Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs: ASEAN was formed to ensure that differences are managed through dialogue and cooperation

JAKARTA - Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sugiono reminded the purpose of the establishment of ASEAN, the importance of the centrality and unity of the group, while highlighting the dynamics that occurred in the region last year.

Speaking at the 2026 Annual Foreign Minister's Press Statement (PPTM) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jakarta, Foreign Minister Sugiono said Indonesia called on ASEAN to return to its original goal, namely to maintain the region as a peaceful space, free from show of force and oriented towards the welfare of the people.

"ASEAN was formed to ensure that differences are managed through dialogue and cooperation, not through pressure or confrontation," said the Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wednesday (14/1).

Furthermore, Foreign Minister Sugiono said that the relevance of ASEAN is increasingly crucial to maintaining Southeast Asia's stability amid global geopolitical uncertainty.

ASEAN, said the Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs, is an anchor of regional stability as well as a key platform to ensure Southeast Asia remains a peaceful space and does not become an arena for showing strength.

He underlined, "ASEAN will only be strong if ASEAN unity and centrality continue to be maintained and fought for together. Unity is the key to preventing fragmentation, while centrality ensures ASEAN remains the leader of the regional architecture and is not dragged into the rivalry of major powers.

On this occasion, the Minister of Foreign Affairs also quoted President Prabowo Subianto's statement: "In the current situation of geopolitical uncertainty, the stronger ASEAN is, the more we will be heard."

Highlighting the dynamics of ASEAN throughout the past year, including the crisis among ASEAN countries, the Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs said it was "a reminder that we cannot ignore peace in Southeast Asia. Peace must be maintained through self-restraint, respect for sovereignty, and commitment to peaceful resolution of differences."

Coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) this year, Indonesia expressed concern that the principles of the TAC were weakening at a time when the region needed to strengthen norms and compliance with the rules of the game.

"TAC is the foundation of inter-state behavior in Southeast Asia and its strengthening is necessary to maintain stability and strategic trust," explained the Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Indonesia recognizes that outside the region, the logic of hard power is getting stronger. However, the Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs emphasized that in the Southeast Asian region there are rules to follow, including the principle of non-intervention, peaceful settlement of disputes, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and strengthening the centrality of ASEAN.

The Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs on this occasion emphasized Indonesia's commitment to be ready to synergize with the Philippine Chairmanship, in ensuring the continuity of the agenda and sustainability of regional initiatives, including the completion of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea in line with UNCLOS.