Affirming ASEAN Vision 2045 Must Be Realized, Foreign Minister Sugiono: People Want Impact

Foreign Minister Sugiono at the 58th ASEAN Day. (Refi/Infomed/Kemlu RI)

JAKARTA - Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono emphasized that ASEAN Vision 2045 must be realized, not just a declaration, because the people want an impact.

The 58th anniversary of ASEAN (ASEAN Day) which falls on Friday is considered by Foreign Minister Sugiono as a momentum to ensure that ASEAN Vision 2045 is realized, not just a ceremony.

"Our people want impact, not just discourse. Real results, not just declarations. ASEAN Vision 2045 must be fully implemented with strong political commitment and support," said Foreign Minister Sugiono while attending the 58th ASEAN Day at ASEAN Headquarters, Jakarta, Friday 8 August.

Foreign Minister Sugiono raised three things to ensure ASEAN remains relevant: increasing institutional capacity to respond to crises, strengthening economic integration and digital transformation, and capability to overcome transnational threats such as human trafficking and climate change collectively.

However, Foreign Minister Sugiono emphasized that unity is the key to ASEAN's strength in the midst of current geopolitical rivalry. "Difference must be resolved through diplomacy and dialogue," said Foreign Minister Sugiono.

Foreign Minister Sugiono also emphasized the need to maintain ASEAN centrality as a key principle, strengthen roles as a liaison and forum for dialogue, with ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) as a guide.

In the momentum of this 58-year ASEAN celebration, Foreign Minister Sugiono also reiterated Indonesia's commitment to support strengthening ASEAN infrastructure, including through the revitalization of ASEAN Heritage Buildings, the establishment of ASEAN Museums and Librarys, as well as the development of the ASEAN Headquarters area as a center for diplomacy, culture and ideas.

Foreign Minister Sugiono invites all member countries to maintain ASEAN values that choose dialogue over confrontation, cooperation over competition, and unity above division.

"If not us, who else? If not now, when will it be? Indonesia will continue to run with ASEAN, with trust, purpose, and determination," said Foreign Minister Sugiono.

It is known, ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) was founded on August 8, 1967 in Bangkok by five founding countries, including Indonesia, through the signing of the Bangkok Declaration. Indonesia is one of the main motors for the formation of ASEAN and has so far played an important role in maintaining unity, encouraging centrality, and facilitating regional dialogue through the ASEAN Headquarters which has been in Jakarta since 1976. Currently, ASEAN consists of 10 countries and is currently processing the full membership of Timor-Leste which will officially join the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur.