Indonesia and Australia reaffirm their commitment to strengthening ASEAN cooperation by promoting regional peace, economic integration, maritime security and sustainable development across the Indo-Pacific.
In light of this, Indonesia and Australia have reinforced their joint pledge to reinforce cooperation within the ASEAN framework through fostering peace and resilience in the region amid discussions at the side-lines of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting. In this regard, the two nations have shown their commitment towards ASEAN centrality and cooperation.
The meeting took place between Sugiono of Indonesia and Penny Wong of Australia, who deliberated on the progress, made in bilateral ties and exchanged views regarding ways to improve cooperation using ASEAN-led approaches. The two ministers agreed that a unified ASEAN is important for regional peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.
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Regional security became one of the main areas discussed in the talks. Indonesia and Australia stressed the need to maintain a peaceful and stable regional order based on international law, dialogue, and mutual respect. They underlined the important role of ASEAN in solving regional security problems and building up constructive engagement between partner nations.
Issues related to economic cooperation were also high on the agenda of the conference. Both parties decided to work on enhancing cooperation in matters such as trade, investments and sustainable economic development in addition to fostering resilient supply chains and regional economic integration. The ministers stressed the need for increasing business relations and innovation.
There was also discussion on increasing cooperation in matters pertaining to the sea, noting the strategic significance of open and safe maritime routes for facilitating trade. The two sides reiterated their commitment to working towards maritime security and the promotion of freedom of navigation at sea.
Other than the topics of security and economics, Indonesia and Australia discussed regional developments and their commitment to inclusive multilateralism. Dialogue, diplomacy and cooperation were stressed by both nations in resolving geopolitics-related challenges and building ASEAN-led structures for regional cooperation.
Additional areas for enhanced cooperation were identified during the conference, including areas of climate resilience, sustainable development, and exchange programs. The ministers agreed that closer collaboration within the areas of education, innovation and capacity building will contribute to regional connectivity and prosperity.
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Both Indonesia and Australia reiterated their intentions to implement existing bilateral and regional programs which would help in realizing the development agenda of ASEAN. The reason behind the move is to enhance regional institutions by aligning their efforts with the priorities of ASEAN.
Concluding the dialogues, both ministers were confident that Indonesia-Australia collaboration would enhance the status of ASEAN as the bedrock of regional architecture. Through promoting collaboration in areas of peace, security, trade, maritime and sustainable development, both countries are hoping to help build a stronger and more stable Indo-Pacific region.