Foreign Minister Sugiono reaffirmed ASEAN’s commitment to maintaining Southeast Asia as a nuclear weapon-free zone amid growing global nuclear risks in his address to the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Commission Meeting, during the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meetings and Post-Ministerial Conferences (AMM/PMC) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

“We are facing a deeply alarming global disarmament landscape where arms control is stagnating; nuclear arsenals are expanding in both number and destructive capacity; and Nuclear Weapon States are retreating from their Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) commitments,” Sugiono said on Tuesday, July 8, 2025.

He condemned attacks on Iran’s IAEA-monitored nuclear facilities, calling them violations of international law and threats to global stability.

“Such actions, regardless of justification, violate international law and undermine the foundational principles of the NPT and IAEA,” he added.

Sugiono emphasized that in light of these developments, ASEAN must stand united to uphold its vision of a region free from nuclear weapons.

“ASEAN must stand firm and keep pushing forward our vision: of a Southeast Asia that is free of nuclear weapons. We must intensify efforts to fully implement the SEANWFZ Treaty and engage the Nuclear Weapon States to sign the Protocol without reservations,” he said.

Welcoming China’s declared readiness to accede to the SEANWFZ Protocol without reservations, Sugiono stressed the urgency of resolving outstanding technical issues.

“Finalizing the necessary documents and resolving pending issues on the draft MoU with China should be our immediate priority. A time-bound plan would provide a clear work plan and ensure that this issue is not dragging ASEAN further,” he said. “China's accession will not only be a landmark for this Treaty, but it will also set a positive example for other NWS and build much-needed momentum.”

Indonesia also urged stronger collaboration between SEANWFZ and other nuclear-weapon-free zones such as OPANAL, aiming to amplify the collective voice for global disarmament.

Regarding Timor-Leste, Sugiono praised the ASEAN Chair’s leadership and reaffirmed Indonesia’s full support for its accession to the treaty.

“Timor-Leste’s accession will strengthen both the geographic scope and political weight of the Treaty. We look forward to its signing at the 47th ASEAN Summit this October,” he said.

Sugiono stressed that the SEANWFZ Treaty remains a vital instrument for regional peace.

“Amid the bleak reality of nuclear threats, the SEANWFZ Treaty remains our instrument to preserve peace and security in our part of the world. Let us strengthen our collective resolve for a region free from nuclear weapons.” he said.

During the SEANWFZ Commission meeting, ASEAN foreign ministers agreed to:

• Encourage the signing and ratification of the SEANWFZ Protocol by Nuclear Weapon States,
• Support Timor-Leste’s accession by October 2025, and
• Propose a biennial resolution on the SEANWFZ Treaty at the 80th UN General Assembly session.