ASEAN-UK issued joint ministerial statement on cooperation on the ASEAN outlook on the Indo-Pacific
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On 22 July 2026, the Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United Kingdom (UK) gave joint statement at the ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference in Manila to reaffirm and advance their partnership under the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP).
This statement marks the 5th anniversary of the ASEAN-UK Dialogue Partnership, highlighting their commitment to peace, stability, prosperity, and multilateralism in the Indo-Pacific region.
Upholding international law and ASEAN centrality
The statement emphasises respect for independence, sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity, and the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Both ASEAN and the UK reaffirm their dedication to a rules-based regional architecture that is open, inclusive, transparent, resilient, and centred on ASEAN’s leadership.
The parties reaffirm their commitment to the ASEAN Charter, the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), and the principles enshrined therein, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the TAC.
They recognise the interconnectedness of security and prosperity between ASEAN and the UK, underscoring the importance of resilient and sustainable mutual growth.
Shared principles and strategic objectives
The AOIP serves as a guiding framework for ASEAN’s engagement across the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean regions.
The statement stresses the importance of the ASEAN-UK partnership in implementing the AOIP’s objectives to promote peace, stability, and prosperity.
Both parties commit to practical cooperation in the AOIP’s four priority areas through ASEAN-led mechanisms.
The UK’s Indo-Pacific approach in its 2025 National Security Strategy supports the AOIP’s principles of openness, inclusiveness, transparency, and international law. It also reinforces the UK’s commitment to ASEAN Community-building, specifically the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.
ASEAN-UK Plan of Action (2027-2031)
The joint statement commends the adoption of the ASEAN-UK Plan of Action (2027-2031), which will guide cooperation efforts to realise AOIP objectives and reinforce ASEAN Centrality.
The UK’s application for participation in the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) is welcomed as a significant step to deepen dialogue and cooperation. The statement outlines commitments.
Support AOIP implementation. Increase cooperation in priority areas to maintain peace, stability, and prosperity, reinforcing multilateralism.
Fulfil ASEAN-UK Plan of Action commitments. Deepen cooperation to support a peaceful and secure region based on a rules-based architecture.
Support ASEAN community vision 2045. Back strategic plans and initiatives including the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Work Plan V (2026-2030).
Expand cooperation beyond the region. Address global challenges to promote peace and mutual prosperity, leveraging ASEAN’s growing influence.
Welcome the UK’s ARF participation. Recognise the UK’s role as a Dialogue Partner and Permanent UN Security Council member to enhance regional cooperation.
Encourage SEANWFZ protocol discussions: Promote dialogue on the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone to contribute to regional peace and security.
Commit to substantive cooperation: Undertake tangible projects under AOIP’s four priority areas: maritime cooperation, connectivity, UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030, and economic cooperation.
Maritime security and regional stability
The partnership places significant emphasis on upholding international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), with specific focus on sovereignty, maritime safety, security, and peaceful dispute resolution.
Both parties support freedom of navigation and overflight, which remain essential to global trade and economic stability. The framework promotes ASEAN Centrality and unity as fundamental to maritime peace and stability across the region.
Enhanced cooperation will proceed through ASEAN-led mechanisms, including the ADMM-Plus Experts’ Working Groups and the Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum.
Priority areas include maritime security threats, search and rescue operations, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, protection of migrant fishers, safety of navigation, maritime domain awareness, marine resource management, and environmental conservation.
The agreement reaffirms the importance of UNCLOS as the legal framework governing ocean activities.
Connectivity and infrastructure development
The partnership supports the ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan (2026–2035) as a driver of economic growth and regional stability. Implementation will proceed based on commitments established in the 2024 ASEAN-UK Joint Ministerial Statement on Connectivity.
Both parties support the conclusion of the ASEAN-UK Air Services Agreement, which will strengthen people-to-people and economic ties across the region.
Efforts will accelerate regional interconnectivity, including cross-border power trade and clean energy transition aligned with ASEAN’s Plan of Action on Energy Cooperation (APAEC) 2026-2030.
People-to-people connectivity will advance through UK scholarship schemes, education initiatives, and youth engagement programmes. The framework strengthens cultural exchange and cooperation in arts, heritage, and creative industries.
Enhanced cooperation on combating transnational crimes addresses fraud, money laundering, trafficking, and cyber-enabled threats. Both parties recognise the importance of addressing misinformation and disinformation challenges to promote a transparent and inclusive Indo-Pacific.
UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030
The partnership promotes complementarities between ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Both parties reaffirm their commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals as central to resilient, inclusive, and sustainable growth across the region.
Advancement of SDG delivery will proceed through partnerships focusing on financing, health, education, clean energy, climate action, and economic growth. Specific support areas include pandemic preparedness, gender equality, foundational learning, green finance, sustainable cities, and regulatory reform.
Economic cooperation and trade integration
The partnership supports the new Economic Work Plan set for 2026, which will focus on integration, resilience, trade, and investment.
Both parties emphasise the importance of a predictable, open, fair, and rules-based multilateral trading system with a revitalised World Trade Organization at its centre.
Enhanced cooperation on geoeconomic issues will support ASEAN’s capacity to respond to global uncertainties and economic challenges.
Mutual prosperity will advance through private sector engagement and knowledge sharing in supply chain resilience, digital innovation, sustainable growth, and financial services.
The framework promotes regulatory reform, trade facilitation, intellectual property protection, and digital economy alignment across member states.
Strengthening financial services connectivity, digitising customs, and collaborating on emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence are top priorities for both parties.
The partnership supports narrowing development gaps and advancing regional integration through sub-regional cooperation and established frameworks.
Both parties encourage cooperation in other relevant areas aligned with the principles of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific.