Internal rifts threaten ASEAN's unified front on global crises, diplomat says

Many governments in the region have moved to limit fuel use, conserve energy or clamp down on hoarding, while several have curbed exports and launched diplomatic efforts to ensure access.

However, several festering conflicts within ASEAN can distract from efforts to jointly respond to global problems if left unresolved, Kung Phoak added, citing a simmering border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia, and a deadly civil war in Myanmar.

"The sooner we can get all these problems resolved, I think it enhances our ability and gives us more time to think about what we can do more, and not just to respond to the crisis but also to prepare ASEAN for the future," Kung Phoak said.