ASEAN POLITICAL-SECURITY COMMUNITY STRATEGIC PLAN
Adopted by the 46th ASEAN Summit
26 May 2025
I. INTRODUCTION
1. The ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Blueprint 2025 provides the roadmap in ASEAN’s journey towards what is envisioned to be a political-security community, one of the three pillars of the ASEAN Community. The effective implementation of the Blueprint has significantly contributed to the ASEAN Community-building process under the APSC Pillar and elevated ASEAN political and security cooperation to a higher level.
2. With the completion of the ASEAN Community Vision 2025, a successor ASEAN Community Vision 2045 was crafted, along with the APSC Strategic Plan which is meant to contribute to efforts in realising a resilient, innovative, dynamic and people-centred ASEAN by 2045.
3. Amidst the intensified geopolitical dynamics, ASEAN shall continue to drive the regional architecture and project its position on regional and global issues. ASEAN remains committed to maintaining and promoting peace, security and stability in the region, as well as to the peaceful resolution of disputes.
4. The APSC Strategic Plan is guided by the ASEAN Charter as well as other key ASEAN instruments and documents, which provide the principles and frameworks for ASEAN political and security cooperation and their implementation. The strategic measures provided in the APSC Strategic Plan shall be translated into initiatives, projects and programmes in pursuing the Strategic Goals.
5. Cognisant of the rapidly evolving global environment, especially in the post-2025 era, the implementation of the Strategic Plan will require an innovative, responsive, inclusive, forward-looking and people-centred approach. This is to ensure the relevance of the APSC Strategic Plan in anticipating and effectively addressing the impacts, while seizing the inherent opportunities, of existing and future megatrends.
II. STRATEGIC GOALS OF APSC STRATEGIC PLAN
6. The APSC Strategic Plan contains nine Strategic Goals pertaining to politicalsecurity cooperation, which are interconnected and complementary to one another. It shall be pursued in a holistic manner, which allows for greater synergy and coordination across sectors under the APSC Pillar, as well as with the other Community Pillars and ASEAN Connectivity, where relevant.
7. The Strategic Goals of the APSC Strategic Plan are as follows:
STRATEGIC GOAL 1
A peaceful, stable and secure region based on the fundamental principles as enshrined in the ASEAN Charter, the United Nations (UN) Charter and international law, including international humanitarian law, subscribed to by ASEAN Member States.
Objectives
• To adhere to and promote the principles of the ASEAN Charter, including peaceful settlement of disputes, and to refrain from the threat or use of force, in accordance with international law.
• To strengthen the rule of law, judicial systems and legal infrastructure.
Strategic Measures
In pursuing Strategic Goal 1, the following Strategic Measures are identified across two focus areas, namely:
A. Adhere to and promote fundamental principles based on the ASEAN Charter
1.1. Reaffirm the purposes and uphold the fundamental principles enshrined in the ASEAN Charter and other key ASEAN instruments, including the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) and the Treaty of Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ).
1.2. Conduct activities to promote awareness and understanding of the principles and norms in key ASEAN instruments, including the ASEAN Charter, the TAC and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), as well as promote adherence to the TAC’s underlying principles among High Contracting Parties.
1.3. Further strengthen legal infrastructure in ASEAN, including but not limited to exploring the harmonisation of trade laws, strengthening ASEAN’s capacity on crime prevention and criminal justice, and mutual legal assistance in civil and commercial matters.
1.4. Promote activities and programmes to strengthen networking and cooperation between ASEAN, ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) and Council of ASEAN Chiefs’ Justice (CACJ) to support a rules-based ASEAN.
1.5. Enhance cooperation and coordination among relevant ASEAN Sectoral Bodies and legal and judicial Entities associated with ASEAN, including engagements between the ASEAN Law Ministers Meeting (ALAWMM) and the ASEAN Law Association (ALA), as well as explore cooperation among relevant competent authorities of ASEAN Member States dealing with prosecutorial matters, to strengthen the rule of law, judicial systems and legal infrastructure.
1.6. Promote knowledge of political and legal systems, culture and history of ASEAN Member States to enhance the understanding of and respect for the common identity and diversity of ASEAN.
B. Adhere to international law and promote a culture of peace, dialogue and cooperation
1.7. Uphold the principles of international law governing the peaceful conduct of relations and respect for the UN Charter.
1.8. Promote an enabling environment for peace, stability and shared prosperity by ensuring a culture of dialogue and cooperation and enhancing mutual trust and confidence and respect for international law.
1.9. Advance the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) process to preventive diplomacy and conflict resolution through effective revitalisation of its mechanisms and proactive implementation of its Work Plans while consolidating confidencebuilding measures.
1.10.Strengthen partnership with the UN on preventive diplomacy capacity-building programmes, experience-sharing and training through ASEAN-led mechanisms, as well as explore cooperation with other relevant international and regional organisations, in line with ASEAN principles.
1.11.Enhance cooperation and coordination among participating ASEAN Member States in UN peacekeeping and post-conflict peacebuilding efforts.
1.12.Collaborate with leading global institutions to strengthen ASEAN’s research activities on peace, reconciliation, conflict management and conflict resolution.
1.13.Strengthen ASEAN’s capacity on crime prevention and criminal justice by enhancing access to justice and legal assistance, including through public education and outreach activities.
STRATEGIC GOAL 2
A Community that sustains and reinforces its centrality through ASEAN-led mechanisms and other relevant platforms, leveraging its strengths in the peaceful conduct of relations among states, as well as in forging new and potential partnerships while ensuring substantive and mutually beneficial relations.
Objectives
• To strengthen ASEAN Centrality in external relations while remaining actively engaged, outward-looking, inclusive and non-discriminatory, in line with the ASEAN Charter.
• To reach out to new and potential partners, and to ensure that all ASEAN partnerships are substantive, meaningful and mutually beneficial.
