Country Presentation, presented at the Clingendael Institute, December 2011

1. Country Presentation – Clingendael Institute, December 2011
ISSUE BRIEF: TOWARDS ASEAN COMMUNITY 2015 AND BEYOND – INDONESIA’S PERSPECTIVE
Indonesia is currently Chairman of ASEAN for the year 2011. This is the result of the decision at the
16th ASEAN Summit in Ha Noi, Viet Nam in October 2010, where ASEAN Leaders endorsed the
exchange between Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam in their turns for the ASEAN Chairmanship and
welcomed Indonesia as the ASEAN Chair for 2011.
During its chairmanship, Indonesia lead ASEAN to achieve three common priorities, namely: (1) To
ensure significant progress in achieving the ASEAN Community by 2015 in all the three pillars of
ASEAN, (2) To ensure that the regional architecture and regional environment remain conducive to the
national development of the ASEAN members, (3) To commence the formulation of a post-2015 vision
where ASEAN has an enhanced role in a global community of nations.
The above priorities are based on the transformation of ASEAN so far, starting from Bangkok
Declaration (1967), Bali Concord I (1976), Bali Concord II (2003), Cebu Declaration on the
acceleration of the attainment ASEAN Community 2015 (2007), ASEAN Charter and its three
Blueprints (2008) and the future vision of ASEAN Community in the Global Community of Nations.
At the end of its chairmanship (after the 19th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits), Indonesia has
successfully brought ASEAN closer to the attainment of ASEAN Community 2015 by achieving the
following, among others:
o Priority one: APSC: recommendation to establish the ASEAN Institute for Peace and
Reconciliation (AIPR) by 2012; strengthening maritime cooperation through ASEAN Maritime
Forum (AMF); accomplishment of negotiation between ASEAN and Nuclear Weapon States
(NWSs) on the accession of NWSs to the Protocol of the SEANWFZ Treaty; agreement to draft an
ASEAN Human Rights Declaration; conduct feasibility study on ASEAN common visa for non-
ASEAN nationals. AEC: strengthening ASEAN Single Window (ASW) and establishment of
National Single Window (NSW); harmonization of regulations (e.g. customs, immigration,
quarantine); progress in trade in services - 8th Package of Commitments under the ASEAN
Framework Agreement on Services (AFAS); ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserves.
ASCC: ASEAN Declaration of Commitment: Getting to Zero New HIV Infections, Zero
Discrimination, Zero AIDS-related Deaths; Bali Declaration on the Enhancement of the Role and
Participation of Persons with Disabilities in the ASEAN Community; Agreement of the
Establishment of ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster
Management (AHA Centre); Declaration on ASEAN Unity in Diversity: Towards Strengthening
ASEAN Community.
o Priority two: Signing of declaration to accede to TAC by Brazil; Strengthened relations with
Dialogue Partners (related summits); Adoption of the Guidelines of the Declaration on the Conduct
of Parties to the South China Sea (DOC); Resumption of Direct Talks between the ROK and the
DPRK at the sidelines of the AMM/PMC in Bali; East Asia Summit: Adoption of the Declaration
of the East Asia Summit on the Principles for Mutually Beneficial Relations and Adoption of the
Declaration of the 6th East Asia Summit on ASEAN Connectivity.
o Priority three: Signing of the Bali Declaration on ASEAN Community in a Global Community of
Nations (Bali Concord III).
Way forward: ASEAN needs to develop an action plan to implement the Bali Concord III (2012-2022),
based on the four characteristics stipulated in the Bali Concord III, which emphasize on a more
coordinated, cohesive, and coherent ASEAN position on global issues of common interest and concern;
an enhanced ASEAN capacity to contribute and respond to key global issues of common interest and
concern; a strengthened ASEAN Community centered on ASEAN as a rules-based organization; and a
strengthened capacity of the ASEAN Secretariat. This undertaking will eventually lead ASEAN to attain
its strategic objectives namely: to advance ASEAN’s common interests and concerns at the global level;
to have greater role as part of the solutions to common challenges; and to establish ASEAN as a reliable
regional player in the global community of nations.
--ooOoo--