ASEAN on Middle East War: Peace—now
LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu — “Peace—now.”
This was the straightforward message of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) leaders to parties involved in the escalating Middle East conflict, according to President Marcos.
Speaking during a press conference on the sidelines of the 48th ASEAN Summit here, Marcos said ASEAN leaders are united in calling for an immediate end to hostilities involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.
“Peace. Peace. That is — it’s that simple. Peace,” Marcos said on Friday, May 8, when asked what ASEAN was calling for from parties involved in the conflict.
“That is why the call essentially is peace—now,” he added.
ASEAN urges ceasefire
Marcos said ASEAN foreign ministers had already issued a statement before the summit, urging all sides to stop fighting and de-escalate tensions.
“We have the Foreign Ministers, when they met previous to this Summit, already put out that document calling for all parties to cease hostilities and to take a step back, open the Strait of Hormuz, and find a way for a lasting peace,” he said.
The President stressed that meaningful solutions would remain impossible unless the violence stopped.
“That’s the first step, because we will achieve absolutely nothing until there is peace,” Marcos said.
‘Limbo situation’
According to Marcos, uncertainty continues to surround the situation in the Middle East despite ongoing ceasefire efforts.
“We now are in this limbo situation where we don't know how long it's going to last,” he said.
“We don't know when the next encounter is going to be. Is the ceasefire on? Is it not on? Is Israel included? Is Hezbollah included?” he added.
The President described the situation as “very difficult,” saying the continuing bombings and military exchanges make long-term solutions harder to achieve.
“So again, until the fighting ends, until the bombings end, then it's very difficult to put together any kind of solution,” he said.
ASEAN statement adopted
ASEAN leaders on Friday adopted a formal statement on the bloc’s response to the Middle East crisis, expressing “serious concern” over the rapidly evolving conflict and its impact on regional and global stability.
The leaders welcomed the ceasefire between the United States and Iran mediated by Pakistan and called on all parties to maintain restraint and continue negotiations in good faith.
“We underscored the importance of maintaining regional peace, stability, and prosperity, upholding international law, and promoting genuine dialogue and diplomacy,” the statement read.
Strait of Hormuz concerns
The ASEAN statement also raised alarm over disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route for oil and energy supplies.
ASEAN leaders called for the restoration of the “safe, unimpeded, and continuous transit passage” of vessels and aircraft in the strait in accordance with international law.
The bloc also warned that the conflict was already affecting energy markets, food supply chains, transportation, and economic stability across Southeast Asia.
Protecting ASEAN nationals
Aside from economic concerns, ASEAN leaders also discussed the welfare and safety of ASEAN nationals working in affected areas in the Middle East.
The statement reaffirmed ASEAN’s commitment to provide emergency assistance and consular support to citizens caught in crises abroad.