On 18 September 2025, Mr. Suwit Mangkhala, Chargé d'affaires (a.i.) of the Permanent Mission of Thailand to ASEAN, attended the Second Conference of the High Contracting Parties to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), held at the ASEAN Secretariat under the theme “The Treaty of Amity and Cooperation: Past, Present, and Future Challenges and Opportunities”.

CDA Suwit underlined the importance of the TAC, which has laid the foundation for cooperation, established regional norms, and guided ASEAN’s external relations for nearly half a century. The Treaty has also contributed to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the region, in line with the goals of the ASEAN 2045.

In light of the 50^th Anniversary of the TAC in 2026, CDA Suwit proposed that the High Contracting Parties work together to promote the relevance of the TAC, both in upholding its principles and advancing concrete cooperation, in order to address common challenges.

The TAC is the first international treaty of ASEAN, which was established by five founding members, namely Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, and signed by their Foreign Ministers in February 1976. The TAC serves as a code of conduct among the High Contracting Parties while fostering effective cooperation. Today, the Treaty has 57 High Contracting Parties.

Photo courtesy of the ASEAN Secretariat