ASEAN Reaffirms Commitment to Peaceful Dispute Resolution Without Threats

ASEAN has reaffirmed its collective commitment to maintaining and advancing peace, security, and stability in the region, including ensuring that dispute resolution is conducted peacefully without the threat or use of force, in accordance with international law. “We reaffirmed our shared commitment to maintaining and promoting peace, security, and stability in the region, as well as the peaceful resolution of disputes,” stated a joint communiqué adopted by the ASEAN Foreign Ministers, as quoted from the ASEAN 2026 website on Friday. The ministers stressed that dispute resolution must be carried out with full respect for legal and diplomatic processes in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). They further emphasised the importance of the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Strategic Plan, which envisions a peaceful, stable, and secure region based on the principles of the ASEAN Charter, the United Nations Charter, and international law. “The Strategic Plan underscores ASEAN’s determination to maintain and strengthen ASEAN Centrality through ASEAN-led mechanisms and other relevant platforms,” the communiqué read. ASEAN also expressed its commitment to contributing to a rules-based international order founded on international law amidst rising tensions and geopolitical rivalries, as well as contributing to the maintenance of international peace and security through the upholding of a rules-based multilateral system and international law. In the communiqué, the ministers also reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Timor-Leste’s integration into the ASEAN Community following its formal acceptance as the 11th member state. They welcomed the ASEAN Leaders’ agreement on the Cebu Protocol to amend the ASEAN Charter, which formally reflects the expansion of the organisation’s membership, and stressed the importance of Timor-Leste’s full and effective participation in all ASEAN processes and structures. ASEAN also stated it looks forward to progress on the implementation of Timor-Leste’s full membership roadmap, including accession to various ASEAN agreements and legal instruments. The ministers noted that this year marks the first year of implementing “ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future” and reaffirmed their commitment to realising this vision through the implementation of the three ASEAN Community Pillar Strategic Plans and ASEAN Connectivity to build a resilient, innovative, dynamic, and people-centred ASEAN by 2045. Furthermore, the ministers welcomed the commencement of the implementation of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Strategic Plan 2026-2030 and stressed the importance of coordinated, aligned, and results-oriented implementation of all ASEAN 2045 strategic plans. ASEAN was established in 1967 and currently comprises 11 member states: Brunei Darussalam, Timor-Leste, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines.