The APT Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in the Indonesian capital Jakarta on July 13. ASEAN SECRETARIAT
In the face of escalating geopolitical tensions, ASEAN Plus Three (APT) – China, Japan and South Korea – have expressed a unified resolve to soothe the strain and diffuse discord.
A recent pledge to this effect was made by top diplomats at the APT Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in the Indonesian capital Jakarta on July 13.
Chaired by Indonesian foreign minister Retno Marsudi, the assembly also saw the presence of Cambodian foreign minister Prak Sokhonn.
Amid the unfolding geopolitical theatre, their promise to mitigate the fallout of regional discord marks a notable commitment.
The chair’s statement highlighted the meeting’s endorsement of ASEAN to pilot the region’s economic and security design.
This endorsement aims to ensure that geopolitical and geostrategic shifts will perpetuate peace, security, stability and prosperity for Southeast Asia and the broader Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean regions.
“The meeting expressed concern over intensifying geopolitical tensions and is convinced more than ever of the value and relevance of further strengthening the APT partnership in accordance with the principles of the ASEAN Charter and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia [TAC],” the statement read.
Reflecting on the region’s robust potential, the meeting acknowledged ASEAN’s strategic importance as a growth centre for security, stability and prosperity.
The APT affirmed its commitment to further its mission – fostering constructive dialogue, facilitating concrete cooperation among its members, and supporting ASEAN’s pivotal and proactive role in an open, inclusive and rules-based regional framework rooted in international law.
To advance regional peace and prosperity, the meeting encouraged the rejuvenation of a trilateral mechanism.
It reiterated the commitment to keeping the region a growth hotspot and mitigating geopolitical tensions’ impacts by building resilience and readiness against future shocks.
“The meeting committed to maintaining the region as a growth centre and mitigating the impacts of geopolitical tensions by building resilience and preparedness against future shocks towards inclusive, equitable and sustainable growth,” the statement said.
Conversations also extended to the pressing need to bolster dialogue and collaboration in tackling terrorism, transnational crimes and non-traditional security issues such as people smuggling, illicit trafficking of wildlife and timber, cybercrime, illicit drug trafficking and border management.
Thong Mengdavid, a research fellow at the Asian Vision Institute’s Mekong Centre for Strategic Studies, said the great powers and the central powers often declare their position of peace and stability in the region, but that what matters is the efficacy of promises and declarations.
He pointed out the consequent increase in confrontation and tension.
“ASEAN, as a leader in the region, need to maintain its leadership position and implement ASEAN-led initiatives that serve the interests of the ASEAN economy, security and people,” he suggested.
“If ASEAN can maintain a balance of power in the region by establishing a joint regional development and security mechanism among all ASEAN dialogue partners, it can certainly mitigate geopolitical tensions and turn power rivalry into a positive and win-win cooperation focused on sustainable and inclusive development”.
