Sihasak convened a special ASEAN foreign ministers meeting to discuss ways to provide energy assistance and protect ASEAN citizens in the Middle East conflict zones, continuing efforts to advocate for peaceful negotiations.
13 Mar 2026 GMT+7 Mr. Sihasak Puangketkaew, Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced the results of the special ASEAN foreign ministers meeting on the Middle East situation, revealing the ministers' discussions. This meeting was initiated by Thailand due to the worrying situation in the Middle East, which has direct and indirect impacts on ASEAN. All countries agreed that the current situation affects many nations in the region and reflects a global order based on respect for international rules being undermined. There is concern as the fighting remains intense, with no clear end in sight.
. ASEAN reaffirmed its previous calls from earlier statements, emphasizing the desire to resolve the conflict peacefully and urging all parties to move quickly towards negotiations. The situation has caused heavy losses, especially among civilians, with impacts spreading continuously, including energy crises and ensuing inflation, which threaten food security. In today's discussions, countries exchanged ideas about their internal measures.
Mr. Sihasak continued, ASEAN has a petroleum security framework. Although there is a mechanism to help if any country faces a temporary oil shortage, allowing other ASEAN countries to assist voluntarily, this mechanism has not been seriously utilized. Therefore, discussions are needed on how to make this mechanism effective in practice, acknowledging the challenge since most ASEAN countries are not oil producers. Only Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, and Vietnam produce oil, primarily for domestic use with limited exports. However, there is a shared intention to help each other during crises if shortages become severe, and some countries are able to provide some assistance.
Additionally, there are long-term measures concerning the ASEAN Power Grid system, which has two lines: Line 1 connects Laos-Thailand-Malaysia-Singapore and supports clean energy assistance; the other line connects Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines and is still in early development stages. ASEAN needs to collaboratively develop renewable or clean energy and possibly negotiate with major oil-producing countries about potential support in the future.
Beyond energy, as millions of ASEAN citizens reside in the Middle East, discussions are necessary on how ASEAN countries can assist each other's nationals, especially since some countries lack embassies there. Cooperation is needed to protect and care for citizens. For example, Singapore chartered flights to evacuate its citizens from Saudi Arabia and also helped evacuate other ASEAN nationals, demonstrating ASEAN solidarity in assistance.
ASEAN will continue to push for peaceful negotiations to strengthen the global order, adhering firmly to international rules and laws.