During the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Retreat held in Langkawi, Malaysia, on January 19, 2025, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ foreign ministers convened to discuss pressing issues including the South China Sea, Myanmar, and the Middle East. The retreat marked the first meeting under Malaysia’s chairmanship of ASEAN, with a focus on inclusivity and sustainability as key themes for the year ahead.
Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo highlighted the retreat’s discussions on regional and international matters such as climate change and transnational crimes. Malaysia, as the ASEAN chair, emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong commitment to various international treaties and declarations, including the United Nations Charter and the ASEAN Charter.
The ministers expressed a unified stance on the need to uphold peace, security, and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, calling for mutual trust and the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law, specifically the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Concerns were raised about recent developments in the area that could undermine regional stability.
Regarding Myanmar, the ASEAN chair voiced deep concern over the ongoing conflict and the slow progress in implementing the Five-Point Consensus aimed at resolving the political crisis. The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the consensus and supported the decision to limit Myanmar’s participation in ASEAN meetings to a non-political level. They also condemned violence against civilians and called for immediate action to halt such acts and facilitate humanitarian assistance.
On the Middle East, the foreign ministers expressed grave concern over the war in Gaza and the resulting humanitarian crisis. They condemned attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, urging for the immediate implementation of a ceasefire agreement and the release of hostages, particularly ASEAN nationals. The ministers called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, advocating for a two-state solution in line with international law.