ASEAN reaffirms commitment to peace and cooperation at the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation
The Foreign Ministers of ASEAN issued a joint statement in Manila to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), reaffirming its role as a foundational framework for peace, stability, and cooperation in the region. The commemoration highlighted ASEAN’s continued commitment to the Treaty’s principles amid evolving regional and global dynamics.
The statement was issued on the margins of ASEAN-related meetings in Manila and coincided with activities marking five decades since the TAC was signed on 24 February 1976 in Bali, Indonesia, during the first ASEAN Summit. The commemoration formed part of ASEAN’s broader outreach to reaffirm shared norms guiding inter-state relations in Southeast Asia.
The ASEAN Foreign Ministers reaffirmed the enduring relevance of the TAC as a cornerstone of regional peace and stability, noting that its principles align with the United Nations Charter, the ASEAN Charter, the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone, and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. They underscored commitments to mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-interference, peaceful settlement of disputes, renunciation of the threat or use of force, and effective cooperation.
The Ministers also noted the growing relevance of the Treaty, which has expanded from five original signatories to 58 High Contracting Parties to date, reflecting broad international confidence in the TAC as a framework for peaceful relations and cooperation. They called on all High Contracting Parties to reaffirm their obligations under the Treaty and to promote greater awareness and adherence to its principles.
In parallel with the commemoration, the Philippines, as ASEAN Chair for 2026, unveiled the commemorative logo marking the Treaty’s 50th anniversary. The logo, introduced by Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, features the Sampaguita, the national flower of the Philippines, symbolising friendship, humility, and shared commitment to peace and dialogue. The design incorporates the ASEAN emblem with 11 rice stalks, reflecting ASEAN Centrality and unity, as well as five petals representing the Treaty’s core principles and the global reach of its High Contracting Parties.
The Foreign Ministers encouraged High Contracting Parties to build on the momentum of the anniversary to deepen engagement with ASEAN in ways that are ASEAN-driven, strategic, and mutually beneficial. They also welcomed the growing interest of countries and regional organisations in acceding to the TAC, emphasising that such accession reflects a commitment to ASEAN-led cooperation and regional stability.
Anticipation of the main commemorative activity to be hosted by the Philippines on 24 July 2026 in Manila, on the sidelines of the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, as ASEAN continues to advance a resilient, inclusive, and people-centred regional architecture in line with the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.
Source: Republic of the Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs
