Southeast Asian leaders adopted a maritime cooperation declaration that includes plans to establish an ASEAN Maritime Center in the Philippines to improve coordination on regional sea issues.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the center would help ensure safe navigation, uphold international law, and serve as a shared hub for maritime policies among ASEAN members and partner countries.
He noted that while there is broad agreement on the plan, key details such as funding, structure, and operations are still being finalized, and there is no set timeline for implementation.
Marcos also stressed the importance of completing a legally binding Code of Conduct in the South China Sea before fully institutionalizing maritime cooperation efforts.
Aside from maritime concerns, ASEAN leaders also discussed energy security measures, and the Philippines secured a rice import deal with Vietnam to ensure a stable supply amid expected production challenges.
Source: PhilNews24 | May 9, 2026
MARCOS: ASEAN ADOPTS MARITIME COOPERATION AGREEMENT
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