Indonesia Proposes Consular Forum to Protect ASEAN Citizens

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that it proposed the establishment of an ASEAN Heads of Consular Affairs Division Forum to strengthen coordination in protecting the citizens of ASEAN member states abroad.

At a media briefing in Jakarta on Thursday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Vahd Nabyl A. Mulachela said the proposal was first put forward by Indonesia at the 29th ASEAN Director General Immigration Department and Heads of Consular Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Meeting in Cambodia in June.

“This proposal was raised again by the Foreign Minister at the 59th AMM in Manila, and the consideration is the increasing mobility of ASEAN citizens,” said Nabyl.

According to Nabyl, the proposal was made because not all ASEAN member states have equivalent representative network capacities and digital infrastructure, so each member state’s efforts to respond to crises differ. Through the proposed special mechanism, coordination on consular issues can strengthen ASEAN collaboration collectively.

“The hope is that this can become a forum at the level of directors and heads of division from each foreign ministry, especially those handling consular issues and the protection of Indonesian citizens and ASEAN citizens,” said Nabyl.

In addition, Nabyl mentioned that officials at director level from each country handling consular issues and citizen protection would become members of the forum.

He also explained that the proposal will focus on coordinating mutual support, exchanging information and best practices, and developing guidelines, standard operating procedures, and practical working tools.

The forum will also promote training, capacity building for consular officials, and the strengthening of people-centred protection for ASEAN citizens.