Indonesia Urges ASEAN to Deliver Tangible Results and Accelerate South China Sea Code of Conduct

The Indonesian government has stressed that ASEAN must be able to deliver tangible benefits for its people while maintaining regional stability. The stance was conveyed by Foreign Minister Sugiono during the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) and Related Meetings in Manila, Philippines.

According to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Vahd Nabyl Achmad Mulachela, Indonesia reiterated the importance of ASEAN’s ability to provide real results for the community and ensure stability in the region. One of the main agendas pushed by Indonesia was the acceleration of the Code of Conduct (COC) negotiations in the South China Sea. Nabyl stated that ASEAN continues to strive for the COC negotiations to be completed this year in an effective, substantive manner that remains grounded in international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Beyond regional security issues, Indonesia also proposed the establishment of an ASEAN Heads of Consular Affairs Division Forum. The initiative aims to strengthen coordination among member states in protecting their citizens abroad, considering the high mobility of ASEAN nationals and the increasing complexity of consular cases and regional conflicts. Nabyl noted that not all ASEAN countries have equal consular network capacity or digital infrastructure, making such a forum crucial for mutual support.

During the retreat session, Indonesia further encouraged ASEAN to bolster food and energy security, maintain supply chain fluidity, and enhance regional preparedness against various potential disruptions. On the sidelines of the AMM, Foreign Minister Sugiono held bilateral meetings with counterparts from South Korea and Palestine. The meeting also marked the formalisation of Turkey as an ASEAN Dialogue Partner and Germany and Qatar as Sectoral Dialogue Partners, a move expected to broaden the bloc’s cooperative capacity.