Encourage the Settlement of CoC in the South China Sea, Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs: A Law-Based Regulated Area will be Stronger

JAKARTA - Indonesia encourages the completion of the Code of Conduct (CoC) in the South China Sea, saying the ability to maintain peace and ensure a rules-based area is a test for ASEAN.

This was said by the Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sugiono, at the 59th Plenary Session of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) in Manila, Philippines, Tuesday.

The Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs emphasized that ASEAN's credibility would be determined by its ability to translate various commitments into tangible results for the people and stability of the region.

"ASEAN has proven that this organization is capable of developing. Now the more challenging question is: is ASEAN able to fulfill its promises?" said Foreign Minister Sugiono.

The Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs said further, the first test lies in ASEAN's ability to maintain peace and ensure that the region remains based on rules. Therefore, Indonesia encourages the completion of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea this year effectively, substantively, and based on international law, especially UNCLOS 1982.

"Our community has been waiting for 24 years for the rules in the sea. They should not wait another year. Areas regulated by law will always be stronger than areas regulated by force," he said.

ASEAN's credibility must also be reflected in the protection of its people. Indonesia has proposed the establishment of the ASEAN Heads of Consular Affairs Division Forum to strengthen coordination in the protection of ASEAN citizens abroad, especially in conflict situations and emergencies.

In the midst of increasing global rivalry and pressure on multilateralism, Foreign Minister Sugiono also encouraged that ASEAN's partnership with external parties should be increasingly directed at the region's concrete needs, including crisis response, food and energy security, and supply chain resilience.

At this meeting, the ASEAN Foreign Ministers have also officially accepted Turkiye as an ASEAN Dialogue Partner. This effort is expected to produce concrete cooperation that contributes to the development of the ASEAN Community.

Ahead of ASEAN's 60th anniversary in 2027, Indonesia encourages the strengthening of ASEAN's mandate and resources to be in line with the ambition of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.

"The documents are complete. The actual work has just begun. In the end, the question is not how far ASEAN has progressed, but whether our people can really feel the benefits," said Foreign Minister Sugiono.

Meanwhile, Philippine Foreign Minister Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro in the opening of the plenary session said that the theme "Navigating Our Future, Together" chosen by the Philippines reflects "our shared belief that, even as the challenges before us continue to grow in complexity, our greatest strength remains our collective determination to navigate and shape a common future."

He said this week's series of meetings was an effort to show ASEAN's "continued commitment to remain dynamic, forward-looking, and responsive to the needs of our people."

"As the Chair of ASEAN, the Philippines remains committed to encouraging meaningful dialogue and ensuring that ASEAN continues to be based on the principles that have been able to overcome the challenges of the times and make it the ASEAN we know today," he said.

It is known that the 59th AMM/PMC series and related meetings took place in Manila on July 20-24, 2026. The meeting brought together ASEAN Foreign Ministers and external partners to discuss the development of the ASEAN Community, external relations, as well as various regional and global issues.

This meeting ratified several important documents, including the Joint Communiqué as a consensus document reflecting the common positions and views of ASEAN Member States on the development of ASEAN cooperation as well as various regional and international strategic issues; ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Statement on the Current Situation in the Middle East; Guidelines for the Modal of Relations with the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC); Guidelines for TAC Accession; and the List of Criteria and Indicators for ASEAN Dialogue Partnership.