• To enhance defence and security dialogue as well as practical cooperation among ASEAN Member States and ASEAN’s external partners for a peaceful, secure and stable region.
Strategic Measures
In pursuing Strategic Goal 2, the following Strategic Measures are identified across three focus areas, namely:
A. Sustain and reinforce ASEAN Centrality in the evolving regional architecture
2.1. Strengthen ASEAN centrality in shaping and leading the evolving regional architecture to remain open, transparent, inclusive and rules-based that upholds international law, including through enhancing the effectiveness of ASEAN-led mechanisms.
2.2. Strengthen ASEAN-led mechanisms in navigating geopolitical dynamics amidst major power rivalry in the region as well as addressing current and future challenges and opportunities.
2.3. Enhance understanding and visibility of ASEAN through relevant ASEAN Centres and ASEAN Committees in Third Countries and International Organisations (ACTCs).
2.4. Enhance the role of the ACTCs in promoting ASEAN and its potential as well as cooperation between ASEAN and the host countries/international organisations.
B. Strengthen ASEAN-led mechanisms
2.5. Enhance the role of the Chair of ASEAN as stipulated in the ASEAN Charter to ensure more effective and timely ASEAN responses to specific challenges.
2.6. Strengthen the East Asia Summit (EAS) as a premier Leaders-led forum for dialogue and cooperation on broad strategic, political and economic issues of common interest and concern.
2.7. Improve the efficiency of EAS processes on dialogue and cooperation on broad strategic, political and economic issues.
2.8. Ensure effective implementation of activities and projects under the EAS cooperation framework in identified areas under the EAS Plan of Action, including the implementation of the AOIP through relevant workstreams.
2.9. Enhance the role of the Chair of the ARF to further promote dialogue and cooperation on political-security issues through information-sharing and coordination among ARF Participants, promotion of confidence-building measures, preventive diplomacy activities and conflict resolution initiatives.
2.10.Utilise the recommendations of the ARF Experts and Eminent Persons (EEP) to strengthen the ARF process, where appropriate.
2.11.Enhance the effective participation of ARF defence officials in ARF activities, including through strengthening the role of the ARF Defence Officials' Dialogue (DOD) and ARF Security Policy Conference (ASPC).
2.12.Encourage interaction between the ARF Meeting of the Heads of Defence Universities, Colleges and Institutions (HDUCIM) with the Network of ASEAN Defence and Security Institutions (NADI) to promote cooperation on security education and research.
2.13.Enhance the role of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) in promoting strategic dialogue on defence and security issues as well as practical cooperation to enhance regional peace, security and stability.
2.14.Pursue strategic dialogue, consultations and practical cooperation through the ADMM-Plus in order to promote closer cooperation in addressing common regional defence and security issues between ASEAN and its Dialogue Partners and other external parties.
2.15.Ensure effective implementation of the ADMM-Plus EWG Observership Programme to keep the ADMM-Plus open and inclusive.
2.16.Explore modalities of cooperation that would enable non-Plus countries to participate in ADMM-Plus EWG activities, as determined by the ADMM based on consensus.
2.17.Promote information-sharing and timely and effective communication among defence policy-makers of ASEAN and Plus Countries, including through leveraging the ASEAN Direct Communications Infrastructure (ADI) to contribute to confidence-building in the region.
2.18.Regularly review existing initiatives and align priorities of ADMM and ADMM-Plus cooperation with emerging regional and international issues of common concern.
2.19.Enhance civil-military coordination and forge stronger partnership and collaboration with ASEAN’s partners and related stakeholders in providing effective and timely response to major natural disasters and emergencies, in line with existing frameworks such as the Standard Operating Procedure for Regional Standby Arrangements and Coordination of Joint Disaster Relief and Emergency Response Operations (SASOP).
2.20.Implement new initiatives to strengthen the ASEAN Plus Three (APT) process and cooperation with ASEAN as the driving force towards regional resilience and preparedness against emerging challenges and future shocks.
2.21.Ensure timely and effective implementation of activities and measures under the APT Cooperation Work Plans.
2.22.Continue the biennial publication of the ASEAN Security Outlook and the annual publication of the ARF Security Outlook.
2.23.Enhance cooperation and coordination among ASEAN-led mechanisms, including through information-sharing between mechanisms such as APT, EAS, ARF and ADMM-Plus.
2.24.Build synergy on disaster management among ASEAN bodies and ASEAN-led mechanisms to promote sustainable resilience and strengthen ASEAN’s collective capability towards climate and disaster resilience.
C. Deepen existing partnerships and forge new and potential partnerships, while ensuring substantive and mutually beneficial relations
2.25.Review existing cooperation with regional organisations that ASEAN has partnerships with and explore further areas of cooperation.
2.26.Pursue an outward-looking approach and reach out to new potential partners, including other regions and relevant regional organisations, based on shared interest, constructive engagement and mutual benefit.
2.27.Enhance the implementation of sustainable and mutually beneficial projects between ASEAN and its external partners to further strengthen ASEAN Community-building, including through effective utilisation of cooperation funds.
2.28.Strengthen engagement between the CPR and the ASEAN Secretariat with Ambassadors of non-ASEAN Member States and relevant intergovernmental organisations accredited to ASEAN.
2.29.Share best practices and successful case studies on engagement and integration policies with Dialogue Partners and other external parties, including relevant regional and international organisations.
2.30.Explore potential cooperation projects with external parties and the HighContracting Parties to the TAC which are not formal partners of ASEAN.
STRATEGIC GOAL 3
A Community that is able to project ASEAN position on regional and global issues.
Objectives:
• To project its common position on regional and global issues and respond collectively and constructively to regional and global developments.
• To anticipate, monitor, respond and adapt to current and emerging challenges.
• To enhance ASEAN’s credibility and standing as a regional and global player.
