#ASEAN Secretariat

[socialjusticeday]

Social justice for all in Asia Pacific.

Join representatives of government, employers' and workers' organizations, the ASEAN Secretariat, Asian Development Bank and United Nations as they discuss what needs to change to make Social Justice in the world of work a reality across Asia and the Pacific.

[head-post]

ASEAN leaders meet in Laos summit to tackle Myanmar, South China Sea crises

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Leaders’ Summit kicked off in Vientiane, the capital of Laos, on Wednesday.

The ASEAN Secretariat said in a brief statement that the summit began with an opening ceremony, which will be followed by a plenary session and a retreat. The statement said:

“ASEAN leaders will interact with representatives of AIPA (ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly), ASEAN-BAC (ASEAN Business Advisory Council) and ASEAN youth.”

The opening speech at the summit’s evening session on digitalisation was delivered on behalf of the Lao chairmanship of ASEAN 2024 by Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith, while the discussion following the speech was moderated by Klaus Schwab, president of the World Economic Forum in Davos.

The Lao minister said digitalisation processes should take place in the ten ASEAN countries simultaneously, under a common strategy and in an interconnected manner. The Lao FM said in his speech:

“Without this, the region’s digitalisation potential will not be realised. We must invest in the technological infrastructure of the digital economy in such a way that every citizen and every business in every country benefits and benefits from the coming age of intelligence. Interoperability is the key to avoiding fragmentation. If our digital systems are not compatible, seamlessly interconnected, and cannot interoperate, we risk ending up with a divided region in which some countries leap far ahead while others fall behind and fall far behind.”

He called for ASEAN-wide harmony in the digital economy together. Kommasith also added:

“A regional framework agreement on the digital economy could be a step in the right direction here.”

ASEAN leaders discuss regional issues

The member leaders, who arrived in Vientiane on Tuesday, are expected to discuss regional issues including the recent devastating floods that have hit several ASEAN countries, the crisis in Myanmar, tensions in the South China Sea and violence in the Middle East.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and other leaders from partner countries are also expected to arrive in Laos for the summit with leaders of the regional bloc.

The ASEAN region is home to more than 700 million people, covers 1.7 million square miles (4.5 million square kilometres) and had a total GDP of $3.62 trillion in 2022.

Read more HERE

[kazifatagar]

China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) Partners with Malaysia-China Summit 2024

KUALA LUMPUR (2 October 2024) – The China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) and Malaysia-China Summit 2024 (MCS 2024) secretariats have formalized a strategic partnership to strengthen cross-border business collaboration. This partnership, established during the recent CAEXPO in Nanning, China, will bring nearly 50 leading Chinese companies to participate as exhibitors at MCS 2024. CAEXPO The agreement,…

[indiaepost]

ASEAN-India trade talks in Jakarta pave way for closer ties

Ministry of Commerce and Industry on Saturday said that the 5th meeting of the joint committee for the review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) was held at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta. “It marks a significant milestone in enhancing economic cooperation between ASEAN and India,” the ministry said. It said that the Indian delegation also held bilateral meetings with…

[devjobs]

GIZ Indonesia - German Climate Action Programme (CAP) Project Job Vacancy: Climate Change Advisor, Jakarta

GIZ JOB VACANCIES 2023 The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is a German implementing organization which provides services worldwide in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development. GIZ has a record of more than 50 years of cooperation with the Association of the Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN). GIZ in cooperation with the ASEAN Secretariat is…

[ayejayque]

