The Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia continues to be one of the important foundational documents of ASEAN.

The United Nations General Assembly is expected to adopt a Resolution sponsored by ASEAN countries on the TAC at its 80th session.

Delegates attending the Conference.

On September 18, the second Conference of the Parties to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), with the theme “Challenges and Opportunities - Past, Present and Future”, was held at the ASEAN Secretariat headquarters in Jakarta with the participation of Ambassador-level representatives of 57 Parties to the Treaty.

ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn delivered the opening remarks and the Malaysian Ambassador to ASEAN, on behalf of the country holding the ASEAN Chair 2025, chaired the Conference.

The conference is an important occasion for ASEAN member countries and countries participating in the TAC to strongly affirm their commitment to the principles of the TAC, discuss ways to implement the TAC and measures to enhance the relevance and effectiveness of the TAC in the region and globally, towards the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty in 2026.

ASEAN countries affirmed that after nearly five decades, in the context of complex and unpredictable developments in the region and the world, and challenges to international law, the TAC continues to be one of the important fundamental documents of ASEAN, promoting the spirit of friendship and cooperation, enhancing dialogue, building trust, preventing and effectively managing the risks of conflict, contributing to maintaining peace , security and stability in the region.

TAC today is not only a code of conduct between Southeast Asian countries but has expanded in scope with the participation of many partners from all regions of the world .

On the important milestone of marking the 50th anniversary of the TAC, the United Nations General Assembly is expected to adopt an ASEAN-sponsored Resolution on the TAC at its 80th session in 2025.

The Philippines, the 2026 ASEAN Chair, also announced plans to organize important activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the TAC, calling on countries to actively respond.

Speaking at the Conference, representatives of 35 countries participating in TAC emphasized the meaning and value of TAC and promoted the important role of the regional structure with ASEAN at the center.

The six basic principles stated in the TAC on respect for independence, sovereignty , territorial integrity; respect for national identity of nations; the right to exist without interference, coercion or duress; non-interference in each other's internal affairs; peaceful settlement of disputes; renunciation of the threat or use of force have been affirmed by many countries and called on all participating parties to comply with their responsibilities.

The countries participating in the TAC also expressed their willingness to seek and promote cooperation opportunities in areas of mutual interest, in line with the spirit of the TAC, effectively utilize ASEAN-led mechanisms, contribute to the common efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region, and effectively respond to both traditional and non-traditional security challenges.

Many countries shared views on issues that threaten peace, security and stability in the region, such as the situation in the East Sea, Myanmar, the Korean Peninsula, sovereignty and territorial disputes, and armed conflicts in other regions of the world, calling for the application of the principles of the TAC and the use of the TAC as a tool to promote the search for peaceful and sustainable solutions to these challenges.

On the same afternoon, a Channel 1.5 Discussion Session took place, with the participation of prestigious diplomats and researchers in the region, discussing ways to promote and preserve the role and value of TAC, as well as effectively utilize TAC to contribute to maintaining peace, security and stability in the region.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/hiep-uoc-than-thien-va-hop-tac-o-dong-nam-a-tiep-tuc-la-mot-trong-cac-van-kien-nen-tang-quan-trong-cua-asean-328544.html