Strategic Measures:
In pursuing Strategic Goal 3, the following Strategic Measures are identified:
3.1. Sustain the timely issuance of ASEAN Statements on important regional and international issues of common concern while respecting the principles of independence, sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity, non-interference and national identity.
3.2. Enhance ASEAN’s leading role and centrality in discussions on Southeast Asia and other regional and international issues impacting the region at relevant regional and international fora.
3.3. Enhance strategic dialogue between ASEAN and external partners regarding cross-cutting issues within the region and international issues that impact ASEAN.
3.4. Strengthen coordination on ASEAN’s common position on issues related to nonproliferation, disarmament and peaceful uses of nuclear energy at multilateral fora and international organisations.
3.5. Continue the practice of delivering ASEAN common statements at the UN and other international fora, where appropriate.
3.6. Sustain the practice of convening special meetings at the Leaders, Ministers, Senior Officials or CPR levels, including through video conferencing, to address urgent situations affecting regional peace and stability in a timely manner and in consultation with the relevant sectoral bodies.
3.7. Strengthen coordination among ASEAN Member States and where possible, submit ASEAN candidatures to important posts in multilateral fora.
STRATEGIC GOAL 4
An ASEAN that remains a primary driving force in shaping the regional architecture and contributes towards a rules-based international order amidst geopolitical tensions and rivalries.
Objectives
• To leverage ASEAN’s strengths towards the peaceful conduct of relations among States and to respond to new geopolitical and non-traditional threats and challenges for a safe, secure, stable, synergised and strategic Community.
• To ensure ASEAN as a locomotive of peace, stability and security amidst geopolitical tensions and rivalries.
Strategic Measures
In pursuing Strategic Goal 4, the following Strategic Measures are identified:
4.1. Work with Dialogue Partners, UN and other relevant bodies on preventive diplomacy, where appropriate, to effectively address existing and emerging challenges in the region.
4.2. Promote exchanges, interactions and confidence-building measures (CBMs) in current and emerging fields of security, including but not limited to maritime security, cybersecurity, counterterrorism, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, peacekeeping operations (PKO) and military medicine.
4.3. Encourage implementation of ADMM-adopted documents or guidelines as part of CBMs for militaries to improve operational safety in the air and maritime domains.
4.4. Support the ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center (ARMAC) to lead comprehensive efforts in addressing humanitarian challenges caused by explosive remnants of war (ERW) through effective study and documentation, sharing of best practices and capacity-building initiatives.
4.5. Sustain the effective implementation of the ASEAN Convention on Counter Terrorism (ACCT) and the ASEAN Convention against Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children (ACTIP) and their respective plans of action to effectively identify, refer and protect victims and potential victims.
4.6. Enhance cooperation and partnership with Dialogue Partners and other relevant external parties to combat trafficking in persons and people smuggling.
STRATEGIC GOAL 5
An ASEAN that is a contributor to the maintenance of international peace and security through upholding the rules-based multilateral system and international law.
Objectives
• To adhere to and uphold ASEAN’s fundamental principles, values, norms and effective consensus-based decision-making mechanism in addressing issues facing the region for a united, cohesive, resilient and rules-based Community.
• To address current and future traditional and non-traditional security challenges through a comprehensive, coordinated, coherent, effective and sustained approach to be a responsive and adaptive Community.
Strategic Measures
In pursuing Strategic Goal 5, the following Strategic Measures are identified across two focus areas, namely:
A. Contribute to the maintenance of international peace by upholding international law and a rules-based multilateral system
5.1. Enhance the constructive role of ASEAN in, and promote a rules-based approach towards, the peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with the ASEAN Charter, the TAC and other relevant ASEAN instruments as well as principles of international law.
5.2. Enhance cooperation and engagement between ALAWMM and ALA, and other Track II organisations through seminars, workshops and research on international law, including ASEAN agreements.
5.3. Strengthen the participation of ASEAN Member States in UN peacekeeping and post-conflict peacebuilding efforts outside the region on a flexible, voluntary and non-binding basis.
5.4. Enhance the active participation of ASEAN Member States in Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda, including through the implementation of the ASEAN Regional Work Plan on WPS and encourage ASEAN Member States to promote the Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) agenda. 5.5. Encourage the ASEAN Peacekeeping Centres Network (APCN) to strengthen the collaboration among centres of excellence and develop common genderresponsive peacekeeping training manuals as well as explore possible areas of cooperation with ADMM-Plus EWG on Peacekeeping Operations.
5.6. Utilise and strengthen the APCN to enhance capacity-building, and highlight the contributions of ASEAN Member States to the UN.
5.7. Enhance dialogue and cooperation with peacekeeping centres, academic institutions and think-tanks in other regions as well as the UN and other regional and international organisations on peacekeeping, through information-sharing on best practices as well as capacity-building in peacekeeping and post-conflict peacebuilding.
5.8. Promote coordination among ASEAN Member States with regard to multilateral discussions on emerging issues involving international peace and security, such as outer space and autonomous weapons systems.
B. Address existing and emerging traditional and non-traditional security challenges
5.9. Activate the ASEAN Troika, through consultation and consensus, to address urgent situations affecting regional peace and stability in a timely manner.
5.10.Enhance exchanges and cooperation between defence officials and exchange of visits between military training institutions to promote trust and mutual understanding.
5.11.Promote ASEAN’s common position in various regional and multilateral fora related to preventing and combatting transnational crime and illicit drugs, as approved by the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC) and the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Drug Matters (AMMD).
B.1. Strengthen cooperation in addressing and combatting transnational crime and other emerging issues
5.12.Strengthen ASEAN’s effort to combat transnational crime covering terrorism, illicit drug trafficking, trafficking in persons (TIP), people smuggling, illicit trafficking of wildlife and timber, arms smuggling, sea piracy and armed robbery against ships, money laundering, international economic crime, cybercrime and online scams, including through enhancing cooperation with ASEAN’s external partners as well as the implementation of relevant work programmes, such as through increased information exchange, experience sharing, joint training and other relevant activities.
