JAKARTA - Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono said that ASEAN partnership must strategically strengthen its centrality, unity and stability, so that the bloc is strong and united in navigating the future together.
This was conveyed by Foreign Minister Sugiono when attending the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat (AMM Retreat) in Cebu, Philippines, January 29, 2026, a meeting that opened the series of ASEAN activities which this year is chaired by the Philippines.
Expressing Indonesia's full support for the Philippine leadership in ASEAN in 2026, which carries the theme "Navigating Our Future, Together", Foreign Minister Sugiono emphasized that the theme is very relevant to the current situation, which continues to test the centrality and unity of ASEAN.
"This year's leadership theme reminds us that ASEAN member states are in the same boat, so we must be strong and united in navigating the future together," he said, launching the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs' statement, Thursday (29/1).
This AMM Retreat discussed a number of regional issues, such as the situation in Myanmar and the Thai-Cambodian border. The ASEAN Foreign Ministers agreed that resolving these two issues requires a constructive approach.
The discussion also highlighted the acceleration of the completion of the Code of Conduct (CoC) in the South China Sea, which is expected to be agreed upon this year.
The Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs emphasized that the finalization of the CoC is an important step for the future of the region and to create a stable and rule-based maritime order.
In the midst of complex global geopolitical dynamics, the Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs stated that ASEAN needs to build independent resilience through the strengthening of strategic sectors such as economic, energy, food, and technology resilience.
Foreign Minister Sugiono also called on ASEAN to strengthen its political foundation, ensuring Southeast Asia remains a zone of peace and not a stage for proxy conflicts.
"We must develop to play a more substantive role. Our partnership must strategically strengthen the centrality, unity and stability of ASEAN," he said.
Welcoming the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC), the Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs called on ASEAN to continue to uphold the TAC in interacting with external partners to maintain regional stability in the future.
On the sidelines of the AMM Retreat, the Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs has also held bilateral meetings with the Cambodian and Singaporean Foreign Ministers to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation and regional and global issues of common concern.
It is known that the AMM Retreat was attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of ASEAN member countries and discussed the priorities of the ASEAN chairmanship, strengthening cooperation, and regional challenges.
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