Prabowo Urges ASEAN to Stand Together, All Members Must Support Candidates for the UN

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto called for the strengthening of unity and centrality within ASEAN to tackle various regional challenges and global dynamics.

He made this statement during an intervention at the plenary session of the 49th ASEAN Summit in Manila, Philippines, on Sunday (15/11/2026).

Prabowo stressed that ASEAN's unity must translate into concrete actions, including strengthening the collective influence of its member states in multilateral institutions and international decision-making processes.

"Our unity must also be reflected in a greater influence in shaping multilateral institutions and global decisions. ASEAN must collaborate," Prabowo stated in a press release from the Presidential Secretariat on Sunday.

"If one ASEAN member state becomes a candidate for a position in the United Nations (PBB) or its affiliated organizations, all ASEAN members must support that candidate. I believe this is very important as it demonstrates that ASEAN is a cohesive regional power," he added.

Prabowo also recalled the spirit of ASEAN's founders, who chose cooperation over division and collaboration over conflict.

He noted that relations among neighboring countries cannot be separated from various common challenges.

"They chose cooperation over division and collaboration over conflict," said Prabowo, emphasizing the historic choices made by ASEAN's founders.

In closing his intervention, Prabowo urged all ASEAN leaders to continue strengthening solidarity and achieving tangible results from regional cooperation.

He also called for collective courage to guide ASEAN toward stronger, more productive, and outcome-oriented collaboration.

"Let us be brave in building strength to achieve greater results together and committed to achieving better outcomes collectively," he said.