ASEAN Summit 2026 to focus on energy security, disaster resilience - PCO

The 48th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Leaders’ Summit in Cebu later this week will discuss ways on how member states can ensure energy security amid the tensions in the Middle East, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Acting Secretary Dave Gomez said Tuesday.

Gomez stated during a press briefing that President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. initiated the refocusing of the summit's agenda. The Philippines is the ASEAN chairman for this year.

“With the impact of the Middle East tension bearing heavily on Asia, upon the initiative of His Excellency President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the leaders have refocused the agenda to include discussions on energy security and a unified response to mitigate negative effects on individual member states,” he said.

Gomez also said that the ASEAN leaders are set to tackle enhancing disaster resilience, days after ashfall caused by the restive Mayon Volcano affected several towns in Albay province.

“Disaster resilience is part of the agenda under which ASEAN member states commit to collaborative frameworks that enhance community-based early warning systems, rapid humanitarian response and support for affected populations, ensuring that volcanic disasters like the one we have with the Mayon Volcano today do not undermine vulnerable communities but instead drive inclusive, people-centered resilience strategies among member states and across the region,” he added.

Gomez made the remark during the opening of the ASEAN 2026 International Media Center (IMC) in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, ahead of the summit on May 7 to 8, 2026.

The theme of ASEAN Philippines 2026 is “Navigating Our Future, Together,” highlighting regional unity, resilience, and a commitment to a people-centered community, focusing on navigating challenges through collective action.

Established in 1967, the ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Timor Leste. — VBL, GMA News