KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): The Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean) marked its 59th anniversary on Saturday (Aug 8); the grouping finds itself at a pivotal time as it navigates new geopolitical realities reshaping the region.
Having demonstrated success and resilience for nearly six decades and established its international standing, Asean's challenge is no longer simply about proving its relevance.
Rather, analysts said for the 11-member association, strengthening internal unity and regional integration is now more crucial than ever as both will be key to preserving ASEAN’s centrality and resilience amid rising geopolitical competition and complex regional challenges.
The United States (US)-Iran war and wider conflict in West Asia have exposed the region to energy security concerns and disruptions in global trade and supply chains.
There is impetus now for ASEAN to harness its growing diplomatic influence and deliver real benefits for its 700 million people, as the bloc charts its future under the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.
International Islamic University Malaysia’s (IIUM) Institute of International and ASEAN Studies (IINTAS) Director, Prof Dr Phar Kim Beng, said ASEAN’s future ultimately depends not only on recognition by external partners of its centrality and reassurance that they respect the bloc's role and position in the region, but also on its ability to close ranks and reinforce its centrality from within.
"Ideally, ASEAN member states themselves have to insist on it, that ASEAN is always a central and pivotal actor as a grouping.
"ASEAN also has to do a lot of work to make sure that it does really become what it aspires to be, which is a single economic community that is strong, vibrant,” Phar, who was a former ASEAN Secretariat official, told Bernama.
He said greater efforts are required to enhance labour mobility, digital connectivity, and government-to-government cooperation among member states.
Meanwhile, Dr Rahul Mishra, Associate Professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University’s (JNU) Centre for Indo-Pacific Studies, said while ASEAN has shown considerable normative appeal in managing internal and external challenges, more still needs to be done to safeguard its centrality and strategic interests.
The growing competition between the US and China, and the fast-escalating South China Sea dispute pose tremendous challenges, and ASEAN must now match its increasing diplomatic influence with stronger practical and functional cooperation with its partners.
"ASEAN must move beyond the realm of dialogues and intent to work with its partners and focus on translating its promises into action, especially in intra-regional and regional security domains, seamless physical and digital connectivity, regional economic integration, dispute resolution, and in managing relations with superpowers.
Additionally, the Myanmar crisis and growing threat of cyber scams emanating from the region must be dealt with in a more resolute, coordinated, and time-bound manner.
"Unless ASEAN addresses these pressing regional challenges head-on, it would be difficult for the organisation to remain relevant in regional security dynamics,” he added.
ASEAN has recently expanded its external engagement to 12 partners, following an elevation of Turkiye’s status to a full dialogue partner.
The Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) which marks its 50th year this year, also saw the number of High Contracting Parties rise to 62 from 58, following the accession of Sweden, Poland, Romania, and Lithuania last month.
Established on August 8, 1967, by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand, ASEAN has since expanded to a total of 11 members following the inclusion of Brunei in 1984, Vietnam (1995), Laos (1997), Myanmar (1997), and Cambodia (1999). Timor-Leste, its newest member, was admitted during the 47th ASEAN Summit in October last year.
This year’s ASEAN Day celebration was held under the theme "Navigating Our Future Together,” which is also the theme of ASEAN 2026 under the chairmanship of the Philippines.
-- BERNAMA
