The annual meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), to be held in Cebu on Friday, comes amid mounting pressure on member states following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key transit route for the majority of Asia’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas imports.

Marcos said discussions would center on strengthening regional preparedness, stabilizing energy supplies and accelerating diversification efforts to reduce reliance on external sources vulnerable to geopolitical shocks.ASEAN’s 11 member states are among the most affected by the disruption, with many heavily dependent on Middle Eastern energy imports.

The Philippines, which relies almost entirely on the region for crude oil, declared a national energy emergency in March after fuel prices more than doubled.Supply shortages have also been reported in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand, with fuel stations in some areas forced to suspend operations.

Rising energy costs have driven up production and logistics expenses, weakened currencies and slowed economic growth across the region.The summit is expected to address coordinated responses to the crisis, including maintaining open trade flows and avoiding restrictive measures that could exacerbate shortages.

“What do we do? How can we help each other?” Marcos said in earlier remarks, adding that the meeting would focus on oil, food security and the welfare of migrant workers.Philippine Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Dominic Xavier Imperial said leaders were expected to issue a joint statement outlining collective measures to manage the crisis and strengthen long-term coordination.

Regional officials have highlighted the need for deeper cooperation, including sharing energy reserves and pursuing joint exploration projects, to reduce dependence on supply routes such as the Strait of Hormuz.

“The protracted Middle East conflict has had an impact on the region, slowing down economic growth and lowering projections,” said Tereso Panga, head of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority, noting that closer coordination could help stabilize supply and mitigate volatility in energy markets.

The region, which imports more than 80% of crude shipments passing through the Strait of Hormuz, has been hit hard after disruptions linked to Iran’s actions since the conflict began on Feb. 28, tightening global supply and pushing policymakers to consider demand-curbing steps.

No country has formally reinstated remote work mandates, but officials say such measures are under active review. South Korea’s Energy Minister Kim Sung-whan said authorities would consult relevant ministries on expanding work-from-home policies, aligning with recommendations from the International Energy Agency.

IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol reiterated calls this week for reduced travel and remote work, citing earlier precedents such as Europe’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, where demand management helped offset supply disruptions.

South Korea has also launched a public campaign encouraging households to cut energy use, including reducing shower times and shifting electricity consumption to off-peak periods.

Across the region, governments have begun implementing targeted measures to stretch limited fuel supplies. The Philippines has shortened the work week for some public offices, with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr declaring a national energy emergency over risks to supply.

Pakistan has temporarily closed schools and expanded remote work for office staff, while Sri Lanka introduced a weekly public holiday to conserve fuel.Other economies are focusing on efficiency measures rather than mobility restrictions.

Singapore has urged businesses and households to adopt energy-efficient appliances, increase air-conditioning temperatures and accelerate electric vehicle usage.

In Thailand, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered civil servants to limit overseas travel, adjust office cooling levels above 25°C and adopt remote work where possible.

The policy responses echo pandemic-era strategies aimed at reducing energy demand, as governments across Asia attempt to cushion the economic and supply shocks stemming from the ongoing conflict.