Prabowo Calls for ASEAN Unity During Summit in Philippines

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TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto calls for Southeast Asia's regional bloc ASEAN to become an anchor of regional stability amid the increasing global geopolitical dynamics. According to the Head of State, this can be achieved through strengthening solidarity and cooperation among countries.

Prabowo says this during the plenary session of the 48th ASEAN Summit held at the Mactan Expo, Cebu, the Philippines. "We must give the example, we must be really committed to have solid ASEAN and ASEAN that maintains peace, maintains stability, that values dialogue and collaboration," says Prabowo on Friday, May 8, 2026, as quoted from the Presidential Secretariat's statement.

Prabowo believes that conflict and geopolitical rivalry will only bring negative impact to the people and hinder the development of the region. Therefore, the Chair of the Gerindra Party stresses that ASEAN must continue to emphasize dialogue and cooperation as the main foundation of inter-country relations.

"We must not allow rivalries. We must not allow our past to determine our present and our future. Indonesia is determined to forge a policy of good neighborliness," says Prabowo.

The President also warns that Southeast Asian countries must maintain independence and not be influenced by global geopolitical rivalries that could divide the unity of the region.

"Once again, we must not be carried out and we must not be influenced by the currents of present geopolitical rivalries and ego," Prabowo says.

Prabowo invites all ASEAN member countries to strengthen the culture of peace and regional cooperation. According to him, ASEAN needs to be an example of a stable, harmonious region that upholds world peace.

"At a time of deepening divides, ASEAN’s culture of peace must not only be preserved, but we must advance it to be a global example. ASEAN must continue to lead, shape its environment, secure its future. We must truly be the zone of peace," the President says.

Prior to this plenary session, Prabowo Subianto attended the opening ceremony of the 48th ASEAN Summit. Prabowo arrived at the Mactan Expo at around 09:04 a.m. local time (WS) and went straight to the foyer.

Upon arrival, Prabowo was greeted directly by Philippine President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Romualdez Marcos Jr. and his wife, Marie Louise Cacho Araneta Marcos. After, President Prabowo, along with other Southeast Asian leaders, headed to Halls 2 and 3 for the opening ceremony.

In his opening address, President Marcos Jr. emphasized the importance of the collective commitment of ASEAN countries to continue maintaining dialogue, cooperation, and mutual respect amidst an increasingly complex global dynamic.

Bongbong stated that the presence of the leaders of Southeast Asian countries at the conference reflects the collective spirit of the region.

Additionally, he asserted that the challenges faced by the region at present should be a momentum to strengthen unity and enhance cooperation among ASEAN countries. "If there is one lesson ASEAN has learned over the decades, it is that difficult times do not divide us," Bongbong said in his address.

Read: Prabowo Attends Opening Ceremony for ASEAN Summit in Cebu

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