Manila, May 11 (AseanAll) — Paraguayan President Santiago Peña Palacios on May 11, 2026 announced Paraguay’s intention to accede to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) in Southeast Asia, reaffirming its commitment to peace, regional cooperation, and multilateralism.
The Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia promotes peaceful relations, mutual respect, and friendly cooperation among States in Southeast Asia.
“This decision reflects our firm determination to integrate into the regional dialogue and cooperation mechanisms in line with the principles of peace, respect for sovereignty, and the peaceful settlement of disputes that have historically guided Paraguay’s foreign policy,” President Peña said during a joint press conference with Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. during his Official Visit to Malacañang.
Peña said he formally conveyed to the Philippine government in its capacity as Chair of Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) 2026, Paraguay’s intention to accede to the TAC.
The Paraguayan leader added that its proposed accession to the TAC is not a symbolic act, saying it is “a strategic declaration that positions Paraguay as an actor committed to stability and multilateralism in the Indo-Pacific.”
The TAC, established in 1976, has been amended three times, in 1987, 1998, and 2010 to allow for accession by states outside Southeast Asia, as well as regional organizations composed of sovereign states, among others. As of October 2025, the TAC has 58 High Contracting Parties.
