ASEAN Can Encourage Dialogue, Strengthen Partnerships and Build Consensus at a Time of Increasing Uncertainty

JAKARTA - The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is able to encourage dialogue, strengthen partnerships and build consensus when political uncertainty increases, said Philippine Foreign Minister Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro in a press statement at the International Media Center in Manila, Philippines, Thursday, referring to the series of '59th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting and Post-Ministerial Conferences' (AMM/PMC) and related meetings held since the beginning of the week.

Foreign Minister Lazaro said the series of meetings held since Monday, which was attended by the foreign ministers of ASEAN countries and external partners, was used to discuss issues most important to the region.

"The 59th AMM reaffirmed ASEAN's joint commitment to advancing the ASEAN Community Vision 2045. During the meeting, we adopted important documents, including, among others, the Joint Communiqué of the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting, which reflects ASEAN's common positions and priorities on issues affecting our region. This special document is the result of a series of negotiations among the 11 ASEAN member countries," explained Foreign Minister Lazaro, Thursday (23/7).

Next is the Guidelines on the Procedures for ASEAN's Engagement with High Contracting Parties to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) which is a priority for our leadership. This guideline establishes a framework that allows high contracting parties to engage more deeply (1:28) with ASEAN, especially those who do not have formal partnership arrangements with ASEAN and provides a new avenue for practical cooperation in supporting the development of the ASEAN community.

The ASEAN Foreign Ministers also issued a joint statement on the Developing Situation in the Middle East, expressing the collective appeal of the region to the parties concerned to exercise maximum self-control and avoid any actions that could further aggravate the situation.

Regarding Myanmar, Foreign Minister Lazaro said ASEAN's involvement with Myanmar was also discussed. Referring to the meeting in Bangkok, Thailand last week, "the foreign ministers discussed how ASEAN could assess measurable progress in Myanmar, including the prospects for a long-term multi-year special envoy in all these discussions."

"ASEAN Member States reaffirm that the Five-Point Consensus remains ASEAN's main reference in dealing with the crisis. Second, ASEAN's engagement with our external partners reaffirms the strength and breadth of our external relations," he explained.

Meanwhile, in the Post-Ministerial Conferences 11 Dialogue Partners, Foreign Minister Theresa said ASEAN reviewed the progress of the comprehensive strategic partnership and discussed ways to further deepen cooperation in various fields, including maritime cooperation, connectivity, trade and investment, digital transformation, transnational crime, cyber security, energy, food security, disaster management, climate action, and people-to-people exchanges.

ASEAN also held trilateral meetings with Turkey, Norway, Switzerland, and Brazil which reflect the increasing interest of partners to work more closely with ASEAN and contribute to peace, stability, and sustainable development in the region.

"ASEAN also continues to show the relevance of the ASEAN-led mechanism in addressing regional and global challenges," said Foreign Minister Lazaro.

Meanwhile, the ASEAN Plus-3 meeting attended by China, Japan and South Korea reaffirmed the importance of solidarity and practical cooperation amid increasing global uncertainty. The meeting discussed the latest developments on the ASEAN Plus-3 Cooperation Plan 2023-2027 which serves as a guide for the development of a sustainable community in the region.

"We discussed current and proposed initiatives to strengthen regional resilience, food and energy security, supply chains, and people-centered cooperation in East Asia," he explained.

Meanwhile, in the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum, continued Foreign Minister Lazaro, participants exchanged views on regional political and security developments.

"We adopted the Manila Action Plan 2026-2036, which will guide the work of the Forum over the next decade and announced ASEAN's collective decision to welcome the United Kingdom as the 28th ARF participant," he explained.

During the 16th East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers' Meeting, which brought together ASEAN and eight participating countries, Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Russia and the United States, the foreign ministers called for stronger practical cooperation amid geopolitical tensions, transnational challenges, and the increasingly greater impact of new technologies.

"Our discussions reaffirmed the EAS as the premier forum led by leaders in the region for strategic dialogue and cooperation and a platform to translate dialogue into collective action," said Foreign Minister Lazaro.

"Overall, these meetings demonstrate ASEAN's strength in hosting meetings in its ability to promote dialogue, strengthen partnerships and build consensus at a time of increasing political uncertainty," concluded Foreign Minister Lazaro.