Marcos Outlines Agreements from ASEAN Summit in Cebu

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. held a press conference in Cebu on May 8, 2026, detailing outcomes from the 48th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings that took place in the Philippine city. ASEAN leaders issued the ASEAN Leaders’ Statement on the Response to the Middle East Crisis.

They also adopted the ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on Maritime Cooperation, which includes a proposal to establish an ASEAN Maritime Centre in the Philippines. The leaders adopted the ASEAN Declaration on the Empowerment of Youth in Climate Action and Disaster Resilience.

They issued the ASEAN Leaders’ Statement on the ASEAN Convergence on Disaster Response, known as the ASEAN Strategic Protocol for Emergency and Comprehensive Transformation or ASPECT Framework.

ASEAN leaders adopted the Cebu Protocol to Amend the Charter of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. They also adopted the BIMP-EAGA Vision 2035, which sets a 10-year agenda across connectivity, food and energy security, digital transformation and sustainable development. BIMP-EAGA stands for the Brunei Darussalam–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area.

Marcos used the briefing to address the Middle East conflict, China and the Myanmar crisis. He called for the expedited ratification of the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Petroleum Security as part of efforts to strengthen regional energy security. He pushed for the operationalization of the ASEAN Power Grid to enable cross-border power trading, support renewable integration and deliver more affordable electricity to nearly 700 million people.

Nearly 700 million people would be served by the operational ASEAN Power Grid, Marcos said. Marcos called for the swift ratification of the upgraded ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement. The upgraded agreement modernizes regional trade, eliminates non-tariff barriers and builds on ATIGA’s achievement of making ASEAN virtually tariff-free.

Its crisis provisions ensure that essential goods continue to flow during emergencies, Marcos stated. He discussed the need for faster coordination, accelerated information-sharing, stronger cooperation with host governments, and timely support including evacuation and repatriation for ASEAN nationals abroad.

Rappler reported that the press conference occurred one day after the main summit sessions concluded in Cebu.

Marcos provided highlights of the closed-door leaders’ talks while responding to questions on multiple international flashpoints.