Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi emphasized the importance of maintaining Southeast Asia as a nuclear-free zone during the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Commission meeting.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM), which commenced on July 11.
During the meeting, Minister Marsudi highlighted the heightened risk associated with the use of nuclear weapons. She underscored that Southeast Asia cannot be considered a nuclear-free zone as long as certain countries possess nuclear arsenals.
Previously, Indonesia expressed concerns regarding Australia’s decision to acquire five nuclear submarines from the U.S. in March, as part of the AUKUS (Australia, the U.K., and the U.S.) security pact aimed at countering China’s influence in the Asia-Pacific region.
In a previous official statement, Minister Marsudi urged Australia to adhere to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) guidelines.
In today’s meeting, Minister Marsudi, who formerly served as Indonesia’s ambassador to the Netherlands, called for nuclear-armed countries to sign the SEANWFZ Treaty Protocol. The protocol came into effect in 1997 after ASEAN member states signed it in 1995.
She emphasized that the SEANWFZ Treaty has played a significant role in nuclear non-proliferation efforts. However, nuclear-armed nations have not signed the SEANWFZ Treaty in the past 25 years.
Last year, the SEANWFZ Commission agreed to explore options for nuclear-armed countries to sign the SEANWFZ Treaty Protocol, provided they demonstrate a commitment to the protocol.
“Therefore, we must unite to create a path towards a nuclear-free zone,” stated Minister Marsudi.
During the meeting, foreign ministers from ASEAN countries expressed their political will to encourage nuclear-armed states to accede to the SEANWFZ Treaty Protocol. Additionally, the meeting addressed the implementation of the SEANWFZ Treaty Protocol action plan review. The ministers agreed to establish a working group to delve into the matter further. The meeting successfully adopted a Concept Note on the Possible Joint Initiatives of OPANAL (Agency for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean) and ASEAN in 2023.
This concept note underscores the strong collaboration between ASEAN and OPANAL, established in 1968 with the aim of establishing nuclear-free zones in Latin America and the Caribbean. It aims to address challenges related to nuclear disarmament, proliferation, and the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
