When asked about whether ASEAN leaders have committed to concrete timelines for formalising agreements on petroleum security, intra-ASEAN supply chains, and the accelerated realisation of the regional power grid, Mr Wong said there was a clear consensus at the meeting that these agreements should be ratified expeditiously.
“Of course, every country will have to operate on its own domestic timelines, but we certainly hope that each one will take it, will do so as fast as possible,” he added.
At the plenary session of the summit, Mr Wong had called for the swift ratification of the agreement that would allow member states to support each other’s oil and gas needs during supply disruptions, which was last renewed in 2025.
He also called for the swift ratification of the upgraded ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement, which was signed in October 2025, so that it can come into effect ideally within the year.
This agreement includes crisis provisions and commitments on trade in essential goods, and reduces non-tariff barriers to food trade while encouraging the exchange of food safety information.
Responding to a question about how ASEAN can ensure that the situation in Myanmar does not become an impediment to the region’s solidarity, Mr Wong stressed that the issue is complex and very difficult.
At a press conference on Friday evening, the Philippine president had said that during the closed-door leaders’ retreat earlier that day, many ASEAN members aired their frustration about the lack of progress in normalising the situation in Myanmar.
When asked to respond to the Philippine president’s description of the situation as “moribund”, Mr Wong said that while there have been recent developments, much more still needs to be done.
ASEAN needs to see more progress on its Five-Point Consensus – last reviewed in October 2025 – for it to be fully implemented, he added.
The Five-Point Consensus is a plan adopted by ASEAN to address the political and humanitarian crisis in Myanmar after the 2021 military coup.
This takes time, and requires inclusive and constructive dialogue with all the key stakeholders in Myanmar, said Mr Wong.
“It cannot be imposed from anyone from outside, so we have to be patient,” he said, adding that ASEAN will encourage them to take concrete steps forward in a step-by-step manner.
“But at the same time, ASEAN will not be passive. We will continue to engage the Myanmar authorities.”