President Prabowo Urges ASEAN to Strengthen Peace and Regional Stability
Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto called on member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to make Southeast Asia a “zone of peace” amid rising global geopolitical tensions.
Speaking during the plenary session of the 48th ASEAN Summit at Mactan Expo on Friday, President Prabowo stressed that ASEAN must serve as a stable anchor in an increasingly divided global environment through stronger cooperation and solidarity among member countries.
“We must give the example, we must be really committed to have solid ASEAN and ASEAN that maintains peace, maintains stability, that values dialogue and collaboration,” he said during the panel session.
Prabowo urged ASEAN member states to strengthen a culture of peace and deepen regional cooperation, emphasizing that the bloc should stand as a model of harmony and stability in the international community.
“At a time of deepening divides, ASEAN’s culture of peace must not only be preserved, but we must advance it to be a global example. ASEAN must continue to lead, shape its environment, secure its future. We must truly be the zone of peace,” he added.
The Indonesian president warned that geopolitical rivalries could negatively affect societies and hamper regional development, stressing the importance of dialogue and cooperation as the foundation of international relations.
“We must not allow rivalries. We must not allow our past to determine our present and our future. Indonesia is determined to forge a policy of good neighborliness,” he stated.
The session was opened by Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and included statements from ASEAN leaders on regional developments and future priorities.
Among the leaders participating in the panel discussion were Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Timor-Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão, Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet.
The summit focused on strengthening regional unity, peace, and cooperation amid evolving geopolitical and economic challenges facing Southeast Asia.
