Head of the Indonesian Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla), Rear Admiral Irvansyah, met with ASEAN Secretary-General, Kao Kim Hourn, on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, discussing measures to formalize the ASEAN Coast Guard Forum (ACF) as an official institutional structure within the Southeast Asian regional bloc.

Irvansyah, speaking on behalf of ACF, urged ASEAN to support the process of integrating ACF into the ASEAN institutional framework, aimed at strengthening maritime cooperation and coordination among ASEAN member states' coast guard and maritime law enforcement agencies, which will eventually enhance regional maritime security.

"The ASEAN Coast Guard Forum has made significant strides since its formation, and now it is time for it to be formally recognized within the ASEAN structure," he said during the meeting.

Since its inception in 2014, ACF has grown through several technical and leadership-level meetings. Despite ongoing finalization of essential documents like the Terms of Reference (TOR) and the Concept Paper, ACF has secured recognition in important ASEAN documents, such as the ASEAN Political-Security Community Strategic Plan 2045 and the Joint Communique from the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting since 2023. Irvansyah noted that these recognitions “reflect the growing importance and success of ACF in fostering collaboration among maritime agencies in the ASEAN region.”

He also highlighted tangible achievements of ACF in fostering regional cooperation, including routine information-sharing activities, joint operational efforts such as exercises and port visits, and capacity-building training for coast guard and maritime law enforcement agencies across ASEAN member states.

"ACF has demonstrated its value through monthly sharing of operational intelligence, joint exercises, and port visits," Irvansyah remarked. "These initiatives have laid the foundation for increased trust and operational cooperation among ASEAN maritime forces."

Looking ahead, Bakamla is planning to organize a Table-Top Exercise (TTX) in Indonesia in 2026, focusing on the development of protocols for unplanned encounters at sea. This exercise is aimed at enhancing communication and trust between member states' maritime agencies, which is vital for maintaining peace and stability in the region’s waters.

The meeting with the ASEAN Secretary-General was also pivotal in reaffirming the mandate given to Bakamla by ACF members during the 4th ACF Meeting in Pattaya, Thailand, in June 2025. As part of this mandate, Bakamla was tasked with representing the forum in communications with the ASEAN Secretariat.

“The formalization of ACF will further strengthen ASEAN’s approach to maritime law enforcement and ensure that ASEAN countries can act cohesively to address regional maritime challenges,” Irvansyah concluded. "We are optimistic that with continued support from ASEAN, ACF will become a cornerstone of maritime cooperation in Southeast Asia."