ASEAN and Global Peace and Stability Outline of the talk by Rodolfo C. Severino, Head, ASEAN Studies Centre, Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Singapore, at the International Conference on Global Peace and Stability for Development Madrid, 15 November 2011

ASEAN and global peace, stability 1.Trying to prevent conflict in region: – Peace among members – situation in 1967: Malaysia territorial disputes with neighbours, Philippine claim to Sabah, Indonesia being transformed and emerging from konfrontasi, Singapore and Malaysia had just undergone acrimonious deparation, Thailand under threat from Indochina war

ASEAN and global peace, stability – Indochina war raging – GPCR spilling over to SE Asia – Communist insurgencies – Cold War at its height 2. Upholding principle of no regime change by outside force (Vietnam-Cambodia problem) 3. Keeping region out of major-power conflict

ASEAN and global peace, stability 4. Mutual reassurance: TAC: codified principles in inter-state relations : – Peaceful settlement of disputes – No use or threat of force – Non-interference in domestic affairs SEANWFZ: mutual reassurance – Not to manufacture, deploy or otherwise develop or use nuclear weapons – Not to allow others to do so

ASEAN and global peace, stability 5. Non-interference – Not unique to ASEAN – Vital for ASEAN: religious, ethnic minorities straddling national boundaries 6. Consensus – Nobody loses – Everybody saves face – Alternatives too divisive

ASEAN and global peace, stability 7. Engagement of all major powers thru inclusive, balanced, non-confrontational means (Dialogue, ARF, ASEAN+3, EAS) 8. Discouraging Cold War divisions; friend to all, enemy to none

ASEAN and global peace, stability FTAs as political expressions: – China – Japan – ROK – India – Australia/New Zealand

Economic integration Facing challenges from: – Globalisation (WTO) – Regionalisation (MERCOSUR, NAFTA, EU) – Continent-sized economies (China, India) AFTA: – Tariff reduction, eventual abolition – Removal of NTBs AHTN

Economic integration Commitments to: – Customs reform: transparency, efficiency, simplicity, regional cooperation – Liberalisation of trade in services – Product standards and MRAs – Investment protection and joint promotion – Connectivity: Infrastructure Facilitation People contacts

Economic integration Commitments important – recognition of desirability of REI But little or no implementation: – Inadequate knowledge – Lack of human resources and/or equipment – Protectionist lobbies – Fearful bureaucrats

Regional cooperation Environment: – Marine water quality standards – Networks of heritage parks and other protected areas – Network of sustainable cities – Haze agreement

Regional cooperation Operational cooperation against transnational crime Political opposition to: – International terrorism – Drug-trafficking – Trafficking in persons – Exploitation of women and children

Regional cooperation Regional identity: – Ship for South East Asian Youth – Friendship Programme for the 21 st Century – Youth Camps – Information work of member-states – Professional, business, sports, leisure, hobby groups increasingly organised on ASEAN basis – Freer movement of people needed

ASEAN and global peace, stability Regional identity crucial for political support for peace and stability and for economic integration In the end, understanding and friendships among people critical for regional peace, stability