ASEAN Supports Establishment of Maritime Center in the Philippines to Enhance Cooperation and Coordination
Amid rising geopolitical tensions and maritime security challenges, ASEAN leaders supported the establishment of an 'ASEAN Maritime Center' in the Philippines to strengthen regional maritime cooperation and coordination.
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- 📰 Published: May 9, 2026 at 17:10
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Central News Agency
(Manila, May 9, Special Report by Lin Hang-chien) Amid rising geopolitical tensions and maritime security challenges, leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) supported the establishment of an 'ASEAN Maritime Center' in the Philippines to strengthen regional maritime cooperation and coordination.
ASEAN's 48th Summit concluded yesterday in Cebu, a metropolitan area in central Philippines. The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs today issued a 'Chairman's Statement' pointing out that if established, the ASEAN Maritime Center will support ASEAN in handling maritime-related affairs and promote cross-sectoral coordination among ASEAN's political, security, and economic sectors.
This center is planned to be located in the Philippines and is currently in the conceptual stage. Its organizational structure, operational methods, funding sources, etc., still await planning by ASEAN member states.
According to the 'Chairman's Statement,' ASEAN leaders also adopted the 'ASEAN Leaders' Declaration on Maritime Cooperation,' reaffirming the importance of maintaining maritime stability and strengthening practical cooperation among ASEAN member states.
ASEAN leaders also discussed the South China Sea situation, reiterating support for peaceful resolution of disputes through international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and emphasizing the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation and overflight, marine environmental protection, and navigational safety.
The Chairman's Statement did not name any country, but in recent years, the Philippine military and coast guard have frequently accused Chinese coast guard vessels and warships of harassing Philippine fishermen and government vessels in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.
To strengthen cooperation between ASEAN coast guards and marine law enforcement agencies, ASEAN leaders recognized the importance of the existing 'ASEAN Coast Guard Forum' and considered upgrading this forum to a formal ASEAN sectoral body.
The Philippines serves as the ASEAN Chair this year, setting the theme 'Navigating Our Future, Together.' As an archipelagic nation with over 7,600 islands, the Philippines has made intra-regional maritime cooperation one of its priority items.
(Manila, May 9, Special Report by Lin Hang-chien) Amid rising geopolitical tensions and maritime security challenges, leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) supported the establishment of an 'ASEAN Maritime Center' in the Philippines to strengthen regional maritime cooperation and coordination.
ASEAN's 48th Summit concluded yesterday in Cebu, a metropolitan area in central Philippines. The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs today issued a 'Chairman's Statement' pointing out that if established, the ASEAN Maritime Center will support ASEAN in handling maritime-related affairs and promote cross-sectoral coordination among ASEAN's political, security, and economic sectors.
This center is planned to be located in the Philippines and is currently in the conceptual stage. Its organizational structure, operational methods, funding sources, etc., still await planning by ASEAN member states.
According to the 'Chairman's Statement,' ASEAN leaders also adopted the 'ASEAN Leaders' Declaration on Maritime Cooperation,' reaffirming the importance of maintaining maritime stability and strengthening practical cooperation among ASEAN member states.
ASEAN leaders also discussed the South China Sea situation, reiterating support for peaceful resolution of disputes through international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and emphasizing the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation and overflight, marine environmental protection, and navigational safety.
The Chairman's Statement did not name any country, but in recent years, the Philippine military and coast guard have frequently accused Chinese coast guard vessels and warships of harassing Philippine fishermen and government vessels in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.
To strengthen cooperation between ASEAN coast guards and marine law enforcement agencies, ASEAN leaders recognized the importance of the existing 'ASEAN Coast Guard Forum' and considered upgrading this forum to a formal ASEAN sectoral body.
The Philippines serves as the ASEAN Chair this year, setting the theme 'Navigating Our Future, Together.' As an archipelagic nation with over 7,600 islands, the Philippines has made intra-regional maritime cooperation one of its priority items.