RRI.CO.ID, Manila – Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono called for the ASEAN-United Kingdom partnership to deliver more tangible benefits to the public, particularly through stronger cooperation in combating online scams, advancing an inclusive energy transition, and developing human resources.

"Scam networks may operate from our region, but the proceeds of these crimes move across borders through the global financial system. Those financial flows can be traced," Sugiono said during the ASEAN-United Kingdom Post-Ministerial Conference in Manila, the Philippines, on Wednesday, July 22, 2026.

Sugiono highlighted that online scams have caused losses of US$23.6 billion across Southeast Asia in a single year. According to him, addressing this challenge requires closer cooperation between ASEAN and the United Kingdom. He said Indonesia is encouraging the use of the UK's expertise in financial intelligence and law enforcement to strengthen ASEAN's capacity to prevent crime, identify criminal networks, protect victims, and trace the proceeds of online fraud.

"This is what meaningful partnership looks like. Cooperation must deliver tangible benefits to our people," he said.

Beyond combating cybercrime, Sugiono stressed that a people-centered approach should also guide ASEAN-UK cooperation on the energy transition. Indonesia welcomed the establishment of the ASEAN-UK Green Transition Fund and encouraged its implementation to reach those who need it most, including communities in remote areas.

"When the energy transition reaches everyone, its benefits extend beyond clean energy to shared prosperity," Sugiono said.

He also welcomed the contribution of the ASEAN-UK Chevening Scholarships in preparing the next generation to further strengthen the ASEAN-UK partnership.

During the meeting, Sugiono emphasized that a people-centered partnership must also be reflected in the international response to the situation in Palestine. He said Indonesia welcomed the United Kingdom's recognition of the State of Palestine as a decision of significant importance. As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), the UK has a special responsibility to help advance a just and lasting peace.

"Consistency is the measure of credibility. The ASEAN-UK partnership can serve as an example that our region is a space for collaboration, not an arena for rivalry," Sugiono said.

The ASEAN-UK meeting adopted the Plan of Action to Implement the ASEAN–United Kingdom Dialogue Partnership 2027–2031 and the ASEAN-UK Joint Ministerial Statement on Cooperation on the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific: Advancing Together. The two documents will serve as the framework for strengthening ASEAN-UK cooperation in peace and security, combating transnational crime, green transition, connectivity, and human resource development.