Marcos urges fellow ASEAN leaders to ensure regional energy, food security

CEBU, Philippines – Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. opened the 48th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit plenary session on Friday, May 8, with a call to strengthen regional coordination to ensure stable energy and food supply.

Marcos noted that trade and transport disruptions caused by the Strait of Hormuz closure affected global food prices and supply, particularly fertilizer prices.

The Philippine President said that ASEAN leaders’ task now is to boost renewable energy sources to protect economies from further shocks, and to expand trade within the regional bloc to safeguard food systems across the region.

“In an increasingly uncertain world, we call for our collective action and it has never been more urgent so we must continue to uphold the principles of ASEAN centrality and solidarity and pursue practical cooperation,” he added.

Watch Marcos’ opening statement in the video above. – Rappler.com