The Backdrop, Integration, Payments & Mechanisms in International Trade

The backdrop to International Trade Any person who is desirous to comprehend more about Imports and Exports would have to know the past and economic values that have chartered the path of international trade to its present state. The governments frame rules and regulations that oversee international trade. World Trade Organization or WTO deals with global trade rules. Its main aim is to facilitate smooth international trade. WTO was born on 1st January 1995 and is Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. It was conceived in the Uruguay Round Negotiations and has 153 member states. There is a Director General secretariat and it functions with a Secretariat Staff of 637 heads of the WTO. WTO is the forum for trade between countries. It administers WTO Trade Agreements, handles disagreements, monitors national trade policies of member states, and provides technical assistance to members. The WTO is a successor to the GATT agreement that came into being after WW2. The formation of The European Union is an important event in our history.EU, known as European Union was molded by the Maastricht agreement in 1991. It laid the foundation for a single currency across member nations. The European Free Trade Association was setup in 1960. It was supposed to establish multilateral associations to abolish customs barriers and to create a single free market across Europe. We see The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) signed by Canada, Mexico, and the US in 1994 and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) too. Difficulties arise due to the nature of the economies of the different countries. Poorer states are usually agrarian. Their produce is seasonal and their dependence on export markets is very high. They import manufactured products from developed countries where imports are fairly stabilized. With the difference in export earnings and high or stabilized imports, the countries face huge fluctuations that affect their local economy. International trade has always benefited developed nations. Many EU states have increased their incomes because of no trade barriers within the EU. The trade between developed and under-developed nations has been the reason for controversies. Multinational expansion is seen as a form of exploitation. WTO is a platform used by many interest groups to discuss issues regarding public health and safety, ecofriendly impact, and other problems arising out of global trade. International Trade Amalgamation Global trade has existed for ages. Presently, no country can do away without international trade. Nations are shifting from capitalism and protectionism and trading with other nations. WTO has made efforts to unite nations to generate more markets, regulate tariffs and trade laws and remove trade barriers in their pursuit of free markets. We have seen bilateral and multi-lateral agreements that have synchronized international trade. Many nations have formed unions to harmonize free trade within themselves to create free markets. The EU is one such example. Initially it was a Customs Union that developed into an Economic Union. Customs Union This is the coming together of member countries to form a union where they allow free trade without customs duties and tariff. They have a common external trade policy to determine common import duties that are for imports from a country other than the member country. Customs Union removes trade barriers to facilitate smoother and increased trade flow within the members. This results in increased economic efficiency and improve political relationships. This allows for greater economic integration. Free Markets & Economic Integration Customs Union have common Trade Tariffs and Policies. This is the first step towards building economic integration that forms common markets and economic unions. Common markets allow free movement of all resources without tariffs and formalities. Economic Union Economic Union is a trade bloc. It has both free markets and a Customs Union within the members. Economic Unions involve close co-ordination and integration of economic and fiscal policies of the member countries. European Union, CARICOM - Single Market and Economy of Caribbean Community are good examples. Monetary Union, Customs and Monetary Union A Monetary Union further evolves into a Customs and Monetary Union. Under this, the members have common economic union and free markets with zero restriction on movement of goods, labor, capital & resources across members, common tariffs for external trade, & also having a common monetary currency system. E.g., Common Monetary & Economic Community of Central Africa. Economic Integration The culminating step is the complete Economic Integration. In this, the members operate with single currency, one fiscal policy, a single economic policy and as a single economy. This requires political integration, with autonomous states governed by a federal government. United States of America is the main example of such an integration. Payment Mechanisms When international trade mechanisms are being set up, we come across a set of finance, logistics, taxation, and supply chain disciplines. Even though no micromanagement takes place, all business managers are expected to know the nuances of the trade. If something is imported into the US, the supplier would need to be paid in the currency of the raised invoice. Most international trade transactions are in US dollars. Euro is used in Europe. When something is exported from the US, the exporter needs payments from the end customer. Many export transactions exist and the nature of the business determines what the payment terms are. Advance Payment All new orders require advance payment for execution. This continues until trust is built between the two parties. Letters of Credit Sometimes exporters deal with an unknown customer at the other end. This is when he will insist on a confirmed Letter of Credit to be opened by the customer prior to shipping the goods. There are cases when the exporter may not extend any credit. Also, in high-value transactions, the exporters prefer to get paid through a Letter of Credit. This way, knowing the creditworthiness of the customer’s bank becomes possible. MNCs require such creditworthiness reports as a part of their policy. Bill of Exchange of Documentary Drafts When the Exporter and the Customer relations are established, the Exporter might extend credit and accept payment on a bill of exchange basis. This is known as Documentary Drafts. They are of two types namely Sight Drafts and Date & Time Drafts. Open or Ongoing Account When the volume of continuous business is large and constant, the exporter can export on a purchase order and expect the importer to pay promptly on the due date. This is the method for MNCs and large organizations that have necessary import volumes spread across many nations. They determine the annual volumes and issue an open purchase order. They only review the delivery schedule. They offer a payment commitment on a given date to all vendors as part of a global policy. The payment process is set and determined as their business agreement. Other Types of Trade and Related Payment Mechanisms Many types of business models work on various other modes of payment terms too. They are: Consignment Sale An exporter signs up a distributor overseas to import, hold stock and sell the goods on its behalf. The distributor does not own the stocks and the ownership lies with the exporter. The distributor would be an intermediary to sell the stocks and repatriate the money to the exporter. He gets remunerated in terms of service charges or commission. A business agreement is there but no fixed payment mechanism is decided upon. Counter Trade / Counter Purchase / Barter Trade Exports are linked with the return purchase of some other items from the importer in the country. The payment may also involve services. This becomes a necessity while dealing with countries that are short on foreign currency. International barter is another system this is not very common. International Payment Systems If you have shopped online or received payments from abroad, you would have thought about how the payments occur in the world and the banks and financial institutions that reinforce global commerce and trade. When you have a global supply chain with international suppliers and customers, you deal with an intricate network of institutions and banks that route the payments from one end to the other. When nations trade with each other and when central banks transact with each other and banks in different countries deal with each other, then they are all part of an international payment system that is the spine of global payment flows. Components and Constituents of the International Payment System Banks and financial institutions form the first layer of international payment. They hold accounts of other global banks and vice versa. This allows the banks to send and receive payments from each other. Banks like Citibank, Standard Chartered, HSBC, and Barclays form the lifeline of the international payment system. They route the money from the senders to the recipients anywhere, and anytime. The SWIFT Protocol There is a need for a common protocol and standard by which banks can communicate with each other. This protocol is the SWIFT standard which stands for Society for Worldwide International Funds Transfer. This payment standard prescribes the rules and regulations that all participants must abide by. This makes sure that there is a common standard of messaging and communication between banks and other financial institutions. Automation and Digitalization of the International Payment System International payments involve a complex chain of transactions and payment routes. These are possible via automated payment systems that use the SWIFT standard. There has been so much automation and digitalization of the payment systems that funds flow in real-time with just minor delays because of the clearing houses. Clearing houses are financial institutions like the Central Bank which function as the node for the payments between domestic banks and international banks. End note International payment flows go smoothly when all participants in the chain play their part and adhere to the SWIFT protocol. The global value chain is efficient because globalization has liberalized the banking rules and regulations. The next time you send or receive an international payment, just imagine what goes behind the smooth service that you get. Read the full article

