Senator Bam Aquino joined leaders and key officials from around the world at the recent Tokyo Conference 2026 in tackling the Middle East conflict and its effects on economies and oil prices.
According to Aquino, the only Filipino delegate, discussions centered on the Middle East crisis and possible strategies to stabilize energy markets, mitigate economic disruptions, and strengthen regional cooperation in response to global uncertainties. “We all agree that by working together, we can weather immediate challenges and create a strong framework to stabilize the region’s economy and prices of oil products,” Aquino said.
The Asian Leaders Roundtable also included former Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and former Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who served as co-chairs.
In his short message, Aquino emphasized Asia has the potential to set the standard for a new form of multilateralism that prioritizes rules-based regional partnerships and fosters an environment of stability and peace, benefiting not only its countries but also the international community.
Aquino said the erosion of traditional multilateralism underscores the pressing need for a new approach to restore faith in collaborative governance and address complex global challenges. “Asia must lead in establishing a shared security framework within our region that values cooperation and respect for sovereignty. We must move away from reliance on might as a means of resolution and instead return to a rules-based order,” he stressed.
Aquino also expressed optimism Asia can become a leading global force championing innovation, cooperation, and sustainability. “Given our region’s economic prowess and technological advancements, we, along with other regional partners, have the potential to set the standard for a new form of multilateralism that prioritizes regional partnerships over traditional power dynamics,” he explained.
During these uncertain times, according to the Senator, a “coalition of certainty is needed—one where partners share a common goal and vision for the region, operate under clear rules and processes, resolve conflicts effectively, and build a foundation of trust, respect, and reliability among all participants.”
By leveraging the diverse strengths of its mature and emerging economies, Aquino expressed confidence the region can foster advancements in crucial sectors such as digital technology, manufacturing, healthcare, and sustainability. “This collaborative spirit is essential; rather than viewing each other as competitors, Asian nations, along with other regional partners, should recognize the value of mutual support and open trade to enhance collective prosperity,” he said in closing.
Also present during the event were former Singaporean Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat, former Indonesian Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati, former Bank of Thailand Governor Tarisa Watanagase, former Malaysian Trade Minister Y.M. Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, and Malaysian Minister of Higher Education Dato’ Seri Diraja Dr. Zambry Abdul Kadir.
Other notable attendees were former Reserve Bank of India Governor Duvvuri Subbarao, former Liberian Minister of Finance Antoinette Monsio Sayeh, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc. Board of Directors Member and Chairman Kanetsugu Mike, and MS&AD President and CEO Noriyuki Hara.
