Indonesian FM: ASEAN Summit Highlights Food, Energy Security

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto attended the 48th High-Level Conference of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Cebu, the Philippines, on May 7-8, 2026.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono said the main issue discussed during the conference, including in the plenary session and retreat attended by Prabowo, was ASEAN’s collective response to the impact of the global geopolitical situation.

According to Sugiono, the conflict and instability in the Middle East have directly affected countries across Southeast Asia.

“The main point discussed was ASEAN’s collective response in addressing the situation in the Middle East, which is being felt by everyone and has a direct impact on countries in the region, especially in the economic sector, particularly in food and energy availability,” Sugiono said in Cebu on Saturday, May 9, 2026, as quoted from a Presidential Secretariat video statement.

Sugiono said leaders of Southeast Asian countries shared the understanding that the region must become more resilient in facing growing global uncertainty. Therefore, strengthening regional cooperation in the food and energy sectors became one of the conference’s central topics.

“There is a growing common understanding that under the current global situation, ASEAN needs a joint initiative to become a more resilient region, especially in the energy and food sectors,” he said.

Sugiono, who also serves as secretary-general of the Gerindra Party, said the agenda is in line with the priorities of the Prabowo administration, particularly regarding energy and food security. The Indonesian government, he added, is committed to accelerating various strategic programs to support those goals.

“I think this has also been a fundamental part of the government’s program since the beginning of President Prabowo’s administration, where energy security and food security are among the most essential needs that must be fulfilled by a country, including Indonesia,” Sugiono said.

Prabowo attended the 48th ASEAN Summit in the Philippines for two days, from May 7 to 8, 2026. During the plenary session held at Mactan Expo, Prabowo said ASEAN must become an anchor of stability in the region amid rising global geopolitical tensions.

According to the Indonesian president, this can be achieved by strengthening solidarity and cooperation among member states.

“We have to set an example. We must truly commit to building a strong ASEAN that preserves peace, maintains stability, and values dialogue and collaboration,” Prabowo said on Friday, May 8, as quoted by the Presidential Secretariat.

Read: Prabowo: Indonesia Soon Self-Sufficient in Fuel, No Imports

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