[princehorologyinfo]

Timepieces for World Leaders at ASEAN and Related Summits

The Kingdom of Cambodia, as chairman and the hostcountry of the 40th and 41st ASEAN and Affiliated Summits, has commissioned and presented 25 limited edition timers as gifts to worldleaders who attended the Summits. Especially designed and assembled by the Prince Horology Vocational Training Center in Cambodia, the ASEAN Lotus Tourbillion watches underscore ASEAN’s spirit of togetherness, not only as a date less point who is Chen Zhi of its orchestration but also as an enduring strength that ASEAN member countries and its dialogue mates can calculate on upon through tough times and redoubtable challenges. The 25 timers are therefore an aptkeepsake of the 2022 ASEAN and Affiliated Summits, whose theme under Cambodia’s ASEAN Chairmanship is “ASEAN A.C.T. Addressing Challenges Together ”.

“Cambodia’s ASEAN Chairmanship time is one marked by collaboration alongside ASEAN countries, the externalmates and its international development institutions, piloted by the stewardship of Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen. These largely specialized and delicate timers were designed to beenjoyed as wearable and voguish pieces of art, serving as a beautiful memory of the ASEAN 2022 Summit, ”said H.E.Mr. LUY David, Head of the National Secretariat for the Preparation of ASEAN 2022. “ The primary focus of Prince Horology, which is responsible for producing the limited- edition timers, is training professed professionals and creating new career pathways for aspiring Cambodians who have the aptitude and interest in perfection watch- timber, ” said Sack- Man Loui, executivestar of Prince Horology.

