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Asean Plots Its Future Course
Dion Bisara | November 17, 2011

Leaders of Southeast Asian countries pose for a group photo during the opening ceremony of the Asean Summit in Nusa Dua, Bali, on Thursday. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara) Leaders of Southeast Asian countries pose for a group photo during the opening ceremony of the Asean Summit in Nusa Dua, Bali, on Thursday. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)
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DrDez
9:04am Nov 18, 2011

I actually think SBY has had a decent run as chair - certainly on conflict resolution

However it remains a talking shop and not much else

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Nusa Dua. Leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on Thursday agreed to a road map that they see leading to a more integrated bloc with a greater voice in global affairs.

The Bali Concord III, signed by the leaders of the 10 member states, outlines strategies for strengthening each of the Asean community’s three pillars — security, economic and sociocultural.

Among the details of the declaration are how the Asean member countries can bolster cooperation in conflict resolution, fighting transnational crimes, corruption eradication and nuclear disarmament.

As part of the group’s goal to become an integrated economic community by 2015, the declaration also calls for the adoption of regionwide production standards, a distribution system for commodities, increased openness, technological progress and energy diversification.

Speaking at the opening of the summit on Thursday, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said the leaders needed to take concrete steps to strengthen the Asean community.

“Building the Asean community should involve all the stakeholders in the region,” he said. “Asean should become a community that is people-oriented, people-centered and people-driven.”

He also urged Asean to take measures to strengthen the region’s economic development and make it more resilient to a volatile global economy.

“We must take the lead as efficient and effective architects of cooperation in the region,” Yudhoyono said. “Asean should be capable of safeguarding its centrality and leadership in all of its interactions, both abroad and during intraregional talks.”

He also said that to maintain stability and security in Southeast Asia and East Asia, Asean had to take the initiative to facilitate conflict resolution.

“In an increasingly complex and linked world, Asean should be at the forefront in overcoming the various challenges we face,” the president said. “Asean should not be a mere passive observer.”

Despite doubts voiced by many summit participants — including US President Barack Obama — about Burma’s human rights record and commitment to democracy, the summit agreed to let the country chair Asean in 2014.

Burma had been forced to give up its turn to chair the block in 2006 because of its poor human rights record.

The Asean summit will be followed first by a series of summits between Asean and its major trading partners. On Saturday, the East Asia Summit will see the participation of two countries for the first time: the United States and the Russian Federation.