5.13.Endeavour to align and coordinate ASEAN and national level efforts to effectively prevent TIP, protect and support victims, enforce trafficking and related laws, prosecute offenders and enhance regional and international cooperation in countering TIP.
5.14.Consider the formulation of regional legal instruments and harmonisation of relevant national policies, laws and regulations among ASEAN Member States to further strengthen regional efforts to combat transnational crime.
5.15.Strengthen community resilience against the negative impacts of illicit drugs, through but not limited to public awareness, educational campaign, outreach programmes, including by utilising online platforms, particularly for at-risk and vulnerable groups.
5.16.Explore the possibility of developing new regional legal instruments in the area of transnational crime.
5.17.Strengthen the role of the AMMTC, AMMD and their subsidiary mechanisms to be adaptive and responsive in addressing existing and emerging transnational crime and illicit drugs, including strengthening the effectiveness of precursor chemical control.
5.18.Strengthen cross-sectoral and cross-pillar coordination among relevant ASEAN Organs/Sectoral Bodies/Entities on issues pertaining to combatting transnational crime, including border management and illicit drugs as well as precursor chemicals control, including through exchange of information and experience, capacity-building activities, joint exercises and other relevant activities.
5.19.Enhance cooperation and coordination among ASEAN Sectoral Bodies, law enforcement agencies and all relevant stakeholders including the private sector, media and civil society in dealing with transnational crime.
5.20.Strengthen ASEAN’s capacity on crime prevention as well as the criminal justice system including judges, prosecutors, law enforcement and legal officials on combatting transnational crime and illicit drugs within ASEAN and with relevant regional and international organisations, taking into account the impact of accelerated digitalisation and advancement of technology.
5.21.Enhance law enforcement cooperation to combat transnational crime and illicit drugs, including through information and intelligence sharing, mutual legal assistance, coordinated patrols, law enforcement operations and the return of the proceeds of crime.
5.22.Expedite the conclusion of the ASEAN Extradition Treaty and ensure its effective implementation.
5.23.Consider accession to the ASEAN Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters (MLAT) by non-ASEAN countries.
5.24.Strengthen ASEAN cooperation in combatting and suppressing transnational crime, particularly document fraud/forgery and the monitoring of financial transactions suspected of supporting these crimes and acts of terrorism.
5.25.Enhance ASEAN cooperation to combat money laundering and pursue asset recovery of the proceeds of crime derived from or used as means for financing transnational crime, including those using digital currencies.
5.26.Strengthen and expand existing bilateral and multilateral law enforcement cooperation to combat transnational crime and illicit drugs, including through, but not limited to, direct cooperation between ASEAN law enforcement agencies and competent authorities, MLAT, Border Liaison Offices (BLOs) and the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL).
B.1.i Continue to enhance cooperation against terrorism
5.27.Enhance ASEAN initiatives and cooperation within and outside the region aimed at preventing, addressing and combatting the root causes of terrorism and conditions conducive to terrorism, violent extremism and radicalisation.
5.28.Promote sustained and proactive approaches in rehabilitation and reintegration programmes, as part of comprehensive measures to counter terrorism, including radicalisation and violent extremism.
5.29.Promote the process of reconciliation among violent extremists and victims through restorative justice and other initiatives, as appropriate, as part of comprehensive measures to counter terrorism, including radicalisation and violent extremism.
5.30.Strengthen ASEAN cooperation to enhance the moderation and tolerance agenda, through interfaith dialogue, inter-cultural and inter-religious literacy and de-radicalisation initiatives to negate and defuse radicalisation, self-radicalisation and violent extremism in ASEAN by empowering women, youth and local communities, including faith-based organisations and religious leaders.
B.1.ii Continue to prevent and combat the flow of illicit drugs in the pursuit of a Drug-Free ASEAN
5.31.Sustain work towards a significant reduction in the illicit manufacturing and trafficking of drugs and drug-related crime so as to achieve the vision of a DrugFree ASEAN.
5.32.Strengthen collaboration between ASEAN Member States as well as with external partners to address the threat posed by the production, distribution and flow of illicit drugs.
5.33.Strengthen measures to suppress production, trafficking and abuse of illicit drugs as well as the control of import and export of precursor chemicals, including enhancing the scientific laboratory capacity of ASEAN Member States on precursor identification and drugs signature analysis.
5.34.Develop holistic, integrated and balanced strategies, evidence-based best practices and standards on policy formulation and interventions to address both supply and demand reduction, to achieve a balance between treatment and rehabilitation approaches as well as the law enforcement approach in combatting drug crimes.
B.1.iii Strengthen cooperation in cybersecurity and address challenges arising from the use of information and communication technology
5.35.Enhance ASEAN cooperation to respond to emerging challenges from the misuse and exploitation of information and communication technology (ICTs) and artificial intelligence (AI).
5.36.Strengthen cooperation in promoting cybersecurity and other emerging domains of new technology, through information exchange on cyber threats and cybersecurity best practices and build confidence and trust in network and digital infrastructure.
B.1.iv Enhance cooperation on border management
5.37.Strengthen cooperation on border management, in accordance with respective domestic laws and policies, to jointly address matters of common concern including forgery of travel documents and fraudulent use of identity papers, as well as explore the use of relevant technologies to stem cross-border flow of criminal actors, syndicates and terrorists, including foreign terrorist fighters.
5.38.Strengthen cooperation on immigration and consular matters to facilitate ease of movement of people and goods while securing the region from transnational threats, such as trafficking in persons, people smuggling and fraudulent documents.
5.39.Enhance cooperation in border control and management through cross-sectoral coordination across the three ASEAN Community pillars.
