Second Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on the Middle East convened online
WVR - On the afternoon of April 13, ASEAN Foreign Ministers held the second special meeting in an online format to discuss, evaluate, and coordinate ASEAN countries' responses to the complex and rapidly changing situation in the Middle East. Politburo member, Party Secretary, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung attended the meeting.
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This is the second special meeting of ASEAN Foreign Ministers on the Middle East situation. The first meeting took place on March 13, 2026.
At the meeting, ASEAN Foreign Ministers shared assessments of the impact of the situation in the Middle East, expressing concerns over the multifaceted effects on energy security, food security, and the safety of ASEAN citizens in the region. They emphasized strengthening solidarity, enhancing the central role, and maintaining ASEAN's common stance.
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| The Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs' point of contact participating in the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
The Ministers welcomed the temporary ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Iran announced on April 8, 2026, and expressed hope that its effective implementation will help ease tensions and lay the groundwork for diplomatic solutions.
The Ministers emphasized the importance of all countries fulfilling their responsibilities to resolve disputes by peaceful means, respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity in accordance with international law, the United Nations Charter, the ASEAN Charter, and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC). The meeting also highlighted the importance of ensuring maritime and aviation safety and freedom in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982), especially in the Strait of Hormuz.
Given the multifaceted impacts of the conflict on the region, the Ministers agreed that ASEAN needs to enhance its resilience and self-reliance in economics and energy. The meeting emphasized the effective utilization of existing mechanisms such as the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA), the ASEAN Power Grid (APG), and the Trans-ASEAN Gas Pipeline (TAGP).
Regarding citizen protection, the Ministers appreciated the timely support from member countries in recent times, reaffirming their commitment to be ready to support and coordinate emergency assistance for each other's citizens in crisis situations.
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Speaking at the meeting, Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung shared assessments of the far-reaching impacts of the conflict, noting that the meeting presents an opportunity for ASEAN to review and adjust strategies towards building a more resilient and sustainable Community.
The Vietnamese Foreign Minister emphasized that in the current context, ASEAN's solidarity and central role are crucial, suggesting that the group leverage its position and unified stance when engaging with relevant parties to ensure the safety of ASEAN vessels and citizens in the region. He also highlighted the need to enhance strategic autonomy, strengthen cross-pillar and cross-sectoral coordination, and improve the group’s capacity to respond to and anticipate complex future challenges.
Regarding economics and energy, the Vietnamese Foreign Minister proposed accelerating key connectivity projects such as the ASEAN Power Grid (APG) and the Trans-ASEAN Gas Pipeline (TAGP), as well as readiness to activate emergency support mechanisms under the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA).
Foreign Minister Trung proposed a cross-sectoral approach linking energy and food security, including exploring the expansion of the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve (APTERR) to cover other essential goods and agricultural inputs, while boosting cooperation with bloc partners to mitigate supply risks. He also called for enhanced social welfare measures to support vulnerable groups.
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| The ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting held online with the participation of ASEAN Foreign Ministers. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Participants welcomed Vietnam’s initiative on a common ASEAN response strategy to developments in the Middle East and other extra-regional crises, and agreed to develop a leaders’ statement on a unified response, expected to be submitted to the 48th ASEAN Summit in May for adoption.
The meeting emphasised the effective utilisation of existing mechanisms such as APSA, APG and TAGP. On consular protection, ministers commended timely support among member states and reaffirmed their commitment to mutual assistance in times of crisis.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the Philippines, as ASEAN Chair for 2026, issued the Chairman’s Statement summarising key outcomes, including proposals to strengthen supply chain resilience, energy and food security, and crisis response mechanisms, aiming to strengthen ASEAN's crisis response capabilities in the future.
Also on April 13, ASEAN Foreign Ministers issued a Statement on developments in the Middle East, welcoming the recently agreed ceasefire and calling on all parties to exercise restraint, act responsibly and pursue peaceful, diplomatic solutions towards sustainable peace.
The statement underscored the importance of maintaining maritime and aviation security, safety and freedom in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and called for ensuring smooth navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
The Ministers also reaffirmed obligations to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, as well as to ensure the safety of humanitarian personnel and United Nations peacekeeping forces.
