While ASEAN stands for Association of Southeast Asian Nations, it’s determined to get involved in addressing global issues. ASEAN choose to do it not with military approach, but through soft diplomacy which is involving multilateral engagement, economic cooperation, and dialogue. Here’s how ASEAN has proven itself in playing a significant role in addressing both regional and global issues.
Disputes of the South China Sea
For a long time, territorial disputes often occur in the South China Sea which is involving several countries such as the Philippines, China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei. While the problems would appear to be regional, but the implications could be significant for the rest of the world. Which is why ASEAN has been playing an important role to mediate and engage dialogues.
One of the most important examples of this is when in 2002, ASEAN and China successfully signed the DOC or Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. This agreement was emphasizing peaceful resolution and avoidance of any aggressive actions. While the agreement was non-binding since ASEAN can’t impose that, it was a major step addressing the long and ongoing conflict.
Crisis in Myanmar
As we all know, Myanmar is currently in a state of war between the pro-democracy resistance and the military junta. After the coup in 2021, ASEAN members were quite divided on how to respond to the dire situation. But in the same year, ASEAN reached a Five-Point Consensus that was a calling for cessation of violence, humanitarian assistance and peaceful dialogue.
While the impact of the consensus and other actions are very limited as Myanmar is still in turmoil, it was important to put some pressure on the military junta. Not only that, it was also crucial to make sure that humanitarian aids are able to enter the country to prevent further decline and instability which could spread to the neighboring countries.
ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF)
In 1994, a multilateral dialogue involving 27 countries including major global powers such as the US, China, Japan, Russia, India and the European Union was formed. The focus of ARF is on issues of security in the region of Asia-Pacific. With this forum, ASEAN hope that it would create a safe space for engaging dialogues addressing any security concern in order to foster understanding and preventing major conflicts.
The ARF doesn’t and unable to solve any conflict directly, but its role that enables peaceful and calm discussions is crucial in creating and preserving peaceful atmosphere in Asia-Pacific. It even played a significant role in during the high tension period between the US and North Korea by preventing any military action and providing mediation.
Cambodian – Vietnamese War
Source: Cambodianess.
From 1975 to 1979, Cambodia was ruled by a blood-thirsty dictator called Pol Pot with his Khmer Rouge regime. Viet Nam invaded Cambodia in 1978 after a series of attacks from Pol Pot and his regime which resulted in Khmer Rouge downfall. After that, the country was left in ruin in various aspects such as economically, mentally, and politically. ASEAN played its role in helping Cambodia recover and then transition to more stable power.
ASEAN’s role was crucial since it was able to lead the peaceful dialogues and helped various factions within the country, including the Vietnamese fighting for power to reconcile. The culmination of this amazing effort was the Paris Peace Agreements in 1991 which marked the official end of the Cambodian – Vietnamese war and restored Cambodia’s sovereignty.