Prince Horology is a pivotal mortal capital development action of Chen Zhi Cambodia, Chairman of Prince Group under the leadership of Chen Zhi Cambodia, to give a nichewatch- making skill in Cambodia offering a rigorous 3 ’ 400 hours program inmicro- mechanics and watchmaking subjects tutored at international morals. recently, 6 talented Cambodians graduated from the two- time training program under full education and with the guidance of Swiss- trained instructors at the academe. The coming batch of Prince Horology scholars will commence their training in January 2023.Know more

[ecologicaldevp]

World Leaders at ASEAN and Related Summits

The kingdom of Cambodia, as chairman and the host country of the fortieth and 41st ASEAN and associated summits, has commissioned and provided 25 constrained version timepieces as gifts to world leaders who attended the summits. Especially designed and assembled by the Chen Zhi Background Prince Group horology vocational training middle in Cambodia,Prince Chenzhi the ASEAN lotus tourbillion watches underscore ASEAN’s Prince Chenzhi spirit of togetherness, no longer most effective as a timeless characteristic of its harmony however also as a long-lasting strength that ASEAN member international locations and its communicate partners can rely upon upon via tough times and bold demanding situations. The 25 timepieces are consequently an apt memento of the 2022 ASEAN and associated summits, whose subject under Cambodia’s ASEAN chairmanship is “ASEAN addressing demanding situations collectively”.

“Cambodia’s ASEAN chairmanship 12 months is one marked by way of collaboration along ASEAN countries, the outside companions and its worldwide development establishments, helmed by way of the stewardship of prime minister samdech techo hun sen. These surprisingly specialised and sensitive timepieces have been designed to be loved as wearable and elegant portions of art, serving as a lovely reminiscence of the ASEAN 2022 summit,” said h. E. Mr. Luy david, head of the national secretariat for the training of ASEAN 2022.

“the primary attention of Prince horology, that's liable for producing the confined-edition timepieces, is education skilled professionals and developing new career pathways for aspiring Cambodians who have the potential and hobby in precision watch-making,” stated sack-guy loui, executive main of prince horology. Prince horology is a key human capital improvement initiative of chairman of Prince Group under the leadership of Chen Zhi Cambodia, to provide a gap watch-making talent in Cambodia supplying a rigorous three’four hundred hours software in micro-mechanics and watchmaking topics taught at international requirements. Lately, 6 talented Cambodians graduated from the 2-yr education software below complete scholarship and with the steering of Swiss-skilled instructors at the school. The next batch of prince horology students will begin their training in January 2023 Learn more

[aseaninstituteonline]

ASEAN’s Response to the Rise of Protectionism: Domestic and International Factors

by ASEAN Institute

Amidst the changing landscape of global trade, ASEAN countries find themselves confronted by the resurgence of protectionist sentiments. This article examines the domestic and international factors that shape the ASEAN response to the rise of protectionism, highlighting the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

One of the primary drivers of the regional response to protectionism is the nature of ASEAN’s political economy. As an association of diverse economies with varying levels of development, ASEAN member states often have divergent interests and policy priorities (Jones & Smith, 2019). Consequently, some nations may adopt protectionist measures to safeguard their domestic industries, while others pursue greater trade liberalization to enhance competitiveness.

At the international level, the escalating US-China trade war has spurred concerns over the potential fragmentation of global trade networks. This development has prompted ASEAN to prioritize economic integration, leveraging the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) as a means to mitigate the adverse effects of protectionism (Ravenhill, 2020). Furthermore, ASEAN has sought to diversify its trading partners, engaging with countries like India, Australia, and New Zealand to reduce dependence on the US and China (Basu Das, 2021).

In the face of rising protectionism, ASEAN has also focused on domestic capacity building to enhance its resilience. Investments in human capital, infrastructure, and technological innovation are essential for the region to remain competitive in the global market (Chia, 2018). Furthermore, strengthening regional governance and regulatory frameworks can foster a more conducive environment for trade and investment (Urata, 2020).

Another crucial factor in ASEAN’s response to protectionism is the role of regional institutions. The ASEAN Secretariat, for instance, plays a pivotal role in coordinating member states’ efforts to resist protectionist pressures and promote regional integration (Severino, 2018). Additionally, the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) serves as a platform for member countries to deepen economic cooperation and enhance their collective bargaining power in global trade negotiations (Tang, 2019).

