Enhancing Asean's credibility

Beyond the devastating Cyclone Nargis in Burma, the high frequency of natural disasters in Asia demands a realistic and responsible evaluation of the effectiveness of legal regimes in this field. Promoting an effective regional diplomacy for a safer world is not a slogan, but a cardinal requirement of the day.

Disaster relief dominated discussions at the recent Asean Regional Forum (ARF) in Singapore. An ambitious plan to pool international assets, including military support, to tackle natural disasters in a region beset by cyclones, earthquakes and floods was announced by the ARF session of foreign ministers of 26 countries and the European Union. A joint relief exercise will be organised in 2009.

Working with others

Meanwhile, Asean's relations with European countries will pass a new test within the framework of the Asia-Europe Meeting (Asem). Since its first Summit in Bangkok in 1996, Asem has grown in strength, with the number of its partners rising from 26 to 45, including all Asean members, as well as the Asean Secretariat. This forum represents 60 per cent of the world's population, over 50 per cent of global GDP, and about 60 per cent of global trade.

China will host the Asem 7 Summit in Beijing on October 24-25, 2008 with the theme of ''Vision and Action: Towards a Win-Win Solution.'' If Asem becomes a stronger inter-regional platform for comprehensive cooperation in economy, trade, finance, science, culture and education, it would have a positive influence on Asean's relations with Europe.

Thus, Asean countries' contributions to the Asem 7 Summit may help turn it into a major event of multilateral diplomacy with a direct beneficial impact for the geographical area covered by Asean and for the new partnership paradigm of this regional organisation with Europe.

Asean diplomatic relevance cannot be taken for granted. Diplomacy without credibility is non-productive. Asean's inability to persuade the Burmese junta to reform has already affected its reputation. However, there are reasons for moderate optimism. Indeed, Asean can be the driving force in its relations and co-operation with all its partners in a regional architecture that is open, transparent and inclusive.

Asean's credibility, visibility, centrality and effectiveness can be improved. The resistance to change can be overcome. As emphasised by Asean Secretary- General Surin Pitsuwan, the commitment of all Asean members to transform their organisation into a people-oriented New Asean is genuine.

Asean needs assistance from civil society in this transformation. Popular support can further strengthen the political will to make Asean a truly successful institution. That requires energetic efforts for the enhancement of Asean's role in world affairs. It can become a dynamic diplomatic partner, able to bring a valuable contribution to the solution of major regional and global problems.