ASEAN Regional Forum Prof. Philip Yang National Taiwan University 2018/11/14

Background The ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) was established in 1994. It draws together 27 countries which have an impact on or are involved in the security of the Asia Pacific region. 2018/11/14

one ASEAN observer (PNG) , 27 countries：the 10 ASEAN member states (Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam) the 10 ASEAN dialogue partners (Australia, Canada, China, the EU, India, Japan, New Zealand, ROK, Russia and the United States), one ASEAN observer (PNG) , also the DPRK, Mongolia, Pakistan, East Timor, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. 2018/11/14

ARF meetings are held at the Foreign Minister level, annually in late July, in conjunction with the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference (PMC). Chairmanship of the ARF is in line with the annual rotation of the Chairmanship of ASEAN. 2018/11/14

The ARF is the principal forum for security dialogue in Asia, complementing the various bilateral alliances and dialogues. It provides a setting in which members can discuss current regional security issues and develop cooperative measures to enhance peace and security in the region. 2018/11/14

Objectives of ARF First ARF Chairman's Statement : to foster constructive dialogue and consultation on political and security issues of common interest and concern; and to make significant contributions to efforts towards confidence-building and preventive diplomacy in the Asia-Pacific region. 2018/11/14

ARF Organization and Activities The ARF is characterized by minimal institutionalization and consensus decision-making. I. Foreign Ministers Meeting II. Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) III. First Track Meeting IV. Second Track Meeting V. Expert Level 2018/11/14

First Track Meeting Inter-Sessional Meeting (ISM) Inter-sessional Support Group (ISG) ISM on Peacekeeping Operations ISM on Search and Rescue ISM on Disaster Relief ISG on CBMs 2018/11/14

Second Track Meeting Seminar on Peacekeeping Seminar on Principles of Security and Stability Seminar on Preventive Diplomacy Seminar on Approaches to Confidence Building  Seminar on Non-Proliferation 2018/11/14

Expert Level Meeting of Heads of National Defense Colleges Demining Course Search and Rescue Coordination and Cooperation Seminar on the Production of Defence Policy Documents Disaster Relief Experts Group Meeting of Specialist Officials on Maritime Issues 2018/11/14

Recent ARF Meetings December 2002 - Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Seminar, Singapore June 2003 - ARF CBM Workshop on Managing the Consequences of a Major Terrorist Attack, Australia 2018/11/14

ARF MM, 2001, Hanoi 2018/11/14

ARF MM, 2006, Malaysia 2018/11/14

ARF Documents Chairman’s Statement from ARF MM Co-Chair’s Summary Report from ARF Intersessional Meetins 2018/11/14

Development of the ARF The ARF is characterized by consensus decision making and minimal institutionalization. The 1995 ARF Concept Paper set out a three-stage, evolutionary approach to the ARF's development, moving from confidence-building to preventive diplomacy and, in the long term, towards a conflict resolution capability. 2018/11/14

In its first ten years, the ARF has made modest gains in building a sense of strategic community and, more recently, it has contributed to the region's counter terrorism work. But efforts to develop tools of preventive diplomacy and conflict management are still at an early stage. 2018/11/14

Concept Paper on ARF, 1995 A gradual evolutionary approach is required. Stage I : Promotion of Confidence- Building Measures Stage II: Development of Preventive Diplomacy Mechanisms Stage III: Development of Conflict- Resolution Mechanisms 2018/11/14

Confidence-building measures (CBMs) Limiting or reducing the level of fear among parties in conflict is essential for building confidence and a sense of security. Confidence-building measures (CBMs) aim to lessen anxiety and suspicion by making the parties' behavior more predictable. CBMs are agreements between two or more parties regarding exchanges of information and verification, typically with respect to the use of military forces and armaments. 2018/11/14

CBMs typically rely on tools for maintaining direct and quick communication and monitoring among governments and military forces. Such communication measures include hotlines, regional communication centers to assist parties in crisis management, and regularly scheduled consultations among officials of the armed forces. 2018/11/14

While a single CBM is unlikely to prevent conflict or contribute to peacebuilding, a series of such agreements can allow for an increased sense of security. In time, such measures may even lead to changed understanding of a country's security needs. Some common CBMs are agreements meant to give each party assurance that the other is not preparing for surprise military action or pursuing policies associated with such future action. 2018/11/14

The ARF's work program includes encouragement and development of confidence-building measures, such as promoting participation in international arms control and non-proliferation regimes and the production of Annual Security Outlooks by participating states. 2018/11/14

Since 2000, the ARF has begun to develop its preventive diplomacy function, focusing on concepts and principles of preventive diplomacy as a framework for ARF activities. Specific tools are foreseen in efforts to enhance the role of the ARF Chair develop an experts/eminent persons register. 2018/11/14

Preventive Diplomacy PD is diplomatic and political action : to help prevent disputes and conflicts from arising between States that could potentially pose a threat to regional peace and stability; to help prevent such disputes and conflicts from escalating into armed confrontation; to help minimise the impact of such disputes and conflicts on the region 2018/11/14

Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia Pacific (CSCAP) 2018/11/14

Established in 1993, the CSCAP has been described as 'the most ambitious proposal to date for a regularized, focused and inclusive non-governmental, second track process on Asia Pacific security matters'. 2018/11/14

CSCAP Working Groups Maritime Cooperation North Pacific Dialogue Comprehensive and Cooperative Security CSBMs (including transparency) Transnational Crime 2018/11/14

Discussion Question Fukushima argues: 'When compared to the European security architecture, Asian security architecture is a pale shadow.' Why does he believe this to be the case? What factors will influence the future evolution of the ARF? 2018/11/14