Hanoi, April 15 -- Member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have agreed to strengthen coordination to mitigate the impact of the conflict in the Middle East on trade, energy, and food security in the region.

At the second Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting on the situation in the Middle East, held online on April 13, senior diplomats emphasised the need to maintain intra-ASEAN trade and investment flows while strengthening supply chain connectivity, according to a statement from the Philippines - ASEAN Chair in 2026.

The ministers stressed the necessity of ensuring timely, reliable, and secure access to essential goods, raw materials, and energy supplies, while avoiding unnecessary trade restrictions." ...