Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Sugiono urged ASEAN to maintain its credibility by delivering development that produces tangible benefits for people while strengthening regional stability.
“The question is not how far ASEAN has come, but whether our people can truly feel the benefits,” Sugiono said at the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Manila on Tuesday.
He said ASEAN’s first test was maintaining regional peace while ensuring member interactions remained governed by rules.
Indonesia is therefore pushing for the completion this year of an effective and substantive South China Sea code of conduct based on international law.
“A region governed by law will always be stronger than one governed by force,” Sugiono said.
ASEAN’s credibility is also reflected in how effectively it protects its people, Sugiono said.
Indonesia has proposed establishing a forum of ASEAN consular affairs chiefs to strengthen coordination for protecting citizens abroad during conflicts and emergencies.
Sugiono also called for more needs-based cooperation between ASEAN and its partners, focusing on crisis response, food and energy security, and resilient supply chains.
He urged stronger ASEAN institutions and greater resources to support the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 as the bloc prepares to mark its 60th anniversary in 2027.
The 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Manila runs from July 20 to 24, bringing together ASEAN foreign ministers and external partners.
The meeting covers ASEAN community development, external relations and regional and global issues, according to the Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry.
Ministers also adopted several documents, including a joint communiqué on ASEAN cooperation, a statement on the Middle East and documents related to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation.
ASEAN foreign ministers also agreed to accept Turkiye as the bloc’s newest dialogue partner, the ministry said.
Pewarta: Nabil Ihsan, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor : Vicki Febrianto
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