ASEAN reaffirms the goal of building a nuclear-weapon-free Southeast Asia, promoting regional cooperation on human rights

On the morning of July 11, in Jakarta, Indonesia, the first activities of ASEAN Foreign Ministers within the framework of AMM-56 took place.

Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son led the Vietnamese delegation to attend the Conference of the Commission of the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (SEANWFZ) and the dialogue session with the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR).

The SEANWFZ Treaty Commission heard the ASEAN Secretary-General report on the implementation of the SEANWFZ Action Plan for the 2023-2027 period, welcomed the results achieved in promoting nuclear security and safety as well as in ASEAN cooperation with partners, and agreed to continue seeking solutions for nuclear-weapon states to join the Treaty.

In particular, in the context of witnessing many fluctuations and challenges, including the risk of nuclear conflict, the Ministers reaffirmed the political will of the countries participating in the Treaty to maintain the goals of SEANWFZ, consultation and dialogue for a Southeast Asia free of nuclear weapons.

AMM-56: ASEAN tái khẳng định mục tiêu xây dựng Đông Nam Á không có vũ khí hạt nhân, đẩy mạnh hợp tác khu vực về quyền con người

Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son led the Vietnamese delegation to the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone Treaty Commission (SEANWFZ) meeting. (Photo: Tuan Anh)

The Ministers adopted the Concept Paper on Joint Cooperation Initiatives between ASEAN and the Agency for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (OPANAL), which contributes to enhancing the value of the SEANWFZ Treaty and contributing to joint efforts against nuclear proliferation and disarmament.

Sharing the importance of SEANWFZ, Minister Bui Thanh Son emphasized the need to enhance the value and position of the Treaty in the current complex and potentially risky context, affirming Vietnam's commitment and determination to effectively implement the Treaty's Action Plan and agreeing with ASEAN to continue to promote nuclear-weapon states to join the SEANWFZ Protocol.

Delegates attend the dialogue session with the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR). (Photo: Tuan Anh)

* Also on the morning of July 11, the Ministers had a dialogue session with the AICHR Commission. With 15 activities over the past year, the AICHR Commission has promoted cooperation on human rights, achieving concrete results in many areas such as the rights of persons with disabilities, children's rights, climate change, environmental rights, etc.

Through consultation, policy support for specialized agencies and field trips, AICHR has the opportunity to exchange and listen to the opinions and concerns of many groups and genders, contributing practically to bringing the ASEAN Community closer to the people and better meeting their needs.

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