ASEAN Organization

1. Introduction
Question: Has Southeast Asia been successful in ceasing conflicts and promoting cooperation? This is the focus
of our group.
TheFutureofASEAN
ASEAN is widely recognized in the international community as an exemplar of enlightened and successful
regionalism. But what precisely constitutes the nature and measure of its achievements?
 In the first place, it is remarkable enough that ASEAN has survived for all of three decades, considering
that at the time of its birth, not a few political observers had predicted that, like its predecessors - the
SEATO, the Association of Southeast Asia (ASA) and the Maphilindo - it would soon wither in the blast of
the complex and unpredictable regional situation, ASEAN proved all its critics wrong and it i s now a
vibrantreality,an Association recognized notonly in its own region but also in the world at large as one of
the most successful regional cooperative schemes".
 The countries in Southeast Asia now constitute one of the most peaceful, stableand prosperous regions in
the world. I don't think this would have been possible if it were not for ASEAN".
And even today, ASEAN's political achievement tends to be cited more spiritedly than its considerable role in the
economic development of its members.
 ASEAN has transformed itself from a small subregional organization into a major influencein world affairs
 During the last 30 years, ASEAN has been able to maintain peace and stability among its Member
Countries despite the many territorial problems and other issues among them
 ASEAN today is the only sub-regional organization in Asia that provides a political forum where Asian
countries and the world Powers can discussand consider problems related to security,political issues and
military concerns".
 The relativepeace, security and stability thatASEAN has helped achieveand maintain in SoutheastAsia as
well as in the entire Asia-Pacific has been good for business. It created a favorable environment where
rapid and sustained economic growth became possible. Economic development, in turn, brought about
social progress and human development.
Just how was ASEAN able to achieve its phenomenal success? There are two reasons for it
 Cooperation for the benefit of all and cooperation for stability and peace of the region
 There is also a very strong commitment to pragmatism
 And ideology has never been a problem to ASEAN. Ideological differences have never interfered in efforts
to cooperate positively for the common good of all and for regional prosperity
ASEAN has acknowledged that periods of rapid social and economic progress are often accompanied by
fundamental shifts in power relations among States. If not managed well, such realignments can lead to conflict.
 At the same time, increased economic globalization, accompanied by structural adjustments of national
economies, can create challenges to social order
 With its rapid economic development, ASEAN also faces some issues related to resource conservation
including environmental protection
 Greater mobility of people, goods and capital also demands sophisticated border security measures and
closer collaboration among States.
The establishment of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) also represents a breakthrough in the history of the
region
 The virtual realization of the vision of the Founding Fathers of ASEAN to have an association of all
Southeast Asian countries is by no means the end of ASEAN history
 ASEAN will have derived its strength not only from unity among governments but unity among its diverse
peoples
 The ASEAN experience and the ASEAN process must reach out to all spectrum of our societies
ASEAN faces the future with confidence
 Its strong foundation and remarkableachievements will serveASEAN well as itpursues higher goals at the
dawn of the new millennium

2.  The ASEAN Heads of Government have reaffirmed succinctly that Cooperative peace and shared
prosperity shall be the fundamental goals of ASEAN
 Towards these goals, ASEAN shall remain a driving force in building a more predictable and constructive
pattern of relationships among nations in the Asia-Pacific region to ensure lasting peace and security.
 Economically,ASEAN shall movetowards greater economic integration with emphasis on sustainable and
equitable growth. Finally, ASEAN shall nourish a caring and cohesive ASEAN community, whose strength
lies in fostering a common regional identity and a shared vision for the future.
ASEAN and ongoing maritime disputes
 ASEAN countries have substantial trade ties with the United States and rely on the sheer firepower of the
US Navy in ongoing maritime disputes in the region, while at the saame time ASEAN countries continue to
benefit from China’s growth
 Malaysia is ASEAN’s blue chip
 In Indonesia, ASEAN’s boom town
 Thailand, which received visits both from President Obama and Premier Wen Jiabao in November, is well
positioned to use its status as a pivot state to enforce ASEAN centrality
 Lastly, there is Myanmar, ASEAN’s biggest attraction. Myanmar stands to gain greatly from regional
cooperation
In many ways, ASEAN is a bastion of growth; it does not suffer from an overwhelming debt burden or
unmanageable unemployment, but these conditions are not a permanent fixture, and global uncertainty and
shocks are imminent.