ASEAN Highlights Urgency of Global Situation Discussions at 59th AMM in the Philippines
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has underscored the urgency of discussing the global situation among member states and dialogue partners during the 59th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM) in the Philippines, amid rising global instability.
ASEAN Spokesperson Dominic Xavier Imperial stated that the AMM serves as a strategic forum for ASEAN and its dialogue partners to strengthen cooperation while addressing challenges at both the regional and global levels.
“The AMM, Post-Ministerial Conference (PMC), and related meetings on the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) this week are very important as they provide a moment for ASEAN to meet with dialogue partners who are also affected by global developments,” Imperial said.
The series of meetings, chaired by Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Theresa P. Lazaro, brings together ASEAN and its dialogue partners, including the United States, China, Japan, South Korea, the European Union, India, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Russia, and the United Kingdom.
“Through this forum, ASEAN’s dialogue partners can discuss steps forward in facing the evolving situation and how ASEAN will move to respond to various developments that are occurring,” Imperial added.
Regarding relations with China, he confirmed that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is scheduled to attend the meetings, including the ASEAN-China Post-Ministerial Conference. Imperial noted that the conference would be an opportunity for ASEAN and China to discuss common interests and strengthen cooperation within the ASEAN-China framework.
Meanwhile, Imperial said the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) reaffirms ASEAN’s sustained commitment to peace, dialogue, and cooperation. He noted that over the decades, ASEAN has demonstrated its ability to remain united amid various geopolitical challenges by adhering to the principles of the ASEAN Charter and maintaining ASEAN Centrality.
The 59th AMM and related meetings will include the plenary session of ASEAN foreign ministers, the Post-Ministerial Conferences, the ASEAN Plus Three Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the ASEAN Regional Forum, and the East Asia Summit. The series of events will conclude with the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the TAC, which will include the signing of accessions by new countries to the treaty and the inaugural convening of the Conference of the High Contracting Parties to the TAC.