Prabowo calls for stronger ASEAN unity and centrality

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has called on Southeast Asian nations to muster stronger collective action in addressing regional and global challenges while reinforcing ASEAN's centrality as the region's primary multilateral platform.

He raised the issue of regional cohesion during the plenary session of the 49th Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Manila, the Philippines, on Sunday, according to a statement received in Jakarta.

Prabowo said that ASEAN's 11 member states must make greater efforts to assert their collective influence in multilateral institutions and international decision-making processes.

"If one ASEAN member state becomes a candidate for a position at the United Nations or its affiliated organizations, all ASEAN member states should support the candidacy," he said.

The Indonesian leader stressed that such an approach is essential to strengthening ASEAN's image as a cohesive regional force.

He also encouraged fellow ASEAN leaders to reflect on the decisions made by the association's founders nearly six decades ago.

"They chose cooperation over division and collaboration over conflict," the president said, recalling the spirit of unity and partnership upon which ASEAN was founded.

Furthermore, he acknowledged that relations among countries within the same region inevitably come with shared challenges.

On that note, Prabowo invited ASEAN leaders to continue strengthening regional solidarity and ensuring that regional cooperation delivers tangible outcomes.

"Let us have the courage to build strength to deliver many things together and be determined to achieve better results together," he said.

Prabowo's call for regional unity aligns with Indonesia's commitment to advancing ASEAN as a more cohesive and influential force capable of actively shaping the future of the world.

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Translator: F. Rochman, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Bayu Prasetyo
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