Illustrative image (Source: ASEAN Briefing) Jakarta (VNA) - The adoption of an ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific (AOPI)at the 34th ASEAN Summit in Bangkok in June has sent a clear messageto extra-regional powers that ASEAN centrality should never be forgotten, saidan Indonesian diplomat.
Speaking at CSISLecture Series on Regional Dynamics themed “Indonesia, ASEAN and theIndo-Pacific: Strategic necessities or norm-setting exercise?” in Jakarta onAugust 28, Ambassador to the UK Rizal Sukma, who is also member of theInternational Maritime Organisation, said one of ASEAN’s strength since itsinception in 1967 has been its ability to survive the power play among greatpowers.
Yet, as the world enters the third decade of the 21st century, the strategicchallenges facing the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) now aredifferent from the past, he said, adding that different challenges requiredifferent responses.
Today, ASEAN finds itself in completely new terrain. The world is undergoingprofound changes, with the old being dismantled and the new yet to emerge, hesaid.
He said AOPI is expected to help maintain ASEAN’s centrality in the evolvingarchitecture in Southeast Asia and adjacent regions, and serve as a bridge in acompetitive environment.
With the adoption of the outlook, Indonesia and other nine members of ASEANpromptly should seize this opportunity to cooperate in economic development,ensuring security, especially maritime security, and proving their roles in theregional architecture with powers outside the region, he suggested.-VNA
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