Indonesian Foreign Minister speaks to the press about the 56th ASEAN Diplomatic Conference on July 10. (Source: Antara)

Minister Retno Marsudi emphasized that peace and stability have been maintained by ASEAN for more than five decades. This has brought prosperity to the Southeast Asian region.

"Economic growth in Southeast Asia has, almost at all times, been higher than global growth. Growth and prosperity can only be achieved if there is peace and stability - and ASEAN has managed to realize them so far," Minister Retno Marsudi told reporters.

A series of events within the framework of AMM 56 will take place in Jakarta from July 10-14.

The events included 18 meetings, including the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) discussion meeting; the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) meeting; the AMM plenary session and the closed session.

In addition, the agenda also includes meetings of ASEAN foreign ministers with ASEAN dialogue partners, namely India, New Zealand, Russia, Australia, China, Japan, South Korea, the European Union (EU), the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States; the ASEAN + 3 Foreign Ministers' Meeting, the East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers' Meeting and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).

The series of events will be attended by at least 1,165 delegates and 493 Indonesian and foreign reporters.

As ASEAN Chair this year, Indonesia has put forward the theme “ASEAN: The Hub of Growth”, reflecting the focus of the Chair on orienting cooperation within ASEAN to enhance ASEAN’s relevance in responding to regional and global challenges, while building ASEAN’s position as a hub of economic growth in the region.