JAKARTA: Kuwait’s Ambassador to Indonesia Khaled Al-Yassin has stressed that Kuwait attaches great importance to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) for its fundamental principles of promoting peace, stability, mutual respect, and non-interference, as well as its emphasis on the peaceful settlement of disputes. Speaking at the Second Conference of High Contracting Parties to the TAC, held at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta, Al-Yassin reaffirmed Kuwait’s commitment to the treaty, which it acceded to in September 2023.
He said the treaty aligns with the principles of the UN Charter and supports the achievement of sustainable development goals while fostering joint cooperation and creating new economic opportunities. The ambassador highlighted Kuwait’s keenness to strengthen ties with ASEAN member states, as well as with international organizations and regional groups that share similar values and principles. He noted that this approach reflects Kuwait’s foreign policy of supporting multilateralism and expanding cooperation across regions.
In his opening remarks, ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Khaw Kim Horn described the TAC as a practical tool for enhancing shared responsibility among states. He said the treaty provides three main avenues: reaffirming commitment to its principles and objectives; expanding ASEAN’s values and norms to attract new partners; and utilizing its untapped potential in areas such as economic, cultural, scientific, and technical cooperation.
Horn underlined that since its adoption in 1976, the treaty has embodied the principles of peaceful dispute settlement and the rejection of the use of force, becoming a foundation of ASEAN’s “soft power.” He noted that the TAC has been a prerequisite for participation in ASEAN-led mechanisms such as the East Asia Summit and ASEAN Defense Ministers’ meetings, and that 57 countries have now acceded to it. He cautioned, however, that the treaty faces mounting challenges amid global tensions, conflicts, and the erosion of respect for international law, stressing that preventive diplomacy and consensus-building remain crucial to safeguarding peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
Held under the theme “Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia: Challenges and Opportunities – Past, Present and Future”, the conference was convened at the invitation of Malaysia, ASEAN’s current chair. The event brought together ASEAN ambassadors, envoys of countries that have joined the TAC, and experts from the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation. A panel discussion reviewed the treaty’s role in promoting regional stability and explored how its scope could be expanded to address modern geopolitical challenges. Participants also noted that the upcoming 50th anniversary of the treaty in 2026 represents an opportunity to reaffirm its principles and renew international commitment to multilateral cooperation. — KUNA
