Experts Urge ASEAN Unity Amid Regional Tensions and Global Uncertainty

PHNOM PENH, May 8, 2026 (KPT) — Cambodian analysts have urged ASEAN leaders to strengthen unity and resolve disputes peacefully as the bloc faces mounting geopolitical and economic pressures.

Their comments came as leaders gathered in Cebu for the 48th ASEAN Summit under the Philippines’ chairmanship, with discussions dominated by security concerns including the South China Sea, Myanmar’s political crisis and border tensions between Cambodia and Thailand.

Political analyst Kin Phea said ASEAN must maintain “strong unity and solidarity” to respond effectively to global uncertainty, including instability in the Middle East. He warned that internal divisions could undermine the bloc’s credibility.

“ASEAN cannot be divided,” he said, noting that unresolved disputes such as the Cambodia–Thailand border issue and the South China Sea would weigh heavily on summit talks.

Thong Mengdavid, a lecturer at the Royal University of Phnom Penh, described ASEAN as facing one of its most difficult periods in recent years due to overlapping geopolitical, security and economic pressures.

“If ASEAN can maintain unity despite these pressures, this summit could signal that ASEAN remains relevant and capable of navigating a highly uncertain environment,” he said.

Mengdavid added that Middle East instability and global energy market uncertainty were driving inflation, rising energy costs and supply chain disruptions across Southeast Asia.

Leaders are expected to discuss regional security, economic resilience, energy cooperation and ongoing conflicts during the two day summit.