ASEAN ministers call for immediate end to Middle East war

Foreign and economic ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have called for an immediate end to the war in the Middle East, warning that the conflict is already affecting the economies of Southeast Asia.

According to Al Jazeera, officials said the sharp rise in oil prices and disruptions to trade are beginning to impact the region.

Several ASEAN member states have already started implementing measures to reduce the economic fallout. Governments are introducing steps to conserve energy, stabilise domestic markets and protect vulnerable industries, including tourism.

The ministers also stressed the importance of maintaining uninterrupted global energy supply chains and activating regional mechanisms to mitigate economic damage.

At the same time, economic ministers warned that Southeast Asia’s reliance on global oil and liquefied natural gas supply routes makes the region particularly vulnerable to further shocks.

They added that safeguarding economic stability will require strengthening supply chain resilience, accelerating the transition to renewable energy and deepening regional cooperation.

By Tamilla Hasanova