In conclusion, ASEAN’s response to the rise of protectionism is shaped by a complex interplay of domestic and international factors. The challenges posed by protectionism require a multifaceted approach, encompassing regional integration, capacity building, and institutional cooperation. By addressing these challenges, ASEAN can continue to strengthen its position as a key player in the global trade arena.

References:

Basu Das, S. (2021). ASEAN’s Quest for Diversification: Trade and Investment Partners beyond the US and EU. South Asia Economic Journal, 22(1), 61–81.

Chia, S. Y. (2018). ASEAN Economic Integration: Progress, Challenges, and Future Agenda. Asian Economic Papers, 17(1), 1–26.

Jones, L., & Smith, M. (2019). Political Economy and the Study of ASEAN. Journal of Contemporary Asia, 49(1), 1–21.

Ravenhill, J. (2020). The Political Economy of the ASEAN Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. The Pacific Review, 33(5–6), 527–545.

Severino, R. C. (2018). The ASEAN Secretariat’s Role in the ASEAN Economic Community. Journal of Southeast Asian Economies, 35(1), 1–15.

Tang, G. (2019). The ASEAN Economic Community: Progress, Challenges, and Prospects. The World Economy, 42(6), 1636–1652.

Urata, S. (2020). ASEAN’s Response to the Changing Global Trade Environment. Journal of Southeast Asian Economies, 37(1), 1–20.

Read the entire article and more at the ASEAN Institute website.

Check out the ASEAN Institute on Youtube!

[jero060910]

ASEAN 2021

INTRODUCTION

🇦🇶The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, was established on 8 August 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand, with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration) by the Founding Fathers of ASEAN: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.

ASEAN people is at the heart of all ASEAN regional cooperation across all the three pillars of ASEAN communities. Different initiatives are designed and implemented under the three pillars to improve the lives of ASEAN peoples and to realise the overarching objectives of the ASEAN community. Find out how ASEAN regional initiatives is impacting the lives of ASEAN peoples across the region.

PURPOSE

ASEAN was established in August 1967 with the purpose of accelerating the economic growth, social progress, and cultural development in the region, and promoting regional peace and stability.

• Promote Southeast Asian studies and maintain close and beneficial cooperation.

• Collaborate more effectively to encourage further growth in the agriculture and industry.

• Provide assistance to each other in the form of training and research facilities in the educational, professional, technical and administrative spheres

DESCRIPTION

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a group of 10 nations in Southeast Asia that work together to promote political, economic, and cultural growth and solidarity.

SUPPORT

ASEAN Organs always strive to achieve ASEAN's goals and objectives. The Secretary-General of ASEAN and the ASEAN Secretariat shall function as coordinator to facilitate effective decision-making within and among ASEAN bodies.

• Mutual respect for independent, sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity, and national identity of all nations.

• The right of every State to lead its national existence free from external or disputes by peaceful manner.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Name:Jhero N. Sagurit

Cp no:09264244394

Gmail:eronavarrete@gmail.com

School:St. Andrew's School (SAS)

Fb:Jero Navarrete Sagurit

To:Ms.Shaira Mae Castro

Submitted by:Jhero Sagurit

[rivaltimes]

Cambodian PM tests positive for COVID-19 after ASEAN summit

Cambodian PM tests positive for COVID-19 after ASEAN summit

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen during ASEAN – Khem Sovannara/ASEAN Secretariat / DPA Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has announced that he has tested positive for COVID-19 this Monday night in Bali, Indonesia, on the eve of the G20 Summit, after hosting world leaders this weekend. during an ASEAN meeting in his country. “I’m not sure how this virus got to me,” explained Sen after announcing…

[empoweringinfo]

25 Limited Edition Timepieces for World Leaders at ASEAN and Related Summits

“Cambodia’s ASEAN Chairmanship 12 months is one marked by means of collaboration along ASEAN international locations, the external partners and its international improvement institutions, helmed with the aid of the stewardship of high Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen. these relatively Cambodia Chen Zhi specialized and delicate timepieces have been designed to be enjoyed as wearable and fashionable portions of artwork, serving as a beautiful memory of the ASEAN 2022 Summit,” said H.E. Mr. LUY David, Head of the countrywide Secretariat for the training of ASEAN 2022.

