Shared goals for ASEAN
Speaking at their joint press conference, Arrmanatha called for an ASEAN that better serves Southeast Asia's people by becoming "more effective, efficient, and relevant." He said Indonesia looked to Singapore to help advance those goals while preserving the bloc's unity, centrality and resilience.
Balakrishnan welcomed the pledge. He said the ministers had devoted substantial attention to ASEAN's future and concerns shared by both countries. "We look forward to working closely with Indonesia to strengthen ASEAN's unity, centrality, and resilience during our Chairmanship," he said.
Singapore will succeed the Philippines as rotating chair on January 1, 2027, and serve through December 31, 2027. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong set out that timetable in his National Day Rally speech on August 23, 2026, noting that Singapore last held the role in 2018. The chairmanship coincides with ASEAN's 60th anniversary, as an October 23 commentary from the Lowy Institute noted.
Balakrishnan expressed confidence in continued support from Indonesia, a longtime neighbor and partner. He highlighted the role of Southeast Asia's largest country in sustaining ASEAN's unity and progress, saying: "Indonesia is a key pillar for the neighborhood, for ASEAN, and indeed, for the world."
Integration, economic agreements and continuity
Singapore's plans for its term include closer regional integration and broader external partnerships. In remarks on October 7, 2026, Balakrishnan said it would expand ties beyond traditional dialogue partners, naming the European Union, Canada, and countries in Africa, South America and the Pacific Islands.
Implementing ASEAN's Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) will be a key economic priority during the chairmanship, according to Satvinder Singh, ASEAN deputy secretary-general for the ASEAN Economic Community. Speaking on October 9, 2026, he said the agreement was scheduled for signing at the 49th ASEAN Summit in November 2026. A Green Economic Framework Agreement (GEFA) is also expected to launch.
Some reform work is intended to extend beyond Singapore's year in the chair. According to the Lowy Institute's October 23 commentary, Singapore and Thailand, the 2028 chair, have agreed on a joint multiyear agenda to help complex reforms survive the transition between their terms.
Bilateral ties and action on haze
Arrmanatha linked Indonesia's domestic resilience agenda to its regional responsibilities. President Prabowo Subianto remains committed to strengthening the country, he said, but that effort does not mean withdrawing from international contributions. Indonesia intends its greater resilience to benefit its neighbors and ASEAN. "A stronger Indonesia also means a stronger neighbor and a stronger ASEAN," he said.
He also argued that a healthy Indonesia-Singapore relationship helps maintain regional stability and prevents disagreements from undermining their partnership. Balakrishnan noted that 2027 will mark 60 years of diplomatic relations between the countries, offering an occasion both to celebrate and to deepen ties.
Investment was another part of Balakrishnan's account of the relationship. He said Singapore has been Indonesia's largest foreign investor since 2014, describing that record as a vote of confidence in Indonesia's future.
The ministers also discussed transboundary haze. Arrmanatha proposed a Joint Task Force to strengthen business responsibility, and Balakrishnan said Singapore agreed. Putting companies on notice, he pledged that Singapore would use all its legal and regulatory powers against firms responsible for the fires.
