Widodo: Steer ASEAN toward peace, stability

JAKARTA – Indonesian President and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) chairman Joko Widodo urged fellow leaders yesterday to help steer the region toward peace and stability as he cited the need for a “more solid” and “bolder” regional bloc in the face of obstacles.

Speaking during the opening of the 43rd ASEAN plenary session, Widodo said the key to addressing global challenges is unity and centrality in the region.

“ASEAN’s objective is clear to become an epicentrum of growth. ASEAN has tremendous assets to achieve this objective but ASEAN must be able to work harder, become more solid, bolder and more agile,” the Indonesian leader said.

“ASEAN, as a large ship, also has a major responsibility towards the hundreds of millions of people who are sailing together on it and, despite having to sail through a storm, we as ASEAN leaders must ensure that this ship can continue to sail and that we have to be captains of our own ship to achieve peace, to achieve stability, to achieve prosperity together,” he added.

A spate of bilateral meetings with world powers today will be followed by the 18-nation East Asia Summit tomorrow where heavyweights US President John Biden, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin will be absent.

Representing Beijing and Moscow will be Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi cited the need for countries in the ASEAN, Indian Ocean and Pacific to work together to keep the region’s peace, stability and prosperity. She stressed the Indo-Pacific “should not become a stage for the rivalry of major powers or a battleground for conflicts originating elsewhere.”

“This will only be possible when we uphold our shared values and principles, namely the collaboration paradigm instead of competition, win-win mentality instead of zero-sum and engagement approach instead of exclusion,” Marsudi said in a statement.

“Countries in the Indian and Pacific Oceans are an integral part of the Indo-Pacific region. We share the same region. What happens in the region will likely affect us all,” she added.

Marsudi’s remark came as the region faces geopolitical tensions, including the maritime dispute in the South China Sea, a busy sea lane through which more than $5 trillion in shipments flow every year. China claims “historic rights” over almost the entire area, also claimed in part by Taiwan and ASEAN members Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei and the Philippines.

ASEAN, Widodo pointed out, requires a long-term technical plan that is “relevant” and “in line with the hopes of the people” not only for the next five years but for the next 20 years.

He added that ASEAN, as a part of the Indo-Pacific region, is also cooperating with the Pacific Island Forum (PIF) and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) “to bring beneficial impacts for its people and also for the world.”

Enhanced cooperation

The 10-country regional bloc has enhanced cooperation with the IORA and the PIF through a memorandum of understanding signed on the sidelines of the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting here last Monday. ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn, IORA Secretary-General Salman Al Farisi and PIF Deputy Secretary-General Esala Nayasi signed the MOU.

Marsudi noted that ASEAN and the countries in the Indian and Pacific Oceans face similar challenges and opportunities and thus must unite to overcome challenges and move forward.

“Remember, if you want to walk fast, walk alone. But if you want to walk far, walk together. I am certain we all want to walk far,” she said. “We believe in inclusivity. We believe in walking further.”

The ASEAN leaders are also seen to discuss collaborations and partnerships with Australia, Canada, India, China, Japan, South Korea, the US and the United Nations in various areas, including trade and investment, climate action, food security, maritime cooperation and clean energy.

ASEAN is composed of the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia.

IORA consists of 23 countries around the Indian Ocean while PIF has 18 member-countries.

The bloc has long been decried as a toothless talking shop and divided members are struggling to find a united voice on the Myanmar crisis since a 2021 coup overthrew the member-country’s democratically elected government.

ASEAN members are expected to hash out a declaration that accommodates all members’ positions on Myanmar, where the military coup unleashed a bloody crackdown on dissent. A draft of the final communique seen by AFP left blank a Myanmar section, belying the lack of consensus.

Chair Indonesia has pushed for Myanmar’s junta – which is barred from the bloc’s high-level meetings – to enforce a five-point plan agreed two years ago to end the violence and restart negotiations. But those efforts have been fruitless, as the junta ignores international criticism and refuses to engage with its opponents.

Thailand has instead held unilateral meetings with the junta and deposed democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, deepening ASEAN divisions.

Re-inviting Myanmar

A Southeast Asian diplomat told AFP some countries are pushing for the junta to be re-invited to the meetings. There are also talks about Myanmar deferring the rotating ASEAN chair in 2026, said the diplomat.

“Short of a forceful, direct intervention, there is frankly scarcely anything much which ASEAN could do to help resolve the crisis,” said Oh Ei Sun of the Malaysia-based Pacific Research Center.

President Marcos, who is here in Indonesia to participate in the ASEAN Summit, is expected to emphasize the need for a rules-based international order, especially in the South China Sea.

Recent developments in the South China Sea, the situation in Myanmar, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, among other issues are expected to be tackled during the ASEAN Plus Three and East Asia Summits.

China’s actions in the South China Sea will also feature prominently after Beijing released a new map last week overlapping its own claims with those of several aggrieved ASEAN members.

The map angered countries across the Asia-Pacific region, with protests piling up over the controversial Chinese claims, including strong rejections from India, Malaysia, Vietnam and the Philippines.

Leaders will express concern about “land reclamations, activities, serious incidents” in the dispute-rife sea, according to the draft.

This includes actions that have “increased tensions and may undermine peace, security and stability in the region,” it said.

Philippines is 2026 Asean host

Meanwhile, Marcos vowed to push for reforms that would enhance the decision-making process of the ASEAN, as he announced the Philippines’ hosting of the regional meet in 2026.

“The Philippines will continue to champion for change that will strengthen our institutions, improve our decision-making and uphold ASEAN centrality,” Marcos said at the plenary session here.

“To this end, it is my pleasure to announce that the Philippines is ready to take the helm and chair ASEAN in 2026. We will fortify the foundations of our community-building and navigate ASEAN as it embarks on a new chapter,” he added.