Against a backdrop of rising geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty in the Middle East, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Cristina A. Roque officially opened the 32nd ASEAN Economic Ministers’ (AEM) Retreat on Friday.
The Philippines, serving as this year’s ASEAN Chair, is steering the regional bloc toward a strategy of proactive “geoeconomic navigation” rather than reactive crisis management.
In her opening remarks, Secretary Roque framed regional resilience as the cornerstone of ASEAN’s economic survival. Addressing the impact of the Middle East crisis on energy markets and shipping routes, she emphasized that the bloc must move beyond open markets toward deep policy coordination.
“For ASEAN, resilience is no longer an aspiration. It is our primary shield,” said Secretary Roque. “Our goal is to strengthen regional resilience, support innovation, and deepen economic integration to create opportunities that reach our businesses, our workers, and our communities.”
DTI Undersecretary Allan B. Gepty confirmed that the Retreat’s agenda specifically addresses the worsening conflict in the Middle East. Key focus areas include:
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Energy Security: Mitigating the impact of rising oil prices.
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Trade Logistics: Addressing disruptions to international shipping routes.
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Investor Confidence: Stabilizing the regional investment climate amid global shifts.
To mirror these regional efforts domestically, the Philippine government under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has already initiated fuel-saving measures, including shortened government workweeks and proposals to suspend fuel excise taxes to stabilize costs for citizens.
A major highlight of the Philippines’ Chairship is the transition of the ASEAN Geoeconomics Task Force into a permanent ASEAN Geoeconomic Group. This permanent body is designed to provide ASEAN with the foresight needed to navigate global shifts collectively.
Additionally, the Philippines is prioritizing the Digital Economic Framework Agreement (DEFA) as a key Priority Economic Deliverable, aiming to future-proof the region’s digital trade landscape.
