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Opinion: ASEAN Centrality and the Challenge of Advancing Difficult Collective Agendas - Thai Enquirer Main
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For decades, the idea of ASEAN centrality has been a cornerstone of regional diplomacy in Southeast Asia. The concept refers to the ability of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to serve as the primary convening power and strategic hub for political, economic, and security cooperation in the region.
Key facts
- They require deeper cooperation, stronger institutions, and a willingness among member states to move beyond the traditional norms of consensus and non-interference
- Among the most consequential initiatives would be the creation of a regional maritime force capable of controlling strategic sea lanes such as the Malacca Strait, the development of an integrated regional energy grid supported by renewable
- Each of these initiatives would significantly enhance ASEAN’s ability to safeguard its collective interests
- Yet each also faces formidable obstacles stemming from intra-regional rivalries, political instability within member states, and the competing influence of external great powers.
Summary
For decades, the idea of ASEAN centrality has been a cornerstone of regional diplomacy in Southeast Asia. The concept refers to the ability of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to serve as the primary convening power and strategic hub for political, economic, and security cooperation in the region.
These agendas are not easy. They require deeper cooperation, stronger institutions, and a willingness among member states to move beyond the traditional norms of consensus and non-interference.
The Strategic Meaning of ASEAN Centrality