Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi attended the SEANWFZ Commission meeting in Vientiane, Laos, on July 24, 2024. (Photo Courtesy of Foreign Affairs Ministry)
In a recent gathering in Vientiane, Laos, Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi expressed concern over the slow progress in persuading nuclear-possessing countries to commit to keeping Southeast Asia free of nuclear weapons. The SEANWFZ pact, a significant topic of discussion among ASEAN members, aims to ensure a peaceful, nuclear-free Southeast Asian region.
The SEANWFZ treaty, established in 1995, seeks legally binding commitments from the five nuclear-weapon states—China, France, Russia, the UK, and the US—to neither use nor threaten to use nuclear weapons in the region. Despite the treaty’s long-standing existence, none of these nuclear states have signed the protocol, a point highlighted by Retno Marsudi during the recent discussions.
“There has not been any significant progress from the nuclear-weapon states regarding the SEANWFZ protocol,” Retno stated in a press release on Wednesday evening.
Indonesia suggests that ASEAN should engage experts, including legal specialists from each member country, to provide input and develop a clear, measurable timeline for the next SEANWFZ Commission meeting. This proposal underscores the urgency of accelerating the commitment process among nuclear-weapon states.
China has shown the most promise among the five nuclear-weapon states. Last year, Malaysia’s then-Foreign Affairs Minister Zambry Abdul Kadir indicated that China had pledged to sign the protocol “unconditionally.” This statement, made during an ASEAN foreign ministerial meeting in Jakarta, was echoed by Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn, who mentioned China’s “strong desire” to sign the SEANWFZ protocol. However, despite these assurances, China has yet to fulfill its promise.
Indonesia’s call to action reflects a broader concern within ASEAN about the region’s safety and security. By involving experts and setting clear deadlines, ASEAN aims to push nuclear-weapon states toward a firm commitment to a nuclear-free Southeast Asia. The slow progress thus far highlights the challenges in achieving this goal, but the involvement of legal experts and a structured timeline could provide the necessary impetus for progress.
As ASEAN continues its efforts to establish a nuclear-free zone, the participation and commitment of nuclear-weapon states remain crucial. Indonesia’s proactive approach in suggesting expert involvement marks a strategic move to break the deadlock and move closer to realizing a peaceful, nuclear-free Southeast Asia.
