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STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS BY AMBASSADOR BURHAN GAFOOR, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON AGENDA ITEM 84, THE RULE OF LAW AT THE NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL LEVELS, 7 OCTOBER 2026

7 October 2026

A concise summary of the main points regarding this article.

 Thank you, Madam Chair,

1.           I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the eleven Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN): Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Viet Nam.

2.           We in ASEAN reaffirm our unwavering commitment to upholding multilateralism, as well as the rule of law and the rules-based international order in responding to increasingly complex global challenges.

3.           ASEAN thanks the Secretary-General for his report on “Strengthening and coordinating United Nations rule of law activities” (A/81/184). The report highlights the work of the UN in strengthening and coordinating rule of law activities at national and international levels, as well as the UN’s support to its Member States in promoting rule of law activities globally. The report underscores that the rule of law lies at the heart of the international legal order, and is central to the three pillars of the UN, namely international peace and security, human rights and sustainable development. ASEAN shares the Secretary-General’s observation that respecting the rule of law is not a mere aspiration of the UN Charter, but a commitment embedded in its purposes, principles and provisions.

Madam Chair,

4.           Today, the rule of law among nations is being tested on almost all fronts. It has never been more urgent to uphold it. For ASEAN, the rule of law is embedded in our very foundations. ASEAN has embraced and continues to promote the rule of law in all its aspects. We affirm our commitment to peace and security, good governance, and the promotion and protection of human rights, enshrined as fundamental principles and purposes of the ASEAN Charter.

Madam Chair,

5.       As a rules-based inter-governmental organisation, ASEAN has long been committed to stability and security in the region. Important treaties, declarations and instruments have paved the way for our success, including ASEAN’s founding document, and I’ll identify a few of them, namely the ASEAN Declaration, also known as the Bangkok Declaration of 1967, the ASEAN Charter, which entered into force in 2008, the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia of 1976, the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone of 1995, the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea of 2002, the Declaration of the East Asia Summit on the Principles for Mutually Beneficial Relations of 2011, the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration of 2012, together with the Phnom Penh Statement on its adoption, and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) of 2019. ASEAN Member States continue to work with China towards the conclusion of an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the South China Sea that is in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Madam Chair,

6.       This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, which remains the foundational code of conduct for inter-State relations in our region and a cornerstone for regional peace and stability. ASEAN expresses our appreciation for the adoption by consensus, on 4 September 2026, of General Assembly resolution 80/311 which welcomes the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, and recognizes its enduring contributions to peace, stability and cooperation in Southeast Asia. With 62 High Contracting Parties, including States from regions beyond Southeast Asia, the Treaty has demonstrated its growing significance as a framework for peaceful relations, mutual respect and cooperation. We encourage all High Contracting Parties to reaffirm their commitment to the purpose and principles of the Treaty and to fulfil their obligations under the Treaty. 

Madam Chair,

7.       ASEAN welcomes the sub-topic for this year’s debate, which is “Enhancing the rule of law by strengthening the cooperation between the Sixth Committee of the General Assembly and the International Law Commission”. ASEAN values the dialogue between the Sixth Committee and the Commission. This dialogue ensures that the Commission grounds its work in the practice of States and opinio juris from all regions and is informed by diverse legal traditions. ASEAN has contributed and looks forward to continuing its contribution to the work of the Commission, including through members from our own region. We also support the continuation of briefings and exchanges of views between the Commission’s Special Rapporteurs and Sixth Committee delegates. ASEAN underscores the importance of developing countries participating meaningfully in this dialogue. The rule of law at the international level is strengthened when international law, and the institutions that interpret and develop it, reflect the perspectives of all regions, including our own subregion of Southeast Asia. It has been fifty years, Madam Chair, since a judge from Southeast Asia served on the International Court of Justice. Judge César Bengzon of the Philippines, whose term ended in 1976, remains the only ICJ judge from our region of Southeast Asia. If elected, Ambassador Rena Lee of Singapore will be the first woman from Southeast Asia to serve on the Court.

Madam Chair,

8.       ASEAN reaffirms the importance of upholding international law, including the UN Charter and UNCLOS. In this connection, ASEAN welcomes Cambodia’s ratification of UNCLOS on 6 February 2026, with which all ASEAN members are now Parties to the Convention. We reaffirm the importance of protecting and preserving the integrity of UNCLOS as the legal framework within which all activities in the oceans and seas must be carried out. We further reaffirm the importance of the navigational rights and freedoms enshrined in UNCLOS, including the right of transit passage in straits used for international navigation, the protection of the marine environment and the safety of navigation and life at sea.

9.       ASEAN reiterates our shared commitment to maintaining and promoting peace, security and stability in the region, as well as to the peaceful settlement of disputes, including full respect for legal and diplomatic processes, without resorting to the threat or use of force, in accordance with the universally recognised principles of international law, including UNCLOS.

10.     ASEAN is of the view that capacity-building remains critical for the promotion of the rule of law, as well as for the purpose of ensuring effective, inclusive, and accountable justice institutions. In this connection, we welcome and look forward to the continued support of the United Nations in carrying out activities under the UN Programme of Assistance in the Teaching, Study, Dissemination and Wider Appreciation of International Law. ASEAN particularly welcomes the continued organization of the Regional Course in International Law for Asia-Pacific in Bangkok, Thailand, as an important contribution to strengthening our regional capacity and broadening access to knowledge of international law.

11.     ASEAN continues to strengthen legal cooperation within our region in support of the rule of law, justice and the rules-based ASEAN. On 14 November 2025, the ASEAN Treaty on Extradition was signed in Manila, the Philippines. Upon its entry into force, the Treaty will enhance regional cooperation to combat transnational crime and strengthen the rule of law and justice in our region.

12.     Looking ahead, ASEAN's commitment to the rule of law is written into our long-term vision. The ASEAN Political-Security Community Strategic Plan envisions a peaceful, stable and secure region based on the fundamental principles enshrined in the ASEAN Charter, the UN Charter and international law. It also seeks to enable ASEAN to contribute towards a rules-based order anchored in international law amidst geopolitical tensions and rivalries, and to be a contributor to the maintenance of international peace and security through upholding the rules-based multilateral system and international law.

Madam Chair,

13.     Let me say in conclusion that the rule of law is how eleven diverse nations have pursued our common desire to live in a region of lasting peace, security and stability, sustained economic growth, shared prosperity and social progress. ASEAN reaffirms its commitment to good governance, accessible institutions, transparency and accountability. ASEAN strongly believes that this approach will further promote respect for the rule of law at the national and international levels, which will contribute to greater socio-economic development, peace, justice and prosperity for all.

14.     Thank you very much.