Jakarta, April 24 -- Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro underscored the importance of ASEAN unity and strategic partnerships in navigating global uncertainties during a policy dialogue in Jakarta on April 23.

Speaking at the event, co-hosted by the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia (FPCI) and Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia, Lazaro noted that the world is facing unpredictable volatility, particularly the spillover effects of tensions in the Middle East on regional energy security and supply chains.

In this context, she stressed that the solidarity and central role of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) serve as a "reliable anchor" for overcoming challenges. As ASEAN Chair in 2026, the...