Guterres: ASEAN is a fundamental pillar of the multipolarity required for world peace

In his speech during the ASEAN-United Nations summit in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, Mr. António Guterres highlighted the partnership between the two parties based on… “Common principles and practical cooperation.”

He touched on some of the security challenges facing the region, including in the South China Sea, where freedom of navigation must be maintained and risks reduced, and he welcomed Malaysia’s role in facilitating the ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand.

However, he said that peace is still elusive in besieged Myanmar In it “Rohingya and other communities in a cycle of persecution and flight” – where Thousands of people have been killed, millions displaced, and humanitarian needs are increasing sharply amid a severe funding shortfall for the humanitarian plan.

And he said: “I strongly condemn the bloodshed, and urge all parties to stop the fighting, protect civilians, allow unimpeded humanitarian access, and engage in an inclusive political process.”

Mr. Guterres called for the release of those arbitrarily detained, including democratically elected leaders, adding that the United Nations remains committed to supporting ASEAN’s implementation of the Five-Point Consensus – which ASEAN put forward in 2021 – andSecurity Council Resolution No. 2669.

The Secretary-General pointed to other areas of partnership between the United Nations and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, including peacekeeping operations, sustainable development and financial justice, climate action, digital transformation and cybersecurity.

He said that the United Nations is proud of its partnership with ASEAN, and called on the leaders to continue to demonstrate “Cooperation is the most powerful engine for peace and progress – in Southeast Asia and beyond.”