Foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Monday, April 13, called for restraint and sustained diplomatic engagement amid rising tensions in the Middle East, while welcoming the temporary ceasefire between the United States and Iran.
Speaking at an online press briefing, Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro said discussions during the Second Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting focused on energy security, food supply stability, and the protection of nationals in conflict-affected areas.
Lazaro said ASEAN foreign ministers are calling for the “full and effective implementation of the two-week ceasefire,” alongside the identification of both immediate and long-term measures to reduce the crisis’s impact.
In a joint statement, ASEAN member states described the April 8 ceasefire as an important step toward easing tensions in the region.
The bloc also underscored the importance of maintaining maritime security, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global trade route through which roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil supply passes.
ASEAN reaffirmed its commitment to international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), to ensure freedom of navigation and overflight in international waters.
Foreign ministers likewise called for the restoration of safe and uninterrupted passage for ships and aircraft, warning that disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz could significantly affect global energy supply, oil prices, and overall economic stability.
They further emphasized compliance with international safety frameworks, including the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, as well as guidelines set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).