Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son at the meeting.(Photo: WVR/Tuan Anh)

They were the first activities as part of the 56th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting and related meetings in the capital city of Indonesia.

Sharing the importance of the SEANWFZ, Foreign Minister Son underlined the need to improve the value and position of the treaty amid the current complex and potentially risky environment. He reaffirmed Vietnam's commitment and determination to effectively carry out the SEANWFZ Plan of Action and work with ASEAN to encourage nuclear-weapon states to join the Protocol to the SEANWFZ Treaty.

The SEANWFZ Commission heard the ASEAN Secretary-General's report on the implementation of the SEANWFZ Plan of Action for the 2023-2027 period, welcomed the results in promoting nuclear security and safety, as well as ASEAN's cooperation with partners, and reiterated the consensus to continue seeking solutions for nuclear-weapon states to join the treaty.

Amid uncertainties and challenges, including the risk of nuclear conflicts, ministers reaffirmed the political will of the member countries to uphold the SEANWFZ's objectives, consult and dialogue towards a nuclear-free Southeast Asia.

They endorsed the Concept Paper on joint cooperation initiatives between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Agency for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (OPANAL), contributing to enhancing the value of the SEANWFZ Treaty and the collective efforts to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons and disarmament.

At the dialogue with the AICHR, Foreign Minister Son highly valued the commission’s efforts and the results in implementing the Work Plan for 2021-2025. He suggested AICHR maintain a progressive and relevant approach in line with the interests of member states and engage in cooperative activities with partners based on the constructive and goodwill spirit in accordance with the principles, procedures and processes of ASEAN.

ASEAN reaffirms its goal of building a nuclear-free Southeast Asia, promoting regional cooperation on human rights: Overview of the meeting. (Photo: WVR/Tuan Anh)

With 15 activities last year, the AICHR stepped up cooperation in human rights and achieved specific results in various areas such as the rights of persons with disabilities, children's rights, climate change and environment rights.

Through consultations and policy support for agencies and field visits, the AICHR had opportunities to share views and listen to concerns of different groups, contributing to bringing the ASEAN community closer to the people and better meeting their needs.

The Ministers stressed that the promotion and protection of human rights is a consistent content and goal throughout the ASEAN integration process.

In the face of positive and negative impacts of emerging issues that deeply affect human rights, they called on the AICHR, with its role and assigned tasks, to improve the effectiveness of its activities, strengthen cross-sectoral consultations and dialogues, and build thorough solutions that best ensure the interests of the people and align with the common concerns of the region.