Senior officials convene in Jakarta to enhance maritime cooperation and regional stability.
JAKARTA, Indonesia — Senior officials from ASEAN member states and China convened on 21 February 2025 at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta for the 23rd ASEAN-China Senior Officials’ Meeting on the Implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (SOM-DOC). The Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for the ASEAN Political-Security Community was also in attendance.
The meeting focused on reviewing the implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and advancing negotiations for the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea. This session marks the first in a series of SOM-DOC meetings scheduled for the year, aiming to finalise the COC ahead of the Post-Ministerial Conference Session with China in July.
Participants engaged in constructive dialogue, emphasising the importance of maintaining peace, stability, and maritime security in the region. The collaborative efforts reflect a mutual commitment to fostering harmonious diplomatic relations and ensuring the South China Sea remains a sea of peace, friendship, and cooperation.
The ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta served as the venue for this pivotal meeting, underscoring Indonesia’s role in facilitating regional cooperation. The outcomes of this session are expected to contribute significantly to the ongoing efforts to establish a comprehensive and effective COC, reinforcing the rules-based framework governing the South China Sea.
Source: ASEAN
