ASEAN, Russia adopt Kazan Declaration 2026 for next phase of cooperation

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Russia have agreed to deepen cooperation and dialogue in several areas through the Kazan Declaration 2026, a roadmap for the next phase of their relations.

Leaders of the regional bloc and Russian President Vladimir Putin adopted the declaration on Thursday at the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit in Kazan, Russia, which marked 35 years of dialogue relations.

In a joint press conference, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. – co-chair of the summit with Putin – said they “welcomed the adoption of several important outcome documents that will guide the next phase of ASEAN-Russia relations.”

These are:

• The Kazan Declaration 2026, entitled “ASEAN-Russian Federation: Unity in Diversity – 35 Years Together,”
• The ASEAN-Russia Comprehensive Plan of Action for 2026-2030,
• The Joint Statement and Concept Paper on Cultural Cooperation, and
• The Joint Statement and Concept Paper on Energy Cooperation.

“Together, these documents provide a comprehensive roadmap for expanding practical cooperation and delivering tangible results and benefits to our peoples in the years to come,” Marcos said.

The declaration stated that ASEAN and Russia share similar views on a range of international issues.

It also outlined specific areas for future cooperation, such as maritime cooperation, biological safety and security, combating transnational crimes, trade and investment, energy and food security, sustainable development, among others.

The Kazan Declaration 2026 also acknowledged that “the enhanced cooperation between ASEAN and the Russian Federation will serve the immediate and long-term interests of both sides and the entire region.”

For his part, Putin said the strategic dimensions of cooperation between ASEAN and Russia are enshrined in the Kazan Declaration.

“It highlights specifically the commitment of all of our states to building a just and democratic, multipolar world order founded on widely recognized principles of international law and the UN charter,” he said during the joint press briefing.

He said the ASEAN-Russia plan of action was adopted, containing “specific measures to strengthen ties of our country with ASEAN in politics and security, trade and investment, culture, and humanitarian sphere.”

Putin added that during the summit, “many constructive ideas and useful practical notions were voiced as to how to galvanize partnership in economic sphere.”

“Participants advocated for a qualitative and quantitative improvement of mutual trade, fine-tuning its structure, and expanding mutual investments,” Putin said.

Meanwhile, Marcos said they also discussed ways to expand trade and investment, boost food and energy security, push for cooperation in science and technology, and more people-to-people exchanges.

“We also discussed developments in the wider Eurasian region and welcomed opportunities for greater engagement between Asean and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Eurasian Economic Union,” the President said.

He welcomed Russia’s continued engagement with the region and its support for ASEAN centrality and the ASEAN-led regional architecture.

“We remain committed to ensuring that the momentum generated at the summit translates into concrete outcomes and meaningful cooperation,” he added. — JMA, GMA News