Blinken Emphasizes Efforts for Gaza Ceasefire at ASEAN Meeting

On Saturday, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) voiced "serious concern" over the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the alarming death toll.

During a meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken asserted that the United States is "working diligently every day" to secure a ceasefire in Gaza and pave the way for lasting peace and security.

His remarks followed a statement by Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, who stressed the urgent need for a permanent peace solution. "We cannot ignore the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza any longer," Marsudi stated.

Blinken called on ASEAN countries to collaborate on addressing global issues such as the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, as well as North Korea's missile programs.

Ahead of his meeting with his Chinese counterpart on Saturday, Blinken urged ASEAN foreign ministers to help tackle challenges, including "Beijing's provocative and unlawful actions" in the South China Sea.

Following two days of closed-door discussions in Laos, ASEAN issued a joint statement welcoming unspecified practical measures aimed at de-escalating tensions in the South China Sea and preventing incidents and misunderstandings.

The statement also highlighted North Korea's missile tests as a concerning development and urged peaceful resolutions to the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine.