THE foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) have signaled openness to adopt a document that would facilitate coast guard-to-coast guard and maritime cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The Philippines made the proposal to adopt the Asean Declaration on Maritime Cooperation in the upcoming 48th Asean Leaders’ Summit in May.
The Asean chairman, in a press statement issued after the Asean Foreign Ministers’ Retreat held in Cebu City on Jan. 29, said the foreign ministers present at the retreat “welcomed” the move.
“We welcomed the Philippines’ proposal to adopt an Asean Declaration on Maritime Cooperation at the 48th Asean Summit, which will identify specific maritime cooperation initiatives,” the statement read.
In a text message to the Philippine News Agency on Saturday, Foreign Affairs spokesman for Asean Dax Imperial said Manila is specifically hoping to “get consensus on a framework on coast guard cooperation and an Asean center on maritime.”
The official did not provide further details, adding that the initiatives to be included in the document would still have to be negotiated among the Asean member states.
Beyond pushing for practical cooperation at sea, the Philippines as the 2026 Asean chairman is steering the bloc and Beijing to fast-track a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.
The proposal for an Asean Declaration on Maritime Cooperation comes as the Philippines and the rest of Asean member states raise concerns over tensions in the South China Sea.
