Asean leaders must face climate change challenge head on: Jakarta Post contributor

Asean leaders are seen on a screen as they attend the 4th Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Summit as part of the 37th Asean Summit in Hanoi, Vietnam on Nov15, 2020.- Reuters

JAKARTA (The Jakarta Post/ANN): Despite being portrayed as a success, the 37th Asean Summit, recently held under the chairmanship of Vietnam, should be reframed and reconsidered in terms of the commitments made to combat climate change.

We wish we could have found, in the final declaration issued at the end of the conclave, some commitments, perhaps not as bold as we should expect from an ambitious regional bloc like Asean but nevertheless some signals, at least a symbolic decision, proving that the regional leaders are looking beyond trade and remain ready, despite the challenges, to fight for climate action.