ARTICLES

22 Sep 2022

Unifying Halal Product Certification: ASEAN’s Challenge

Faegheh Shirazi

Halal certification for certain food and drink products is a tricky area and universal standards should be set to better reflect halal consumer needs and religious principles.

7 Sep 2022

ASEAN and Taiwan: Cooperation Opportunities amid Diplomatic Constraints

Melinda Martinus

While there are risks involved in pursuing deeper cooperation with Taiwan beyond trade and economics, ASEAN should not shy away from exploring possibilities even while abiding by the 'One China' policy.

ASEAN Asean Trade Economic Development Foreign Direct Investment Taiwan

1 Sep 2022

Has ASEAN Lost its Appeal to the United Kingdom?

Joanne Lin

The race for the leadership of the Conservative Party has thrown up few clues about London’s approach to ASEAN and the wider Indo-Pacific. Whoever wins, there is reason to believe that the United Kingdom will retain its strong institutional ties to the region.

ASEAN United Kingdom

29 Aug 2022

Cutting Methane Emissions: Different Strokes for Different Folks

Qiu Jiahui

Many ASEAN countries have adopted ambitious goals to cut their methane emissions. But they might need to use diverse approaches to address the issue.

ASEAN Climate Change Environment

12 Aug 2022

The G7’s Global Infrastructure and Investment Drive: Not So Attractive For Southeast Asia

Chanrith Ngin

The Group of 7’s new infrastructure and investment drive seeks to provide what Southeast Asia needs, such as financing for hard infrastructure. But the need for multiple stakeholders and financing issues might not garner much buy-in from the region.

ASEAN Belt and Road Initiative G7 Infrastructure

12 Aug 2022

When Lack of Jaw Jaw Might Lead to War War

William Choong

Washington and Beijing’s refusal to talk calmly to each other about the ongoing Taiwan crisis raises the stakes for Southeast Asia, which is already dealing with the repercussions of the chill between the great powers.

ASEAN ASEAN-China Relations ASEAN-U.S. Relations China-U.S. Relations

11 Aug 2022

Is the ASEAN Secretariat Overdue for a Renewed Mandate?

Joanne Lin

As ASEAN marks 55 years of existence, the pressing challenge of strengthening and empowering its Secretariat needs to be faced if the organisation is to remain relevant.

ASEAN International Relations

8 Aug 2022

55th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting: Much Ado About Everything (or Nothing)?

Sharon Seah|Joanne Lin|Melinda Martinus

The ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meetings last week occurred at a time when the region was seeing ructions, be it in the Taiwan Strait, Myanmar or the war in Ukraine. ASEAN can boast that it has retained its convening power, but this in itself might be insufficient.

ASEAN ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting China-U.S. Relations Diplomacy Myanmar Ukraine

3 Aug 2022

Ukraine’s Accession to TAC: A Critical Decision for ASEAN

Joanne Lin

ASEAN has a chance to stand up for international peace by allowing Ukraine to accede to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation. Failing to do so would highlight the weakness of the organisation at a time when small and medium states need to hold firm against great power bullying.

ASEAN ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting Russia Ukraine

28 Jul 2022

Promoting Inclusive Growth with Digital Identification in ASEAN

Sithanonxay Suvannaphakdy

Digital identification could be a silver bullet to increase tax revenues for ASEAN governments while pulling the region’s poorest out of poverty by redistributing wealth.

ASEAN Digitalisation