Foreign ministers from Southeast Asia met on the central Philippine island of Cebu on Thursday (May 7) ahead of the 48th ASEAN leaders’ summit.

Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary and ASEAN Chair Ma. Theresa Lazaro led the meeting and stressed the need for regional cooperation in tackling various issues, including the conflict in the Middle East, which was affecting the Southeast Asian nations.

Pressure on regional leaders has intensified since U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran in late February, which have driven up energy, food and fertiliser costs across Southeast Asia. ASEAN governments have already held special ministerial meetings on energy, economic coordination and food security ahead of the summit.

Discussions are also expected to include efforts to revive a long-stalled Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, as tensions between Manila and Beijing have risen steadily in recent months. However, expectations for any meaningful breakthrough remain limited.

The two-day summit is set to bring together leaders from the 11-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations as well as dialogue partners.

-Adrian Portugal, Peter Blaza/Reuters