ARTICLES

26 Mar 2020

Covid-19 Doesn’t Just Take Lives. It Also Takes Livelihoods

Michael Schaper

The economic storm stemming from the Covid-19 pandemic is taking its toll on businesses. But self-employed workers are taking the brunt of it.

ASEAN COVID-19

1 Nov 2019

US Downgrading of Summit Representations Sets Worrying Precedent for ASEAN

Tang Siew Mun|Glenn Ong

The appointment of National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien as the United States' Special Envoy to the East Asia Summit should have been seen as a sign of encouragement due to his close connection to the President. But it may also be perceived as a snub as he will be the first US delegate who is deemed to be not senior enough in the pecking order.

28 Jun 2019

Revised Title ‘ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific’ Hints at Ambivalence

Hoang Thi Ha|Glenn Ong

A shift in semantics in ASEAN's official response to new and emerging Indo-Pacific concepts shows that the grouping has yet to fully internalise the region as part of its strategic culture.

ASEAN Indo-Pacfic

25 Jun 2019

ASEAN, Myanmar, and the Rohingya Issue

Moe Thuzar

Marred by criticisms of being too lenient or too slow, ASEAN's ability to credibly engage Myanmar on the Rohingya issue was discussed at length during the 34th ASEAN Summit. Unfortunately, this decades-long problem is one that needs time and patience to resolve in a meaningful and lasting manner.

ASEAN Myanmar Politics Rohingya

14 Jun 2018

How ASEAN Supports the Korean Peninsula Peace Process

Tang Siew Mun

The historic meeting between US President, Donald Trump, and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) State Affairs Commission Chairman, Mr Kim Jong Un, paved the way for DPRK participation in the ASEAN Regional Forum. With the resumption of trade and bilateral engagement with ASEAN member states, Pyongyang has a higher stake in the maintenance of regional peace and stability.

ASEAN North Korea Trump-Kim Summit

3 May 2018

ASEAN Smart Cities Network: Preparing For the Future

Moe Thuzar

Introduced at the 32nd ASEAN Summit, the ASEAN Smart Cities Network aims to improve the lives of ASEAN citizens using technology as an enabler. Comprising 26 pilot cities across all ten ASEAN member states, it is the first step towards regional cooperation in a digital future.

ASEAN Smart CIties

2 May 2018

Seamless ASEAN Sky: Policymakers Need to Look Beyond Obstacles

Sanchita Basu Das

The 32nd ASEAN Summit ended with a commitment towards a Seamless ASEAN Sky. Both the trajectory to open skies across ASEAN member states will see some turbulence. Necessary reforms are needed to make the concept a reality.

ASEAN ASEAN Open Skies ASEAN Summit

25 Apr 2018

President U Win Myint’s Debut at the ASEAN Summit

Moe Thuzar

Myanmar President U Win Myint's debut at the ASEAN Summit will be watched closely. They will compare his performance to Daw Suu's - in particular, how he will address the Rohingya crisis.

ASEAN Myanmar Rohingya

16 Nov 2017

The ASEAN “Consensus” on Migrant Workers: Not Ideal but a Basis to Continue Working

Moe Thuzar

The fact that Asean has arrived at a consensus on the promotion and protection of migrant workers' rights is a feat in itself. The consensus does not have legal weight, but the expectation is that it would provide some moral suasion for the national implementation of regoinal commitments and the possibility of more mini-lateral initiaitves.

ASEAN Migrant Workers Myanmar

31 Jul 2017

A Futile Call: Making Bahasa Melayu ASEAN’s Official Language

Tang Siew Mun

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib's proposal to adopt the Malay language as ASEAN's “main and official language” is unrealistic and divisive. It could also rollback ASEAN's gains in positioning the regional organisation as a global entity. Instead, it should focus on more urgent and pressing matters of community-building.

ASEAN Bahasa Malaysia Malaysia