Indonesia Backs Asean Community Vision 2045, Calls For Stronger Regional Cooperation

JAKARTA, Jan 20 (Bernama) -- Indonesia has expressed its full support for the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, a long-term roadmap aimed at fostering a more resilient and dynamic region, to be adopted during Malaysia’s ASEAN chairmanship this year.

Speaking at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ (AMM) Retreat in Langkawi, Malaysia, which concluded on Sunday, Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Sugiono stressed the need to strengthen ASEAN’s institutional capacity and resources to achieve the vision and enhance regional cooperation to tackle interconnected global challenges.

“It is no longer feasible to resolve these challenges in isolation,” he said, according to a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry on Monday.

As this year’s ASEAN chair, Malaysia has adopted the theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability”.

Addressing regional dynamics, Sugiono stressed the importance of ASEAN remaining united and taking a proactive role in ensuring stability and prosperity amid the growing competition among major powers that threatens regional stability.

He also advocated strengthening ASEAN mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum, the East Asia Forum, and the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation.

Additionally, he stressed the importance of upholding regional principles and norms, including the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, which are crucial for maintaining regional stability.

On Myanmar, Sugiono expressed Indonesia’s full support for the newly appointed ASEAN Chair’s Special Envoy, Tan Sri Othman Hashim, a Malaysian diplomat, in implementing the Five-Point Consensus to address the crisis in the country.

Sugiono said Indonesia also welcomed the recent Israel and Hamas ceasefire agreement and urged for its prompt and comprehensive implementation to allow the Palestinian people to rebuild their lives.

He said the lasting peace in Palestine could only be achieved if Israel ends its illegal occupation and a free and sovereign state of Palestine is established.

“We must continue to call for the resumption of the peace process towards a two-state solution, based on internationally agreed parameters,” he said.

During the AMM Retreat, Sugiono also held discussions with his counterparts from Thailand, Maris Sangiampongsa; Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan (Malaysia), and Thongsavanh Phomvihane (Laos) to address key priorities for bilateral cooperation.

-- BERNAMA