Forging greater connectivity between Asia and Europe

In reality, this commitment still remains on the waiting list for an unpredictable period of time. This is regrettable, as in 2016 Asian and European leaders themselves highlighted in Ulaanbaatar the key role of the UN in maintaining international peace and security, promoting inclusive and sustainable development, protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms and effectively addressing current and emerging global challenges. 

Reiterating the importance of building a more effective multilateral system based on international law, ASEM pledged to continue to uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and their universality, promoting disarmament and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction.

From the reality of unaccomplished commitments it appears that an urgent determination for more innovative and galvanizing diplomatic efforts is needed to find a more workable organizational identity for ASEM to enable it to  fully implement its promises. Informality should not lead to passivity. A more creative approach from its 53 participants is of cardinal importance in order to give tangibility to ASEM’s foundational mandate and ideals.

It should not be forgotten that the ASEM members now account for approximately 60 percent of global output, trade, and population and their diplomatic movements should generate a higher political visibility.

If there are meaningful consultations under ASEM’s auspices at the UN, it would give this forum instant and useful visibility among 193 countries.

In 2016, ASEM is expected to offer a more persuasive recognition of its own political relevance and of its growing strategic importance as a primordial vehicle able to promote partnership for dialogue and cooperation between two continents which are strongly confronted now with serious challenges.

These challenges have also been critically assessed by over 750 participants, representing social movements, people’s organizations and citizens from 42 countries across Asia and Europe who joined together in July 2016 in Ulaanbaatar at the 11th Asia Europe People’s Forum. The conclusions of this non-governmental forum have been summarized in a Final Declaration with the symbolic title “Building New Solidarities: Working for Inclusive, Just, and Equal Alternatives in Asia and Europe.” 

The 12th ASEM Summit will be held in 2018 in Brussels, Belgium, and will be chaired by the European Union. Can the 12th ASEM Summit become a really memorable event? It depends on the visibility, credibility and practical impact of action-oriented events to be sponsored under the auspices of ASEM itself on the basis of Ulanbaatar commitments.

In multilateral diplomacy adequate and purposeful preparation is the best component of fruitful summitry. To be genuinely successful, ASEM has to be more proactive and less reactive in approaching regional and global issues, thus increasing its diplomatic potentiality during the current era of global vulnerabilities, perplexities and discontinuities.