ASEANFocus+ is pleased to feature H.E. Elizabeth P. Buensuceso, the Philippines’ Eminent Person to the High-Level Task Force (HLTF) on the Post-2025 ASEAN Community Vision (ACV). As the ACV 2045 was adopted at the 46th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Ambassador Buensuceso offers insights into its development, sharing the formulation process and how the ACV 2045 will help ASEAN navigate an increasingly complex and rapidly evolving geopolitical environment.
Category Archives: ASEANFocus
Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship: Laying the Groundwork for Vision 2045
Joanne Lin, Melinda Martinus and Kristina Fong analyse how Malaysia’s ASEAN chairmanship and Vision 2045 reflect ASEAN’s strategic recalibration amid rising geopolitical uncertainty.
The Inaugural ASEAN-GCC-China Summit: Economic Aspirations Amid Strategic Ambiguity
Sufian Jusoh and Joanne Lin assess Malaysia’s bold initiative to host the inaugural ASEAN-GCC-China Summit, exploring its strategic rationale, economic potential, and the implications for ASEAN’s centrality in a shifting global order.
An Intelligent Trade-Off: AI as a Double-Edged Sword in Southeast Asia’s Climate Battle
Indira Zahra Aridati argues that although AI offers positive benefits for Southeast Asia’s climate battle, the region should not look at its usage through rose-tinted glasses. Without careful consideration, such systems may inadvertently undermine and be counterintuitive to the very climate goals that they aim to achieve.
ASEAN Can Help to Address Brain Drain in Southeast Asia
Melinda Martinus argues that while individual ASEAN member states are ramping up efforts to reverse brain drain, the region can explore a more coordinated approach to tackle this growing challenge.
ASEAN–Korea Relations: Achieving a Resilient Partnership
ASEANFocus+ is privileged to interview His Excellency Lee Jang-keun, the Republic of Korea’s (ROK) Ambassador to ASEAN, as ASEAN-ROK relations enter a new phase. Last year, the partnership was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) as both sides celebrated the 35th anniversary of their dialogue relations. This is a testament to the depth and significance of ASEAN-Korea relations amid shifting geostrategic dynamics. As we look ahead, how can ASEAN and the ROK work together to navigate uncertainties, strengthen regional cooperation, and unlock new opportunities? Ambassador Lee shares his insights on these critical questions and the ROK’s vision for deepening its partnership with ASEAN.
Great Power Competition in Technology: Implications for ASEAN
Amid great power tensions, Elina Noor suggests measures that ASEAN can take to proactively shape its technological future, highlighting the importance of a people-centred approach.
Southeast Asia Will Be Challenged by Trump 2.0
Sarang Shidore suggests that deeper intra-ASEAN coordination could help the region cope amidst uncertainties surrounding US foreign policy under Trump 2.0.
Lao PDR’s ASEAN Chairmanship 2024: Advancing Regional Economic Integration, Connectivity and Resilience
Sithanonxay Suvannaphakdy evaluates how the key achievements of Lao PDR’s ASEAN chairmanship contributed to the region’s resilience and unity.
Roundtable on the Return of Trump and Implications for ASEAN-US Relations
The re-election of Donald Trump as the President of the US for a second term is poised to reshape the trajectory of ASEAN-US relations, bringing significant shifts across multiple domains. In December, ASEANFocus+ sought experts’ insights on how the dynamics of this partnership are expected to evolve, in areas of geopolitics, trade, the South China Sea, technological governance, energy, and environmental cooperation.