ERIA Presents Strategic Approach to Regional Oil and Gas Stockpiling at Joint ASEAN Ministerial Meeting

Cebu, 7 May 2026: Following President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s recent call for the region to undertake a regional study on joint oil stockpiling - building on ERIA's previous research - ERIA President Tetsuya Watanabe presented ERIA's proposed strategic approach to oil and gas stockpiling during the Joint ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) and ASEAN Economic Ministers' Meeting (AEM) in Cebu, the Philippines.

In his intervention, President Watanabe outlined ERIA's proposed regional study, which aims to assess practical options for strengthening ASEAN's energy security through more co-ordinated stockpiling arrangements. He noted that ERIA has established a strong analytical foundation to support this work and stands ready to collaborate closely with relevant ASEAN institutions and stakeholders in advancing practical regional solutions.

President Watanabe also briefed ministers on the current state of oil stockpiling capacity across ASEAN, highlighting existing gaps and uneven levels of preparedness amongst member states. He presented several strategic options for consideration as part of broader regional efforts to enhance resilience against future supply disruptions.

He emphasised that the initiative should be viewed not only as a response to current energy disruptions, but also as part of ASEAN's wider effort to strengthen long-term preparedness, economic resilience, and regional co-ordination in times of crisis.