5.40.Enhance cooperation in providing consular assistance to nationals of ASEAN Member States, in line with the Guidelines on Consular Assistance by ASEAN Member States Missions in Third Countries to Nationals of Other ASEAN Member States, and Guidelines for the Provision of Emergency Assistance by ASEAN Missions in Third Countries to Nationals of ASEAN Member Countries in Crisis Situations and explore the possibility of mutually beneficial collaboration with external parties.
B.2. Strengthen cooperation in addressing non-traditional security issues, including transboundary challenges
5.41.Enhance cooperation to address non-traditional security challenges, including issues related to food, water and energy security, and health security.
5.42.Strengthen ASEAN cooperation in addressing transboundary challenges through concrete and practical activities.
5.43.Strengthen cooperation with Dialogue Partners and other external parties to effectively address transboundary challenges.
5.44.Promote studies by relevant ASEAN centres, think-tanks, universities and other relevant academic institutions to identify new transboundary challenges arising from non-traditional security issues.
STRATEGIC GOAL 6
A Southeast Asia that is a zone of peace, freedom and neutrality, and free of nuclear weapons and all other weapons of mass destruction.
Objective
• To promote and ensure that Southeast Asia remains a Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone and free of all other weapons of mass destruction, and to contribute actively to global efforts on non-proliferation, disarmament, and peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Strategic Measures In pursuing Strategic Goal 6, the following Strategic Measures are identified across two focus areas, namely:
A. Promote and ensure the Southeast Asia region remains a Nuclear WeaponFree Zone
6.1. Ensure effective implementation of the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Treaty and its Plan of Action through specific work programmes/projects.
6.2. Explore the possibility of allowing individual Nuclear Weapon States (NWS) which are willing to sign and ratify the Protocol to the SEANWFZ Treaty without reservations and provide prior formal assurance of this commitment in writing to go ahead with the signing.
6.3. Continue engaging all the NWS, including those with reservations, and intensify efforts of all parties to resolve all outstanding issues for the signing and ratification of the Protocol to the SEANWFZ Treaty in accordance with the objectives and principles of the SEANWFZ Treaty.
6.4. Continue to submit the biennial SEANWFZ Resolution to the First Committee of the UN General Assembly.
6.5. Promote an enhanced role of the SEANWFZ and its States Parties in relevant multilateral fora and frameworks on non-proliferation and disarmament, including the Review Conferences of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
6.6. Continue to promote awareness of nuclear weapon-free zones and enhance coordination and cooperation among existing nuclear weapon-free zones and Mongolia through the sharing of experiences and best practices.
6.7. Promote ASEAN participation and constructive role in the Conference of States Parties and Signatories of Treaties that Establish Nuclear Weapon-Free Zones and Mongolia.
B. Contribute to global efforts on non-proliferation, disarmament and peaceful uses of nuclear energy
6.8. Enhance cooperation in nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, especially in addressing the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons, with a view to strengthening international standards and norms in support of international efforts towards a nuclear weapon-free world.
6.9. Strengthen existing cooperation between the ASEAN Network of Regulatory Bodies on Atomic Energy (ASEANTOM) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and develop cooperation and partnerships with nuclear regulatory bodies of other regions and relevant international organisations to contribute to nuclear non-proliferation, maintaining international standards of nuclear safety and security, preventing nuclear-related accidents and protecting against nuclear terrorism.
6.10.Promote the peaceful uses of nuclear energy in compliance with the IAEA safety, security and safeguards standards.
6.11.Promote the adoption of and compliance with high standards of nuclear safety, security and safeguards, including standards developed by the IAEA to ensure peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
6.12.Continue the undertaking of joint research and development projects in civilian nuclear technology with international organisations, such as the IAEA, through workshops, seminars and exchange of experts.
6.13.Strengthen existing regional mechanisms, including the Network of ASEAN Chemical, Biological and Radiological Defence Experts, regional and international preparedness and cooperation against chemical, biological and radiological threats.
6.14.Strengthen ASEAN’s coordination and cooperation on the implementation of the ASEAN Protocol for Preparedness and Response to a Nuclear or Radiological Emergency.
STRATEGIC GOAL 7
An ASEAN with shared commitment to maintaining and promoting peace, security and stability in the region, as well as to the peaceful resolution of disputes, including full respect for legal and diplomatic processes, without resorting to the threat or use of force, in accordance with the universally recognised principles of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Objectives
• To uphold international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS.
• To promote maritime security and maritime cooperation, through ASEAN and ASEAN-led mechanisms in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS, as well as other internationally-accepted maritime conventions and principles.
• To maintain and promote stability in the maritime sphere in Southeast Asia.
• To promote the South China Sea as a sea of peace, stability, prosperity and sustainable development.
Strategic Measures
In pursuing Strategic Goal 7, the following Strategic Measures are identified across three focus areas, namely:
A. Commit to the peaceful resolution of disputes
7.1. Support the effective implementation of relevant international laws and conventions, including the 1982 UNCLOS.
7.2. Resolve disputes by peaceful means in accordance with international law.
7.3. Exercise self-restraint by all parties in the conduct of activities that would complicate or escalate disputes and affect peace and stability including, among others, refraining from action of inhabiting on the presently uninhabited islands, reefs, shoals, cays, and other features.
7.4. Promote sharing of best practices and lessons learnt regarding maritime dispute settlement and maritime cooperation.
B. Enhance maritime security and promote maritime cooperation to comprehensively address maritime issues
7.5. Maintain and promote stability in the maritime sphere and enhance maritime cooperation in Southeast Asia, including maritime security, maritime safety, marine environmental protection, blue economy, and addressing new and emerging challenges, through relevant ASEAN-led mechanisms, in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS.
7.6. Strengthen existing maritime cooperation mechanisms including with relevant external parties, with a view to augmenting the capacity to combat illegal activities at sea.
7.7. Enhance coordination among ASEAN Sectoral Bodies and mechanisms on maritime cooperation, including through the ASEAN Maritime Forum (AMF), to comprehensively address maritime issues.
