Southeast Asian leaders convened in Vientiane to address Myanmar’s civil war and tensions in the South China Sea at the annual ASEAN summit. Key global powers, such as the US and China, will also participate, reflecting the region’s strategic importance. As ASEAN faces credibility issues amid these challenges, the summit will seek to uphold unity and cooperation among member states while navigating complex regional dynamics.
Southeast Asian leaders convened in Vientiane, Laos, for an annual summit focused on addressing the ongoing civil war in Myanmar and escalating territorial disputes in the South China Sea—issues that have significantly challenged ASEAN’s credibility. This meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is particularly pivotal as it will be followed by discussions with global powers such as China, the United States, and Russia, who are vying for influence in the region. The forum is also expected to address the intensifying violence in the Middle East, despite Southeast Asia experiencing only ripple effects from such conflicts. Although ASEAN’s influence has been historically limited, it has frequently provided a platform for dialogues among the superpowers aiming to engage with the nations of Southeast Asia. Consisting of ten member states—Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Myanmar, Cambodia, Brunei, and Laos—ASEAN will hold discussions with regional partners including Japan, South Korea, India, and Australia. Topics will span economic cooperation, climate change, and energy. Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone welcomed new leaders from Thailand and Singapore, emphasizing Laos’ commitment to helping fellow members navigate geopolitical and economic challenges under its chairmanship. He stated, “We help one another, and work together the ASEAN way,” highlighting the need for unity and collaboration among member states and their dialogue partners. The summit sees Thailand’s new Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who is 38 years old, and Singapore’s Lawrence Wong as prominent attendees alongside Vietnam’s representation by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo, however, is absent, delegating Vice President Ma’ruf Amin to represent the nation. Prominent discussions will likely center on US-China relations amidst growing tensions over Beijing’s assertiveness in the South China Sea. Dan Kritenbrink, a senior US diplomat for Asia, indicated that “a number of (China)-related issues are likely to come up” during the meetings. The unresolved territorial claims in the South China Sea, with overlapping claims from ASEAN members and China, will also be under scrutiny, as will efforts towards a non-binding code of conduct governing conduct in these contested waters. The Myanmar crisis remains a significant point of contention for ASEAN, with substantial loss of life and displacement since the military coup ousted the government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021. Despite the junta professing its agreement to an ASEAN peace plan, active military confrontations continue across Myanmar. In December, Thailand is expected to facilitate informal consultations on the Myanmar situation, although attendance from the junta remains uncertain. Myanmar’s representation at the summit includes Foreign Ministry Permanent Secretary Aung Kyaw Moe, marking the first high-level participation since the country was barred from sending political representatives in 2021. Observers indicate this move raises concerns regarding ASEAN’s capacity to manage the crisis effectively. In summary, ASEAN’s effectiveness as a diplomatic entity is put to the test during this summit, with pressing issues related to Myanmar’s civil unrest and South China Sea disputes posing significant challenges to regional unity and cooperation. The outcomes of these discussions will be pivotal in shaping ASEAN’s future engagements with both internal and external actors.
The ongoing civil war in Myanmar, which began following a military coup in February 2021, has led to severe humanitarian crises, with thousands killed and millions displaced. ASEAN’s response has been limited, and the organization faces criticism over its ability to effectively mediate the conflict. Meanwhile, rising tensions in the South China Sea, where several ASEAN nations have overlapping territorial claims with China, continue to complicate regional security dynamics. The current summit is a crucial opportunity for ASEAN to demonstrate leadership and coherence in addressing these intertwined issues while balancing relations with major external powers such as the US and China.
The ASEAN summit in Laos serves as a critical juncture for the Southeast Asian bloc, confronting significant challenges posed by the civil unrest in Myanmar and the ongoing territorial disputes in the South China Sea. The participation of new leaders and global powers emphasizes the importance of this forum as a platform for dialogue. However, the limited outcomes from previous attempts to address these crises highlight ASEAN’s credibility challenges. The continued cooperation and unity among member states, along with effective engagement with external partners, will be crucial for ASEAN’s future role in regional stability.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
