ISLAMABAD, AUG 19 /DNA/ – The ASEAN Committee in Islamabad (ACI), representing the diplomatic missions of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam, issued a Joint Statement today to commemorate the 59th Anniversary of the Founding of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
In the statement, the ACI celebrated the region’s journey from the signing of the ASEAN Declaration in Bangkok on August 8, 1967, to its current status as a dynamic and influential regional community. The committee underscored the organization’s foundational principles of mutual respect, peaceful settlement of disputes, and non-interference, which continue to underpin ASEAN’s contributions to regional stability.
The statement notes that 2026 is a landmark year for the bloc. It marks the first year of implementing the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, a long-term roadmap aimed at building a resilient, innovative, and people-centered community. Coincidentally, 2026 also marks the 50th Anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), a cornerstone of peaceful coexistence in the region.
Furthermore, the ACI formally welcomed Timor-Leste as the 11th Member State of ASEAN, describing it as a historic development that strengthens the association’s community-building efforts.
Under the Philippines’ Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2026, the group is operating under the theme “Navigating Our Future, Together.” The statement outlines three core priorities anchored on this theme: (1) Peace and Security Anchors, (2) People Empowerment, and (3) Prosperity Corridors.
To achieve these goals, the ACI stated that the bloc will strengthen peace and stability through dialogue, empower communities through inclusion and innovation, and advance digital transformation and sustainable development. The committee also reaffirmed the importance of ASEAN Centrality, emphasizing that regional cooperation draws strength from diversity and mutual trust, rather than uniformity.
The Joint Statement placed significant emphasis on ASEAN’s ongoing partnership with the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The ACI acknowledged Pakistan’s evolving engagement since being accorded Sectoral Dialogue Partnership status in 1993, and its accession to the TAC in 2004. The committee noted Pakistan’s active participation in the ASEAN Regional Forum as a key avenue for cooperation.
Looking forward, the ACI encouraged the expansion of ASEAN-Pakistan cooperation into critical areas, including:
- Trade and investment
- Connectivity and digital transformation
- Education and climate resilience
- Tourism and human resource development
- Science and technology
- People-to-people exchanges
Acknowledging the increasingly complex global landscape marked by geopolitical uncertainty and climate change, the ACI reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a strong collective presence in Pakistan. The Committee pledged to work closely with the Government of Pakistan, diplomatic partners, academic institutions, and civil society to foster deeper understanding and practical cooperation.
“ASEAN’s greatest strength lies not only in its economic dynamism or strategic importance, but in the enduring bonds among its peoples and in its shared determination to build a peaceful, inclusive, resilient and prosperous region,” the statement read.
The ACI concluded its message by reaffirming the ASEAN spirit of “Navigating Our Future, Together,” looking forward to working with Pakistan and global partners to achieve a future defined by peace, prosperity, resilience, and inclusivity, under the organization’s official motto: ASEAN: One Vision, One Identity, One Community.