7.8. Continue the triennial publication of the ASEAN Maritime Outlook (AMO).
7.9. Expand ASEAN maritime cooperation to effectively combat transnational crimes and emerging challenges through concrete and practical activities.
7.10.Promote dialogue and cooperation among maritime law enforcement agencies such as coast guards and other relevant agencies.
7.11.Strengthen and expand capacity building activities of maritime law enforcement agencies in the region, including through the engagement with Dialogue Partners and other relevant external parties under the appropriate ASEAN-led mechanisms.
7.12.Strengthen the role of the AMF as, among others, a forum to foster maritime cooperation through constructive dialogues and consultations on maritime issues of common interest and concern.
7.13.Strengthen the role of the Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum (EAMF) as, among others, a Track 1.5 venue for ASEAN to engage its stakeholders, Dialogue Partners, and other external parties in dialogue on important maritime issues, while ensuring ASEAN Centrality.
7.14.Promote cooperative activities among parties concerned on marine environmental protection, marine scientific research and other agreed activities.
7.15.Strengthen ASEAN cooperation in enhancing maritime domain awareness and its increased impact on security, safety, economy and environment of the region.
7.16.Enhance cooperation among ASEAN Member States and with relevant external parties in ensuring safety of navigation and overflight in the region, including through workshops and seminars to share experiences and best practices.
7.17.Enhance dialogue and cooperation with relevant international organisations, such as the UN, the International Maritime Organization and the International Labour Organization to ensure the effective implementation of conventions and instruments related to maritime cooperation, including, but not limited to, safety of life at sea, the welfare of seafarers, and prevention of pollution from ships.
7.18.Maintain hotlines of communication among relevant agencies in ASEAN Member States to manage incidents and emergency situations at sea and prevent the escalation of potential conflicts.
C. Maintain and promote the South China Sea as a sea of peace, stability, prosperity and sustainable development
7.19.Intensify dialogue and consultation between ASEAN and China on matters pertaining to the South China Sea.
7.20.Enhance close consultation among ASEAN Member States on matters pertaining to the South China Sea including Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC). 7.21.Ensure the full and effective implementation of the DOC in its entirety, including the effective monitoring and assessment of its implementation. 7.22.Pursue further confidence-building and preventive diplomacy measures in the South China Sea to prevent incidents such as unplanned encounters at sea.
7.23.Maintain and promote an environment conducive to the COC negotiations, including through practical measures that could reduce tensions and risk of accidents, misunderstandings, and miscalculation.
7.24.Intensify negotiations between ASEAN and China for the early conclusion of an effective and substantive COC that is in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS, and ensure its full and effective implementation.
7.25.Undertake joint cooperative activities, measures and projects as provided for in the DOC based on consensus among parties concerned, so as to promote mutual trust and confidence.
7.26.Ensure freedom of navigation in and overflight above the South China Sea in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS.
STRATEGIC GOAL 8
A Community that pursues the implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the IndoPacific (AOIP) through concrete projects and activities.
Objective
• To sustain and further reinforce ASEAN Centrality in the evolving regional architecture through ASEAN-led mechanisms by enhancing synergy among them, as well as deepening and strengthening existing partnerships to engage in win-win cooperation, fostering strategic trust, including through the implementation of the AOIP, and bringing current partnerships to a higher level of cooperation.
Strategic Measures
In pursuing Strategic Goal 8, the following Strategic Measures are identified:
8.1. Promote and mainstream the implementation of the AOIP through concrete and practical projects and activities.
8.2. Encourage the continuation of platforms such as the ASEAN Indo-Pacific Forum for dialogue and consultation on the four areas of cooperation under the AOIP, namely maritime cooperation, connectivity, UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030, as well as economic and other possible areas of cooperation.
8.3. Encourage ASEAN external partners’ continued support for the objectives and principles of the AOIP and to undertake practical and concrete cooperation on the four priority areas of the AOIP through existing ASEAN-led mechanisms, such as but not limited to the EAS and ARF.
8.4. Leverage existing partnerships and explore cooperation with other interested parties to implement the AOIP.
STRATEGIC GOAL 9
An inclusive and cohesive Community that respects political, social, religious, cultural, ethnic diversities, which upholds the principles of democracy, rule of law and good governance, and respects fundamental freedoms, promotes and protects human rights, and promotes social justice.
Objective
• To ensure peace, dignity, security, justice and prosperity for the peoples of ASEAN through the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the participation and empowerment of women and youth in decision-making processes. Strategic Measures In pursuing Strategic Goal 9, the following Strategic Measures are identified across three focus areas, namely:
A. Promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms
9.1 Strengthen the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms to ensure the peoples of ASEAN live with dignity, in peace, harmony and prosperity.
9.2 Uphold principles of impartiality, objectivity, non-selectivity, non-discrimination, non-confrontation, and avoidance of double standards and politicisation, with due regard to people’s participation, inclusivity, and the need for accountability, in the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms for the benefit of the peoples of ASEAN.
9.3 Promote the mainstreaming of human rights across the three pillars of the ASEAN Community, through consultation among ASEAN organs, relevant ASEAN Sectoral Bodies, Entities and other relevant stakeholders with a focus on women, children, youth, the elderly, persons with disability, migrant workers as well as vulnerable and marginalised groups in the region.
9.4 Convene a regular ASEAN Human Rights Dialogue, in which a Member State chairing ASEAN may consider holding it, to serve as a form of cooperative forum for dialogue on human rights thematic issues of ASEAN Member States to share human rights progress and challenges, with a view to enhancing cooperation for the promotion and protection of human rights.
9.5 Support the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) in the discharge of its mandate, in accordance with its Terms of Reference (TOR).
