The third activation of the Bali Process Consultation Mechanism took place in Bangkok, Thailand, on 19 December 2023. The meeting was convened in light of recent irregular maritime movements in the Andaman Sea, which had raised urgent humanitarian and security concerns for the region.
Co-chaired by Australia and Indonesia, the meeting provided a confidential forum for open and constructive dialogue, enabling participants to exchange information on recent developments, share national perspectives, and consider coordinated approaches to addressing the challenges posed by irregular maritime migration. Discussions focused on practical outcomes that could be taken forward collectively by Bali Process members. These included strengthening early warning and information-sharing mechanisms, exploring opportunities for enhanced search and rescue cooperation, and identifying measures to protect vulnerable groups, particularly women and children, who are disproportionately affected in maritime movements. The meeting also reaffirmed the importance of a cooperative regional approach to preventing loss of life at sea, disrupting people smuggling networks, and ensuring that humanitarian principles remain central to all responses.
The activation highlighted the ongoing relevance of the Consultation Mechanism as a tool for facilitating timely dialogue, fostering trust among members, and supporting joint action in response to emerging migration challenges across the Bali Process region.