In a significant move to bolster regional humanitarian efforts, the Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC), H.E. Robert Matheus Michael Tene, held high-level talks with the Head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Regional Delegation for Indonesia and Timor-Leste, Vincent Cassard, earlier this week.
The meeting, which took place at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta, focused on enhancing collaboration in addressing pressing humanitarian challenges across Southeast Asia.
Discussions centred on fortifying the existing partnership between ASEAN and the ICRC, particularly in areas of mutual concern such as disaster management, the protection of civilians in conflict situations, and the promotion of international humanitarian law.
Both parties underscored the critical importance of integrating humanitarian principles into the region’s security architecture. This dialogue is seen as a continuation of ASEAN’s commitment to building a resilient and people-centred community, as outlined in the ASEAN Vision 2045 framework.
H.E. Robert Matheus Michael Tene reaffirmed ASEAN’s dedication to these goals, stating, “Our continued partnership with the ICRC is vital in addressing complex humanitarian issues and ensuring the safety and dignity of all people in the region.”
The Deputy Secretary-General highlighted how such cooperation directly supports the implementation of the APSC’s blueprint, which aims to foster a peaceful and secure Southeast Asia.
On his part, Vincent Cassard expressed the ICRC’s appreciation for the longstanding relationship with ASEAN. “We value this strategic dialogue, which allows us to align our humanitarian operations with ASEAN’s priorities and to respond more effectively to the needs of vulnerable populations,” Cassard remarked.
He further emphasised the necessity of upholding international humanitarian law amidst evolving security dynamics, a point of increasing relevance given regional and global tensions.
The meeting also provided an opportunity to review ongoing joint initiatives, including capacity-building programmes for ASEAN member states on disaster response and the dissemination of international humanitarian law.
This collaboration is especially pertinent in the context of climate-related disasters and protracted conflicts that affect parts of the region, requiring a coordinated and principled response from both political and humanitarian actors.
This high-level engagement occurs against the backdrop of a busy diplomatic period for ASEAN, which is preparing to host the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Humanitarian cooperation and regional stability are expected to be key agenda items during those discussions, making the outcomes of this Jakarta meeting a potential contributor to the wider summit dialogue.
The reinforced ASEAN-ICRC partnership signals a shared commitment to mitigating human suffering and promoting stability, demonstrating how regional organisations and humanitarian agencies can work in concert to tackle some of Southeast Asia’s most pressing challenges.
Sources: ASEAN Secretariat, The Jakarta Post, The Star