B. Good governance and culture of integrity
9.6 Mainstream the principles and culture of good governance into the policies and practices of the ASEAN Community.
9.7 Promote activities and programmes to strengthen the culture of peace, inter alia, respect for diversity, promotion of tolerance and understanding of faith, religion and culture, including through conducting a series of cross-cultural religious literacy programmes, public awareness-raising, stakeholder engagement and dialogue.
9.8 Promote tolerance and moderation to bridge differences, defuse tensions, resolve disputes and counter violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations.
9.9 Enhance technical cooperation, including outreach programmes and crosscultural dialogue, with the UN and relevant regional organisations, where feasible, to exchange expertise and experiences in promoting tolerance and moderation, and in other areas of mutual interest and concern.
9.10 Intensify meaningful and constructive engagement with Entities associated with ASEAN and relevant stakeholders in an effort to contribute to the ASEAN Political-Security Community-building process.
9.11 Strengthen the implementation of domestic laws and regulations against corruption and of anti-corruption practices in both the public and private sectors within ASEAN, including through capacity-building programmes.
9.12 Promote the sharing of experiences, best practices and exchange of views on ethics, values and the culture of integrity to strengthen anti-corruption activities.
9.13 Promote ASEAN cooperation to prevent and combat corruption, among others, by utilising relevant bilateral and regional instruments such as the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation for Preventing and Combating Corruption and MLAT.
C. Empower women and youth in decision-making
9.14 Empower women and youth to enhance their capacity to contribute effectively in ASEAN Community-building efforts.
9.15 Enhance a support mechanism for ASEAN women peacekeepers through the establishment of a network of ASEAN women peacekeepers in alignment with the Women, Peace and Security Agenda.
III. INSTITUTIONAL STRENGTHENING
A Community that is anchored on ASEAN Centrality with enhanced institutional capacity and effectiveness, with ASEAN organs, bodies and mechanisms that are more decisive, responsive and timely as well as future-ready in addressing global and regional challenges, supported by a strengthened ASEAN Secretariat, with effective cross-sectoral and cross-pillar coordination, and sufficient ASEAN funding towards realising the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.
Objectives
• To invest in and improve ASEAN’s institutional capacity and effectiveness to support the agenda of ASEAN Community-building.
• To facilitate and coordinate cooperation, as well as develop innovative approaches to address cross-pillar and cross-sectoral issues.
• To support efforts in strengthening the ASEAN Secretariat and enhance its capabilities.
• To mobilise resources from internal and external sources to ensure sufficient and sustainable funding for the work of ASEAN, including ASEAN bodies, organs and mechanisms, and the ASEAN Secretariat, and to streamline work processes by reducing duplication and overlap. Strategic Measures In pursuing the goal and these objectives, the following Strategic Measures are identified across six focus areas, namely:
A. Enhance ASEAN’s institutional capacity and effectiveness
i. Continue to strengthen ASEAN’s institutional capacity and effectiveness in accordance with the ASEAN Charter, including through strengthening ASEAN’s decision-making process, organs, bodies and mechanisms; strengthening the role of ASEAN National Secretariats; and ensuring the sufficiency of resources to support the ASEAN Community-building agenda.
ii. Operationalise the Rules of Procedure to Support Decision-Making Process at the ASEAN Summit to support efficient and effective decisionmaking process in relation to (i) a serious breach of the ASEAN Charter or non-compliance; (ii) addressing emergency situations affecting ASEAN by taking appropriate action; and (iii) where consensus cannot be achieved, the ASEAN Summit may decide on how a specific decision can be made.
iii. Continue to support Timor-Leste’s capacity-building efforts to facilitate its fulfilment of the Roadmap for Timor-Leste’s Full Membership in ASEAN.
B. Strengthen the Committee of Permanent Representatives of ASEAN
i. Encourage the participation of CPR members in meetings of ASEAN Community Councils to provide overarching views as well as to help coordinate ASEAN matters, especially on cross-pillar issues.
ii. Strengthen the role of the CPR as stipulated in its TOR to coordinate the implementation of agreements and decisions of the ASEAN Summit, ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC) and ASEAN Community Councils.
iii. Support the CPR’s active role in ensuring policy coherence and coordination across ASEAN Community Pillars, ASEAN sectoral meetings, as well as ASEAN bodies, in the overall implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and its Strategic Plans.
C. Enhance the role of the Secretary-General of ASEAN and the ASEAN Secretariat in accordance with Article 11 of the ASEAN Charter
i. Enable the Secretary-General of ASEAN to provide expert advice and recommendations from the office’s vantage point covering all issues in ASEAN Community-building, as appropriate, on issues and challenges that are cross-cutting in nature, as well as lead on these issues, as mandated by and in consultation with ASEAN Member States.
ii. Strengthen the role of the Secretary-General of ASEAN in advancing public diplomacy and actively engaging the media and conducting public outreach on ASEAN-agreed positions and policies for the purposes of promoting greater awareness of the ASEAN identity and supporting ASEAN Community-building.
iii. Enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the ASEAN Secretariat in supporting the work of ASEAN, including analysis and monitoring across pillars and sectors. iv. Enhance the capacity of the ASEAN Secretariat to coordinate and followup on cooperation within ASEAN-led mechanisms as well as with external partners. v. Ensure sufficient support, including but not limited to technical, financial, human resources, to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the meetings convened at the ASEAN Secretariat.
D. Raise the sense of ownership of ASEAN among the peoples of ASEAN
i. Enhance ASEAN’s visibility, inculcate and nurture a sense of ASEAN Identity, and increase the sense of ownership among the peoples of ASEAN, including through the establishment of Centres of Excellence or other ASEAN bodies across ASEAN Member States, and allow each ASEAN Member State to have a stake in the work of ASEAN while at the same time sharing the hosting cost and responsibilities.
ii. Support ASEAN Studies Centres and ASEAN Studies Programmes in ASEAN Member States and facilitate their networking, as well as strengthen the ASEAN University Network (AUN) to enhance awareness on ASEAN Identity among the peoples of ASEAN as well as the international community.
iii. Explore engagement between ASEAN and the ASEAN Governors and Mayors Forum towards leveraging the support of local governments in promoting ASEAN awareness and identity among the peoples of ASEAN.
