Representatives from the Department of ASEAN Affairs attended the 17^th ASEAN Regional Forum Inter-Sessional Meeting on Maritime Security (ARF ISM on MS), held in Jakarta on 28–29 April 2026, co-chaired by Indonesia, the United States, and India.

The meeting exchanged views on developments in maritime security cooperation, including the interlinkages between maritime security and the blue economy, the importance of upholding freedom of navigation and overflight, they security of maritime transportation routes, the protection of undersea infrastructure, and marine environmental conservation. Several participants underscored the importance of ensuring key straits remain open, stable, and accessible to all countries in accordance with international law. Progress on capacity-building activities under the ARF ISM on MS was also reported, with a view to promoting mutual trust and confidence.

Thailand highlighted the impacts of geopolitical tensions on maritime security, as well as on food and energy security in the region, Thailand also noted emerging maritime security challenges affecting law enforcement and emphasised the importance of safeguarding sea lines of communication. In this connection, Thailand shared experiences in coordinated patrols and information-sharing in the Strait of Malacca as a useful reference for other regions. Thailand further reaffirmed its commitment to advancing cooperation through multilateral frameworks, particularly ASEAN-led mechanisms, and expressed its readiness to continue contributing actively to the work of the ARF in the area of maritime security.