AIPA: Indonesia Bears Special Responsibility for Maintaining ASEAN Peace
Yogyakarta (ANTARA) - The Secretary-General of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), Chem Widhya, believes that Indonesia holds a special responsibility to maintain and strengthen peace in Southeast Asia amidst increasing global geopolitical dynamics.
This statement was made by Chem Widhya during the “26th AIPA Roadshow: Parliamentary Diplomacy and Youth Leadership in ASEAN” held at the Muhammadiyah University of Yogyakarta (UMY), Yogyakarta, on Monday.
According to him, as one of the founding members of ASEAN and its largest member state, Indonesia plays a strategic role in ensuring that the peace values contained within the “Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia” (TAC) remain a guiding principle for countries in the region.
“The Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) is an Indonesian legacy as it was signed in Indonesia. As the largest member state, Indonesia has a special responsibility to ensure that the TAC remains a living guide for the region,” said Chem Widden.
He emphasised that the TAC is not merely a historical document, but rather the foundation of peaceful relations between Southeast Asian nations, which has contributed to maintaining regional stability for almost six decades.
“Indonesia has a responsibility to ensure that the values contained within it continue to be implemented so that ASEAN remains united and capable of facing the challenges of a constantly changing international system,” he said.
He added that ASEAN’s success in maintaining regional stability so far is inseparable from the commitment of member states to prioritise dialogue and cooperation over confrontation.
Therefore, Indonesia, as the initiator of the TAC, is expected to continue playing an important role in strengthening trust and cooperation among ASEAN member states.
“ASEAN must remain united. Indonesia has a crucial role in ensuring that the spirit of dialogue remains the primary path in facing new challenges, as well as ensuring the region remains stable and peaceful in the future,” he said.
Through the involvement of the younger generation and the strengthening of parliamentary cooperation, it is hoped that the peace values contained in the TAC will remain relevant and can be passed on to future generations.
The ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) is a regional parliamentary body that serves as a centre for communication, information, and cooperation between the parliaments of ASEAN member states.
AIPA serves as the only official platform for parliamentary representatives in Southeast Asia to exchange views and harmonise laws within the region.