Jakarta (VNA) – Heads of State and Government of the Associationof Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member nations have reaffirmed their commitment to furtherstrengthen ASEAN Community, its unity and centrality at the 43rd ASEAN Summit and related meetings held in Jakarta.

In a Chairman’s Statement of the summit issued on September 6, they said: “Wereviewed ASEAN’s progress and reaffirmed our commitment to further strengthenASEAN as an organisation that is robust and agile, equipped with strengthenedcapacity and institutional effectiveness to address today’s challenges and toremain relevant for its people, the region, and the world while continuing toserve as an epicentre of growth and prosperity for the region and beyond.”

The leaders affirmed our shared commitment to maintaining and promoting peace,security and stability in the region, as well as to the peaceful resolution ofdisputes, including full respect for legal and diplomatic processes, withoutresorting to the threat or use of force, in accordance with the universallyrecognised principles of international law, including the 1982 United NationsConvention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

They expressed concerns on actions that put the safety of all persons at risk,damage to the marine environment, which have eroded trust and confidence,increased tensions, and may undermine peace, security and stability in theregion.

They reaffirmed the need to enhance mutualtrust and confidence, exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities thatwould complicate or escalate disputes and affect peace and stability, and avoidactions that may further complicate the situation.

They also underscored the importance of thefull and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), andwelcomed the progress achieved so far in the ongoing negotiations on a Codeof Conduct in the East Sea (COC), including the completion of thesecond reading of the Single Draft COC Negotiating Text (SDNT), and theadoption of the Guidelines for Accelerating the Early Conclusion of anEffective and Substantive Code of Conduct in the East Sea.

They said they further looked forward to the early conclusion of an effectiveand substantive COC that is in accordance with international law, including the1982 UNCLOS.

Additionally, they stressed the importance of undertaking confidence building and measures to enhance trust amongparties, as well as upholding international law,including the 1982 UNCLOS./.