E. Improve coordination on cross-pillar and cross-sectoral issues
i. Further explore modalities to strengthen coordination with the ASEAN Community Councils, including enhancing the use of existing modalities of coordination, to enhance policy coherence, efficiency and cooperation among them, in accordance with Article 8 (2) (c) of the ASEAN Charter, particularly on cross-pillar and cross-sectoral issues.
ii. Enhance the role of the APSC Council and its Chair through giving greater focus to substantive and strategic issues and to coordinate effectively with cross-sectoral and cross-pillar issues under its purview.
iii. Encourage closer coordination and collaboration between ASEAN Sectoral Bodies and ASEAN-approved sub-regional cooperation frameworks to facilitate sub-regional development and to complement the comprehensive development of ASEAN.
F. Mobilise resources to ensure sufficient and sustainable funding for the work of ASEAN
i. Mobilise resources from ASEAN Member States and external sources, in terms of, but not limited to, funding, expertise and capacity-building support to implement agreed measures.
ii. Ensure transparency and accountability in the mobilisation, utilisation and management of external resources.
IV. IMPLEMENTATION AND REVIEW
8. ASEAN will ensure the full and effective implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and the APSC Strategic Plan through relevant mechanisms, effective communication to all stakeholders as well as regular monitoring, periodic review and assessment.
A. Implementation Mechanism
i. Align the agenda and priorities of APSC Sectoral Bodies and their respective sectoral work plans with the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and the APSC Strategic Plan;
ii. Implement the APSC Strategic Plan at regional and national levels;
iii. Strengthen coordination on cross-sectoral issues within the APSC and on cross-pillar issues among the three Pillars and ASEAN Connectivity by leveraging current mechanisms to coordinate cross-pillar issues as well as those that may be established as needed; and
iv. Further enhance the coordinating roles of the ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC), ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Council, ASEAN Sectoral Ministerial Bodies, Coordinating Conference for the ASEAN Political-Security Community (ASCCO), Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN (CPR) and the ASEAN Secretariat, for a seamless implementation of the APSC Strategic Plan.
B. Communication and Outreach
i. Undertake communication activities to facilitate the implementation of the APSC Strategic Plan both at the regional and national levels, including in line with the ASEAN Communication Master Plan III, with the following objectives:
• Inform the public and relevant stakeholders of the progress of implementation of the APSC Strategic Plan and promote awareness as well as better understanding on the impact of the strategic measures outlined in the APSC Strategic Plan, thereby helping them understand the direct and indirect benefits and value of politicalsecurity cooperation; and
• Cultivate support and enable relevant stakeholders to be involved in and contribute meaningfully to the implementation of the APSC Strategic Plan as well as generate feedback on its implementation.
C. Review
i. Review and evaluate the APSC Strategic Plan to ensure that the activities are responsive to the needs and priorities of ASEAN, taking into account the changing dynamics of the regional and global landscape;
ii. With the APSC Strategic Plan having a timeframe of ten (10) years, review the plan mid-way into its implementation (in 2030) and undertake an endof-term review in 2035. Periodic reviews of the Strategic Plan may also be conducted by the Coordinating Conference for ASEAN Political-Security Community (ASCCO);
iii. Updates to the APSC Strategic Plan may be proposed by ASEAN Member States as a result of the above-mentioned reviews to ensure that the plan remains adaptive and responsive to the changing regional and global dynamics, with a view to further improving the implementation of the Strategic Plan, if necessary; iv. The results of the reviews and assessments shall be reported by the Secretary-General of ASEAN to the ASEAN Summit through the APSC Council and the ACC.
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
ACC ASEAN Coordinating Council
ACCT ASEAN Convention on Counter Terrorism
ACTCs ASEAN Committees in Third Countries and International Organisations
ACTIP ASEAN Convention against Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children
ADI ASEAN Direct Communications Infrastructure
ADMM ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting
ADMM-Plus ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus
ADMM-Plus EWG ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus Experts’ Working Group
AI Artificial Intelligence
AICHR ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights
AIPA ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly
ALA ASEAN Law Association
ALAWMM ASEAN Law Ministers Meeting
AMF ASEAN Maritime Forum
AMM ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
AMMD ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Drug Matters
AMMTC ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime
AMO ASEAN Maritime Outlook
APCN ASEAN Peacekeeping Centres Network
APSC ASEAN Political-Security Community
APT ASEAN Plus Three
AOIP ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific
ARF ASEAN Regional Forum
ARMAC ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center
ASCCO Coordinating Conference for the ASEAN Political-Security Community
ASEANTOM ASEAN Network of Regulatory Bodies on Atomic Energy
ASPC ARF Security Policy Conference
AUN ASEAN University Network
BLO Border Liaison Offices
CACJ Council of ASEAN Chief Justices
CBM Confidence-building measure
COC Code of Conduct in the South China Sea
CPR Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN
DOC Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea
DOD Defence Officials’ Dialogue
EAMF Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum
EAS East Asia Summit
ERW Explosive Remnants of War
IAEA International Atomic Energy Agency
ICT Information and communication technology
INTERPOL International Criminal Police Organization
MLAT Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters
NADI Network of ASEAN Defence and Security Institutions
NWS Nuclear Weapon States PKO Peacekeeping Operation
SASOP Standard Operating Procedure for Regional Standby Arrangements and Coordination of Joint Disaster Relief and Emergency Response Operations
SEANWFZ Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone TAC Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia
TIP Trafficking in Persons
TOR Terms of Reference
UN United Nations
UNCLOS United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
WPS Agenda Women, Peace and Security Agenda
YPS Agenda Youth, Peace and Security Agenda
Download the full strategic plan here.
