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To remain relevant, ASEAN must address the crucial issues in its vision 2045
ASEAN must develop a more cohesive structure for conflict prevention, crisis management and conflict resolution to address internal issues such as the Myanmar crisis.
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Maximum security: Security troops walk past the National Convention Center in Vientiane on Oct. 6, 2024. The center is hosting the ASEAN Summit, which will run until Friday. (Antara/M Agung Rajasa)
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SEAN heads of state and government are gathering in Vientiane this week to mark the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits. The ASEAN Summit is the highest decision-making body and presents a pivotal moment for ASEAN leaders to reflect and take bold action.
With the formulation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 on the horizon, the time is ripe for a bold reimagining of ASEAN's role and capabilities in the ever-changing global arena.
ASEAN envisions becoming a resilient, innovative, dynamic and people-centered community by 2045, which cannot become a reality without addressing the pressing internal challenges that have hindered the organization’s effectiveness and global relevance.
The criticisms faced by ASEAN for handling the Myanmar crisis, the unresolved South China Sea disputes, and the tepid response to the escalating United States-China conflict are not mere noise. These are symptomatic of deeper systemic issues within ASEAN's institutional, decision-making and regional coordination capacities. It is time to confront the “elephant in the room” - ASEAN's current inability to respond effectively to crises threatens its relevance.
ASEAN must embark on a path of substantial institutional reform to overcome this existential threat. Strengthening its institutions, enhancing decision-making mechanisms, ensuring agreement enforcement and promoting regional cooperation are non-negotiable steps toward sustaining ASEAN's role as a key regional player in the global order.
Therefore, the following proposed measures for ASEAN’s institutional reform are timely and essential.
First, strengthening ASEAN’s institutional capacity. ASEAN possesses significant convening power and should leverage it to reinforce the importance of multilateralism in the region. There is a pressing need for ASEAN to enhance its institutional capacity and efficacy, requiring a thorough review of the ASEAN Charter and potential amendments as necessary.
