Foreign Minister Sugiono urged ASEAN to strengthen its political foundation to ensure a peaceful and stable Southeast Asia that does not become an arena for proxy conflicts among major powers.
"We need to develop and play more substantial roles. Our partnership must strategically strengthen ASEAN centrality, integration, and stability," Sugiono stated, according to a written statement from the Foreign Ministry in Jakarta, on Friday.
The minister's remarks were conveyed during the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) Retreat in Cebu, the Philippines, on Thursday (January 29) local time. The agenda marked the commencement of the Philippines' chairmanship in ASEAN this year.
Sugiono said this year’s chairmanship theme, Navigating Our Future, Together, is particularly relevant amid mounting challenges that continue to test ASEAN’s unity and centrality.
He emphasized that ASEAN member states are “in the same boat,” underscoring the need to remain strong and united in navigating future challenges together.
In addressing these challenges, Sugiono said ASEAN must strengthen its self-reliance by bolstering strategic sectors, including economic, energy, food, and technological resilience.
During the meeting, ASEAN foreign ministers also discussed other pressing regional issues, including efforts to finalize the Code of Conduct (CoC) in the South China Sea, which is expected to be completed this year.
Sugiono said the completion of the CoC would mark an important milestone for the region and help create a more stable and rules-based maritime order.
According to the Foreign Ministry, the AMM Retreat also discussed developments in Myanmar and along the Thailand–Cambodia border, with foreign ministers emphasizing the need for a constructive approach to resolving the issues.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Sugiono also held talks with his Singaporean and Cambodian counterparts, discussing ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation as well as regional and global issues of mutual concern.
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Translator: Cindy Frishanti O, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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