Indonesia Stresses ASEAN Unity Amid Global Rivalries, Investment Shifts

By Mohd Iswandi Kasan Anuar

JAKARTA, July 9 (Bernama) -- Indonesia has called on ASEAN to reinforce its strategic and economic resilience amid intensifying global rivalries and declining global investment, cautioning that the bloc’s relevance depends on its ability to respond cohesively.

Speaking at the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) plenary session in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday, Foreign Minister Sugiono said the region was “navigating an increasingly complex strategic environment” and must address both geopolitical and geoeconomic pressures in tandem.

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“ASEAN must lead by fostering a predictable, open investment climate, as a safe harbour amid global uncertainty and a magnet for sustainable foreign direct investment (FDI),” he said.

Although the latest UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) report showed a global decline in investment, Sugiono said ASEAN still stood out with a 10 per cent rise in foreign direct investment, reflecting growing investor confidence and reinforcing the region’s position as a safe harbour and magnet for sustainable FDI.

He also expressed Indonesia’s full support for the ASEAN Geoeconomics Task Force and called on the bloc to move from policy briefings to concrete action.

He also urged full implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and called on the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ensure coherence across all pillars.

Reaffirming Jakarta’s support for Timor-Leste’s full ASEAN membership, he urged member states to expedite internal processes, while reiterating President Prabowo Subianto’s proposal to deepen ASEAN's engagement with Papua New Guinea, an observer since 1976 with strong strategic and cultural ties to the region.

“In today’s uncertain geopolitical climate, it is also timely for us to broaden ASEAN’s outreach, and Papua New Guinea is a natural partner,” he said.

On regional stability, he supported proposals to revitalise the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, including the introduction of an expiration mechanism and enhancing its preventive diplomacy role.

“ASEAN’s credibility will be defined by the consensus of our values and the coherence of our actions. Let us build an ASEAN that is not only resilient and cohesive, but also visionary, inclusive, and future-ready,” he added.

-- BERNAMA