Philippines: ASEAN foreign ministers meet in Philippines ahead of summit.

SHOTLIST: CEBU CITY, PHILIPPINES (MAY 7, 2026) 1. VARIOUS OF FLAGS 2. VARIOUS OF FOREIGN MINISTERS OF ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS (ASEAN) POSING FOR CAMERA 3. VARIOUS OF FLAGS, ASEAN PHILIPPINES 2026 WRITING ON WALLCEBU CITY, PHILIPPINES - MAY 7, 2026: Foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) met Thursday in the Philippines ahead of the bloc’s summit as the region faces a significant energy crisis linked to the ongoing war involving Iran and the US. The meeting was chaired by Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro, according to a statement. The meeting was also attended by Myanmar Foreign Ministry Permanent Secretary U Hau Khan Sum, Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan, Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Timor-Leste Foreign Minister Bendito dos Santos Freitas, Vietnamese Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung, Philippine Foreign Minister Theresa Tess Lazaro, Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, Brunei's Second Foreign Minister Erywan Yusof, Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono and Lao Foreign Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane. The Philippines is the current chair of the bloc. The ministers discussed issues of strategic importance, "including the evolving energy crisis and the implications of the situation in the Middle East on the region.” The main summit meeting will take place Friday. The agenda is expected to include the safety of ASEAN nationals in the Middle East, regional economic resilience and a collective response to the ongoing energy disruptions.