May 12, 2026
CEBU CITY – Southeast Asian leaders are calling for the swift ratification of the region’s energy security framework agreement, with the regional bloc’s chief expressing confidence it can be achieved before the 49th Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Summit.
Ratifying the Asean Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA) has now been elevated to a political priority, Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn announced in a press briefer on Monday, May 11.
According to Kao, leaders stressed the importance of APSA in ensuring a stable energy supply chain and reducing the region’s vulnerability to external shocks.
“The leaders have given clear instructions that APSA must be expedited by all Asean member states,” Kao said.
While no fixed timeline was set for ratification, Kao expressed confidence that the process would move quickly, ideally before the 49th Asean Summit.
“I cannot give a time frame, but of course, I’m sure that it should be done before the 49th Asean Summit,” said Kao.
Energy security emerged as one of the central priorities during the Cebu summit, alongside food security and the protection of Asean nationals abroad.
Energy security
Leaders highlighted the need for stronger regional energy interconnections and diversification of energy sources, including accelerated investments in renewable energy.
A major component of the discussions was the Asean Power Grid initiative, which aims to enable cross-border electricity trade among member states.
Likewise, they pushed for the establishment of energy stockpiles within the region, a proposal that has gained increasing attention amid concerns over supply disruptions linked to geopolitical tensions and conflicts beyond Southeast Asia.