ASEAN Summit in Manila: Global Leaders Gather Amid Energy Crisis and Geopolitical Tensions

Southeast Asian nations within the ASEAN economic bloc are convening in the Philippines from November 15 to 17 for a critical summit. The region is currently grappling with severe oil shortages resulting from the US-Israel war on Iran and the economic strain caused by the US-China rivalry.

The Manila summit will host US President Donald Trump, who is scheduled to hold a special session with ASEAN members on November 17 and a bilateral meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. before proceeding to China for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting. Other high-profile attendees include India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney, Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva—marking the first visit by a sitting Brazilian president to the Philippines—and Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

Key Issues on the Agenda:

• Energy Crisis: The US-Iran war has disrupted oil and gas supplies from the Middle East, leaving the Philippines, Vietnam, and Malaysia particularly vulnerable. Manila previously declared a national energy emergency in March. There are also concerns regarding the safety of ASEAN citizens in the Middle East and the potential for conflict to spill into the Strait of Malacca.
• Trade Tensions: Under the second term of US President Donald Trump, ASEAN countries have faced tariff hikes of 10-12.5%, prompting the bloc to seek stronger trade ties elsewhere.
• South China Sea: Territorial disputes involving China, Taiwan, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam persist. Despite multiple rounds of talks led by Malaysia to establish a "code of conduct," analysts remain skeptical that a final agreement will be reached this week.
• Regional Conflicts: Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia over a contested 800km border and sacred sites like the Preah Vihear Shiva temple have resulted in a ceasefire since December, though the wider dispute remains unresolved. Additionally, the ongoing civil war in Myanmar and the Rohingya refugee crisis remain top priorities as the bloc pushes for democracy.
• Environmental Crisis: Widespread wildfires in Indonesia have scorched 2.88 million hectares, causing at least 3,500 deaths and creating a haze that has affected Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and East Timor.