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UK reaffirms commitment to deepening cooperation with ASEAN

Amid growing geopolitical uncertainties, partnerships based on respect and shared interests are increasingly important, a British official said, reaffirming the UK’s support for ASEAN centrality and its desire to expand practical and long-term cooperation.

The UK's Minister for the Indo-Pacific Seema Malhotra speaks to the media at a panel discussion on women, peace and security (WPS). (Photo: VNA)
The UK's Minister for the Indo-Pacific Seema Malhotra speaks to the media at a panel discussion on women, peace and security (WPS). (Photo: VNA)

Jakarta (VNA) – The UK on February 25 reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening its Dialogue Partnership with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and advancing the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda in the region.

Speaking at an event marking the fifth anniversary of the UK’s Dialogue Partnership with ASEAN at the Wisma Habibie & Ainun historical landmark in Jakarta, the UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific Seema Malhotra said the milestone reflects mutual trust and a shared commitment to a stable and prosperous region.

Amid growing geopolitical uncertainties, partnerships based on respect and shared interests are increasingly important, she said, reaffirming the UK’s support for ASEAN centrality and its desire to expand practical and long-term cooperation.

Economic ties remain a key pillar, with bilateral trade reaching about 58 billion GBP (78.3 billion USD). Both sides are promoting economic integration and standards development to support sustainable growth. Cooperation is also expanding in clean energy transition, education – particularly STEM, and the One Health approach to strengthen crisis response.

A WPS panel discussion held during the event brought together ASEAN officials, diplomats and regional scholars to review 25 years of implementation and discuss future cooperation directions.

UK Ambassador to ASEAN Helen Fazey highlighted WPS as a priority area in ASEAN – UK relations, noting that over the past five years, the partnership has expanded across economic, climate, health and educational cooperation while also advancing gender equality and women’s role in peace and security.

ASEAN Deputy Secretary-General for the Political-Security Community Dato’ Astanah Abdul Aziz reaffirmed the bloc’s commitment to WPS as a strategic priority, stressing the need to integrate gender perspectives across all three ASEAN Community pillars to enhance resilience, inclusive development and ASEAN centrality.

The event also provided an opportunity for both sides to exchange views on the ASEAN – UK Plan of Action towards 2030, aimed at building a comprehensive and sustainable partnership that contributes to regional peace and stability./.

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