"Let us mobilize our energy for the things the world currently needs," Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi said at the 14th EAS Foreign Affairs Ministers' Meeting in Vientiane, Laos, on Saturday.
According to a statement released by her office here, Marsudi underlined that the Indo-Pacific is and will remain the world's epicenter of growth. However, ongoing conflicts around the globe are hindering nations from tackling common challenges.
"We are still witnessing hegemonic tendencies, which should have been a thing of the past. Our reality is that of increasingly fierce rivalries, deteriorating mutual distrust, and chances of miscalculation," she pointed out.
The minister emphasized the importance of all countries consistently respecting international law to put an end to conflict.
Marsudi then invited EAS countries to unite and contribute to efforts to end hostilities in Gaza and Ukraine and ensure peace and stability in the South China Sea as well as the Indo-Pacific.
EAS countries should play an active role in preventing and stopping wars, while relentlessly voicing the urgent need to serve justice and protect human rights, she added.
Speaking about East Asia's future, the minister asked EAS states to strengthen the role of their ambassadors to step up regional cooperation.
"They (ambassadors) can discuss not only technical and practical issues, but also substantial matters," she expounded.
The ministerial meeting on Saturday produced a Chairman's Statement reaffirming the commitment of EAS countries to designate the EAS as a forum that supports dialogue and cooperation in shared strategic issues, with the aim of creating a peaceful, stable, and prosperous East Asia.
All the participating foreign affairs ministers also agreed to push for the adoption of the EAS Leaders' Statement on Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience during the 45th ASEAN Summit in October this year.
Since its inception in 2005, EAS has been serving as an open leaders-led forum that supports dialogue among countries in East Asia and adjacent regions. The founding states of the forum are 10 ASEAN countries, Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand.
The United States and Russia officially joined the forum at the 6th EAS Summit held in Indonesia in November 2011.
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Translator: Yashinta Difa, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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