ASEAN Leaders Pledge Security and Stability in Regional Waters in Line with UNCLOS

RRI.CO.ID, Cebu – ASEAN leaders agreed on the ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on Maritime Cooperation during the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, the Philippines, on Thursday, aimed at strengthening regional maritime cooperation amid geopolitical and global security challenges. The declaration reaffirmed ASEAN countries’ commitment to maintaining peace, stability, security, and freedom of navigation in the region in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

“All ASEAN Member States are now Parties to the 1982 UNCLOS, reflecting ASEAN’s shared commitment to upholding international law, in particular the 1982 UNCLOS, and strengthening maritime cooperation to enhance peace, security and prosperity in the region,” the joint statement said.

In the declaration document quoted on Saturday, May 9, 2026, ASEAN emphasized the importance of cooperation in various maritime sectors, including maritime security, navigation safety, marine environmental protection, tackling illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUUF), blue economy initiatives, and the protection of underwater infrastructure such as submarine cables and pipelines. ASEAN also highlighted the importance of maintaining the stability of global energy supply chains and maritime trade routes, including strengthening regional connectivity and logistics resilience.

“Strengthening maritime cooperation in areas such as defence and maritime law enforcement; security and safety of navigation; maritime transport connectivity, including maintaining the safety of maritime trade routes, port development and sustainable shipping,” the statement said.

In addition, ASEAN leaders reaffirmed the importance of the full implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and encouraged the acceleration of negotiations on an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) in accordance with international law.

The declaration also supported stronger cooperation in search and rescue (SAR), maritime domain awareness, information sharing, and capacity building through ASEAN forums and external partners. ASEAN further stressed the importance of marine environmental protection, addressing marine plastic debris, conserving marine ecosystems, and enhancing the resilience of coastal communities against the impacts of climate change and rising sea levels.

In the declaration, ASEAN supported the planned establishment of the ASEAN Maritime Centre in the Philippines to strengthen coordination and cross-sectoral cooperation on regional maritime issues. The declaration was adopted under the Philippines’ chairmanship with the theme “Navigating Our Future, Together” at the 48th ASEAN Summit held in Cebu on May 8, 2026.