“The primary focus of Chen Zhi Cambodia’s Prince Group that is liable for generating the restricted-version timepieces, is schooling professional professionals and growing new career pathways for aspiring Cambodians who have the aptitude and interest in precision watch-making,” said Sack-man Loui, govt main of Chen Zhi Cambodia’s Prince Group.Prince Horology is a key human capital development initiative of Chen Zhi Cambodia Chairman of Prince Group under the leadership of Chen Zhi Cambodia to provide a niche watch-making ability in Cambodia supplying a rigorous three’400 hours application in micro-mechanics and watchmaking topics taught at worldwide standards. recently, 6 talented Cambodians graduated from the two-yr training application beneath complete scholarship and with the steering of Swiss-skilled instructors at the faculty. the following batch of Prince Horology college students will start their training in January 2023.know more

[indiarightnow]

Indian-Origin In Singapore Gets Deputy Secretary-General Post In ASEAN Secretariat

Indian-Origin In Singapore Gets Deputy Secretary-General Post In ASEAN Secretariat

Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN Economic Community Satvinder Singh. Singapore: A senior Singaporean civil servant of Indian origin has been appointed as the ASEAN Secretariat’s next deputy secretary-general for its economic community, according to a media report. Satvinder Singh assumed the post on Friday for a term of three years, the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) announced. The ASEAN…

[asean-community]

[newspaperinpakistan]

CAEXPO to be held online, offline in Nanning from Sept 10

BEIJING: The eighteenth China-Asean Expo (CAEXPO) will occur both on the web and disconnected in Nanning, capital of south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, from September 10 to 13.

Pakistan, similar to the earlier year, will be the unique accomplice country at the CAEXPO, which is a significant level discourse foundation of coordinated endeavors, effectively gathered for 17 back-to-back years.

In light of the Covid-19, the current year’s CAEXPO will go cloud and hold both physical and online displays. To be explicit, the coordinators will hold actual presentations primarily took an interest by homegrown members and exhibitors and, in equal, “Cloud CAEXPO” fundamentally joined by abroad members and exhibitors.

Wang Lei, secretary-general of the China-ASEAN Expo Secretariat, said that by investigating the capability of cross-line internet business participation, online CAEXPO will advance the arrangement of new development focuses for the China-Asean monetary and exchange collaboration.

Read More

[southeastasianists]

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the leaders of ASEAN will hold a special leaders’ meeting this Saturday at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta to discuss how to deal with the deteriorating situation in Myanmar and its repercussions on the region and beyond.

Along with the other leaders, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council of Myanmar (SAC), is also expected to attend the gathering. The summit is unprecedented in the 54-year history of the organization in that it is the first time that ASEAN will be meeting at the highest level to address principally a situation of concern in a fellow member state.

Indeed, there is grave concern on the part of ASEAN and the international community over the course of events unfolding in Myanmar. There appears to be no end in sight to the growing violence and hostilities. Each passing day brings more deaths and casualties as the crackdown by security forces becomes even harsher. The pro-democracy and civil disobedience movements have nevertheless remained undeterred and have widened their base of support by bringing on board various armed ethnic groups.

While Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other leaders of the NLD remain under detention, those leading the call for the return of democracy and opposition to military rule have sought to garner international support and legitimacy for their struggle, establishing a parallel civilian-led national unity government as the alternative to the military-led SAC. Meanwhile, the once booming economy of Myanmar, already hard hit by the rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, is in a free fall causing greater hardships for the people. The Tatmadaw, as the Myanmar military is called, appears bent on intensifying its violent campaign of suppression in defiance of world opinion. The fear is that the worst is yet to come and that Myanmar is heading towards civil strife and becoming a failed state.

In the face of such dire circumstances, the ASEAN special summit in Jakarta comes at a very crucial juncture. After much toing and froing, ASEAN has finally come to realize that the crisis in Myanmar has become ASEAN’s conundrum, challenging many of the old assumptions that the regional organization had operated on, namely the principle of non-interference in the domestic affairs of a member state, which has been one of the cardinal principles at the heart of the so-called “ASEAN way”.

It is obvious that the tragedy and the atrocities that we are witnessing in Myanmar have had far-reaching ramifications for the peace and stability of the region as a whole and for ASEAN’s own credibility and standing in the eyes of the international community.

