ASEAN foreign ministers opened three days of talks in Manila and issued a joint call for an immediate stop to Middle East fighting and the full, safe reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
More than 680 million people in Southeast Asia depend heavily on Middle East oil and gas, leaving the region exposed to the supply and price shocks from the renewed U.S.-Iran conflict.
Marco Rubio arrived Tuesday for ASEAN meetings and is due to meet Wang Yi on Wednesday in the highest-level U.S.-China contact since Donald Trump visited Beijing in May.
A Monday clash at Second Thomas Shoal sharpened the talks' South China Sea focus after the Philippines said China's coast guard injured a Filipino sailor, while both sides summoned each other's ambassadors.
With US munitions depleted by the Iran war, can Indo-Pacific allies still rely on American military promises against China?
As Myanmar's civil war death toll surpasses 100,000, is ASEAN's diplomatic approach to the crisis completely obsolete?
Ten years after a landmark legal victory, why is the Philippines losing more ground in the South China Sea?
Navigating Crisis: ASEAN’s 2026 Ministerial Meetings and the Battle for Regional Credibility
Overview
The 2026 ASEAN Ministerial Meetings in Manila bring together regional leaders at a time of global uncertainty and persistent local tensions. With the Philippines holding the ASEAN presidency, the meetings focus on strengthening regional resilience and upholding international norms, especially regarding conflict and peace. The agenda includes preparing for the upcoming 49th ASEAN Summits, while new dynamics such as East Timor’s full membership and support from partners like Australia highlight ASEAN’s evolving role. Against a backdrop of a volatile international landscape, these discussions are crucial for shaping ASEAN’s response to both global and regional challenges.