HOLOPIS.COM, JAKARTA – Southeast Asian nations have pledged to strengthen regional cooperation to address the social and economic consequences of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, while calling for the protection of international shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
The commitment was outlined in a joint statement issued by ASEAN foreign ministers on Tuesday during the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) in Manila, the Philippines.
“We recognize the immediate and long-term impacts of the Middle East crisis on the well-being of our peoples,” the ministers said in the joint statement, Holopis.com reported, Wednseday (22/7).
The ministers acknowledged that the conflict could have far-reaching consequences beyond the region, affecting the livelihoods and economic stability of ASEAN member states.
They said ASEAN governments are continuing to implement regional and national initiatives aimed at mitigating the social and economic effects of external shocks while ensuring access to healthcare and essential public services, particularly for vulnerable communities.
“We note ongoing initiatives at both the regional and national levels to advance measures that mitigate the socio-economic impacts of external shocks and support access to healthcare and essential services for our peoples, especially the most vulnerable,” the statement said.
The ministers also reaffirmed ASEAN’s commitment to providing emergency assistance to citizens of member states affected by crises, emphasizing the importance of protecting ASEAN nationals living or working in conflict-affected areas.
Calls for Safe Shipping Through the Strait of Hormuz
ASEAN also stressed the importance of maintaining safe international navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important maritime trade routes.
The foreign ministers underscored the need to uphold maritime safety, security, and freedom of navigation in accordance with international law.
They also expressed concern over any discriminatory or unilateral actions that could disrupt commercial shipping through the waterway.
“We express our deep concern over any discriminatory or unilateral actions that may obstruct or impede vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, or any strait used for international navigation,” the statement said.
The joint statement was issued during the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, which is being held in Manila from July 21 to 25.
The gathering is also attended by several ASEAN dialogue partners, including Russia, China, the United States, Japan, India, and South Korea.
The Philippines, which holds ASEAN’s rotating chairmanship this year, is expected to forward the outcomes of the ministerial discussions to ASEAN leaders ahead of the ASEAN Summit scheduled for November 2026.
