“Today, we can say with pride that ASEAN has honoured that promise. Together, we have helped preserve peace in our region. We have deepened economic cooperation, expanded opportunities and strengthened partnerships,” he said in a video message shown during the 59th ASEAN Day celebration in Jakarta on Saturday.

Marcos said ASEAN had also demonstrated that diversity was a source of strength and that consensus, patience and trust could move nations forward as the grouping marked the first year of implementing the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.

Under its chairmanship this year, he said the Philippines had sought to translate the vision into action under the theme ‘Navigating Our Shared Future Together’, with ASEAN focusing on energy security, food security and the safety of its nationals amid the situation in the West Asia.

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Marcos said conflicts beyond Southeast Asia showed how crises could affect stability, economies and communities far beyond where they began, as the region also confronted climate change, economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions and the rapid rise of artificial intelligence.

Looking ahead to the 49th ASEAN Summit and related summits in November, as well as the transition to Singapore as the next chair, Marcos expressed confidence in ASEAN’s collective will, its partnerships and the shared commitment of member states to sustain progress and continuity.

Meanwhile, Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono said ASEAN, home to nearly 700 million people and the world’s fifth-largest economy, had positioned itself as a driver of regional growth, resilience and stability.

He said that in a world increasingly shaped by conflict, strategic rivalry and fragmentation, ASEAN had an important role as a bridge-builder, bringing countries of different sizes, interests and perspectives to the same table to manage differences through dialogue and mutual respect.

“ASEAN has also made it clear that our region must never become an arena for great power rivalry, nor will ASEAN choose sides. Because our side is, and always will be, the side of our people, their welfare, their security and their future,” he said in his remarks at the celebration.

With ASEAN set to turn 60 next year, Sugiono said the grouping must continue strengthening its capacity to chart its own course, as its approach of choosing peace over conflict and dialogue over coercion became increasingly important in an uncertain world.

He said ASEAN had shown that unity remained possible even among countries that did not always agree, adding that the grouping owed it to the next generation to stand together and build a region that was stronger, safer and more welcoming for all.

-- BERNAMA