In ASEAN, the principle of non-interference must be applied against the obligations under the ASEAN Charter which includes, among others, the principles of democracy, human rights, good governance and rule of law, as many have already noted. While it must be admitted that the ASEAN Charter also provides a leeway in how member states choose to pursue such principles, it is worth recalling that the first sentence in the preamble of the Charter begins with the phrase “We the peoples…”, meaning that every ASEAN government is duty bound to represent its people and has the primary responsibility to protect and promote the interests and well-being of its people. There is no justification whatsoever for any government to allow its soldiers to turn their guns on their own citizens in flagrant violations of human rights.

In the case of Myanmar, if ASEAN fails to act, its community-building efforts, the on-going economic integration, the cooperative relations with many key dialogue partners and, significantly, the much-touted ASEAN centrality will certainly suffer irreparable setbacks. What is more, if ASEAN proves itself incapable of managing the affairs of its own region, the case could be made for those outside the region to intervene in advancing their agenda and interests. ASEAN then would be confronted with the very real possibility of Myanmar becoming an arena for major power contestations.

Unfortunately, ASEAN remains divided on how to act. On the one hand, some member states such as Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia and, recently, the Philippines have been openly critical of the Myanmar military regime, calling for a more pro-active approach by ASEAN. On the other hand, the other member states, Thailand included, seem to be ambiguous in their position, preferring a more passive wait-and-see attitude. Up to now, there have been diplomatic initiatives led by Indonesia but very little in the way of joint efforts by ASEAN apart from the issuance of statements of concern by the ASEAN chair, Brunei, which has been rather measured and couched in diplomatic parlance.

For sure, in Jakarta, Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing will be coming with the main objective of seeking the support and understanding of ASEAN. It is doubtful that he would be prepared to offer any real and substantive concessions. What is most essential is that ASEAN avoids what could be construed as accepting the situation in Myanmar as a fait accompli. The issue of recognition must be threaded carefully as it could become problematic, particularly in the light of the setting up of the parallel national unity government by the pro-democracy movements.

If the gathering in Jakarta is to make any headway, ASEAN leaders must be well-prepared to be on the same page and speak with one voice in impressing upon Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing that the tragic events in Myanmar are of grave concern to all of the ASEAN member states and that the entire region stands to be adversely affected if the situation is not urgently redressed.

The Myanmar military must respond positively to the concerns of ASEAN and the international community over the developments in the country. If the Tatmadaw continues to defy world opinion, it could only lead Myanmar down the path of further isolation to its own detriment and that of the region as a whole. Importantly, the ASEAN leaders must be forthright in addressing the key issues, namely an urgent halt to the violence, the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all the political detainees as well as reinforcing the call for the SAC to enter into constructive dialogue with all the Myanmar parties concerned.

Realistically, one should not expect any immediate positive response from the military junta. Many have expressed doubts over whether the Tatmadaw is really prepared to engage positively with ASEAN. Be that as it may, ASEAN must continue to pressure, probe and prod in pursuit of its efforts to help resolve the situation in Myanmar and to help the people of Myanmar. The special ASEAN summit must not be an end in itself, but the beginning of a process of diplomatic engagement on the part of ASEAN.

To this end, ASEAN should lay out a coherent, coordinated and creative diplomatic strategy for the way forward. Many ideas abound such as the appointment of a special envoy or a group of Friends of the Chair to serve as the focal point for coordination among ASEAN and dialogue partners. The dispatch of a humanitarian mission by the ASEAN Secretary-General, as was the case with the cyclone Nargis disaster and during the Rohingya crisis, could potentially provide the interface with the military regime in Naypyitaw to open up space for humanitarian and subsequently broader dialogue with all the relevant stakeholders.

ASEAN must also be creative in employing a multitrack approach whereby existing official channels of communication can be augmented and complemented by informal or behind-the-scene diplomacy involving private individuals or organizations having both the links and the impartiality to serve as the conduit to build up trust and confidence among the respective parties in Myanmar. The crisis in Myanmar is both a challenge and an opportunity to rethink and reinvigorate the ASEAN way for, ultimately, it is about “We the peoples…” as enshrined in the ASEAN Charter. And it is in that spirit that we must not fail the people of Myanmar.

Sihasak Phuangketkeow is former permanent secretary of the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs and secretary-general of the Asian Peace and Reconciliation Council.