Regional fuel stockpile 1 of ideas discussed at 48th Asean Summit: PM Wong

Apart from getting Asean countries to ratify as soon as possible various trade and energy agreements, Singapore may also continue discussions of new ideas to strengthen Asean solidarity during its chairmanship next year, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said during a media doorstop at the 48th Asean Summit on May 9.

One such idea is a regional fuel stockpile, which was floated during this year's summit, chaired by the Philippines.

Asean agree on swift ratification of co-operative agreements

At this year's summit, PM Wong urged for the swift ratification of two agreements — the Asean Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) and Asean Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA).

During the media doorstop, he characterised the agreements as "an expression of Asean solidarity".

These agreements will ensure essential goods continue to flow between Asean member countries during emergencies and that Asean will have the tools needed to respond to and minimise exposure to energy crises.

On whether Asean leaders committed to timelines for their ratification at this year's summit, PM Wong commented that there was "clear consensus" that they should be ratified "expeditiously".

Although he acknowledged that every country will have their own domestic timelines, he said that he hopes each member will do so "as fast as possible".

Broad priorities, discussions of new ideas may continue under S'pore chair

Responding to a question about Singapore's priorities as chair of Asean next year, PM Wong said that these are still being worked on, but that broad priorities will continue.

These include themes of strengthening Asean's collective resilience, advancing integration efforts, and advancing the community building agenda.

"These are broad priorities that in a way, have been reflected in previous years' chairmanship, so they have to continue," PM Wong said.

Additionally, discussions on new ideas raised during this year's summit may be continued in the next meeting. This is keeping in mind the effects of the Middle East crisis, which will spill over to his chairmanship as well.

PM Wong cited the example of a regional fuel stockpile, which was floated during discussions this year.

"It is a very early stage. We already have a stockpile for rice under Asean Plus Three. So the question is, would we be able to do something similar for energy, be it within Asean or with external partners," he said, adding that the idea has not been "fully fleshed out".

"I think the ministers will need to discuss further, and if it is something worth pursuing further and there is interest, then perhaps it will continue... at the next summit, and perhaps even within Singapore's chairmanship," he continued.

Value in face-to-face meeting

Describing this year's summit as a "fruitful meeting", PM Wong remarked that it is important for leaders to meet face-to-face.

He explained that there were "some thoughts" to do away with a physical meeting and have a virtual summit due to the Middle East crisis.

"But in the end, I am glad we made the effort to meet one another and have a face-to-face meeting, because you cannot have the same discussions

And the quality of discussions would be very different in a virtual format. But here, the Asean leaders met."

The leaders had "candid discussions on the nature of the conflict we are confronting" and agreed that "[Asean] had to do more to strengthen our collective resilience", PM Wong shared.

At the same time, PM Wong conceded that every host country will have to adjust the format of the summit meetings "if there is a prolonged crisis".

This year's summit ran a more "bare-bones" programme focused on key issues arising from the ongoing Middle East conflict.