Jakarta (ANTARA) - Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi has said that through the 56th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM), Indonesia wants to reaffirm ASEAN's role as a contributor to peace and stability.

Peace and stability, which have been maintained for more than five decades, have brought prosperity to the Southeast Asian region, she noted.

"Economic growth in Southeast Asia is, almost every time, always above global growth. The growth and prosperity can only be achieved if there is peace and stability--and ASEAN has managed to realize them so far," she said while reviewing the AMM 2023 media center here on Monday.

The series of AMM events are being held in Jakarta from July 10 to July 14, 2023.

The events comprise 18 meetings, including a meeting to discuss the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ), a meeting of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), an AMM plenary session, and a retreat session.

Related news: Indonesia encourages ASEAN to be anchor of global stability: Hartarto

Furthermore, the agenda includes ASEAN foreign ministers' meetings with ASEAN dialogue partners, namely India, New Zealand, Russia, Australia, China, Japan, South Korea, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States.

It also includes the ASEAN Plus Three (APT) Foreign Ministers' Meeting, the East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers' Meeting, and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).

The series of events will involve at least 1,165 delegates and 493 Indonesian and foreign reporters.

As ASEAN chair this year, Indonesia has raised the theme "ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth," which reflects its focus on directing cooperation to strengthen ASEAN's relevance in responding to regional and global challenges and to build ASEAN's position as a center of economic growth in the region.

Related news: ASEAN offers inclusive platform for supporting regional stability

Translator: Yashinta Difa, Raka Adji
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
Copyright © ANTARA 2023