KBRN, Jakarta: Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has urged ASEAN member states to remain united in the face of growing global instability and geopolitical fragmentation.

Speaking at the retreat session of the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Sunday, October 26, 2025, President Prabowo emphasized that regional solidarity and ASEAN centrality are essential to safeguarding peace, stability, and autonomy in Southeast Asia.

“The world is increasingly divided. Competition is intensifying. Trust is eroding. And the global order is losing its balance. In such an environment, ASEAN must stay united," the President said in a statement released in Jakarta on Monday, as quoted by antaranews.com.

"Unity and centrality are not just buzzwords—without them, we risk being torn apart by larger powers,” he added.

President Prabowo stressed that ASEAN’s strength lies not in confrontation but in its ability to foster constructive and inclusive engagement. He said the bloc has historically overcome challenges through dialogue, patience, and mutual respect.

“This is the ASEAN way, guided by dialogue, patience, and respect. It is through this approach that we have weathered past challenges, and it is with the same spirit that we must continue moving forward,” he affirmed.

On maritime security, President Prabowo highlighted the importance of a unified ASEAN voice in upholding international maritime law. He called on member states to reinforce their commitment to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and to work toward an early conclusion of an effective and substantive code of conduct next year.

In closing, President Prabowo reiterated his call for strengthened regional solidarity, asserting that ASEAN unity is not merely a slogan but a pathway to a peaceful and prosperous future.

“If we are divided, we lose credibility. If we are united, we cannot be ignored. Indonesia is ready to walk this path together, for peace, for prosperity, and for our people,” he concluded. ***