengthening regional energy and food security is necessary due to escalating conflicts in the Middle East; they also vowed to maintain openness for international trade within their bloc's economy. The meeting took place between ASEAN member states with a focus on mitigating economic disruptions caused by geopolitical tensions abroad.