ASEAN: A Model of Shared Decision-Making and Sustainable Influence
ASEAN should not be seen merely as a "buffer zone" between major global powers, but as a model of shared decision-making and sustainable influence, said Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
ASEAN’s Unique Approach to Regional Cooperation and Diplomacy
During his keynote address at the 15th Asian Conference of the Valdai Discussion Club in Kuala Lumpur, Mohamad highlighted ASEAN’s unique approach to regional cooperation and diplomacy, emphasizing that the organisation’s strength lies in its distinctive model of engagement.
A Model of Shared Decision-Making
"ASEAN’s power lies in the way it represents an entirely different model of engagement. It is one that has been rarely demonstrated in world politics — shared decision-making between states with diverse governance systems," he said.
ASEAN’s Success in Maintaining Sovereignty and Strengthening Economic Ties
Mohamad stated that despite their differences, ASEAN countries have managed to find common ground in ways that allow them to maintain sovereignty while strengthening economic ties across borders. By refusing to take sides in great power competition, ASEAN has been able to maintain access to global markets, secure supply chains, and engage in high-level trade and investment partnerships with both Eastern and Western powers.
Geo-Economic Resilience
"This is geo-economic resilience at its finest: leveraging cooperation to generate collective economic security, while allowing individual nations to remain adaptable in the face of shifting global conditions," he said.
The "ASEAN Way" of Influence
Mohamad explained that the "ASEAN way" is not just about balancing power but about creating structures of influence that are inclusive, adaptive, and sustainable. He noted that ASEAN presides over one of the few regions globally where a genuinely functioning multilateral framework goes beyond mere rhetoric.
ASEAN’s Potential in a Multipolar Order
He suggested that ASEAN could inspire a new multipolar order, where influence is measured not by military might or economic weight alone but by the ability to facilitate dialogue, broker cooperation, and build the trust necessary for global peace and prosperity.
Maintaining Regional Stability and Promoting an Open and Inclusive Outlook
Mohamad expressed hope to maintain regional stability and promote an open and inclusive outlook in international affairs through continued communication with all Dialogue Partners, including Russia. He also highlighted the importance of renewed collaboration between ASEAN and all relevant parties, especially in light of the worrying trend of isolationism in the West.
Conclusion
In a world that is rapidly fragmenting economically, politically, and culturally, ASEAN offers a model of unity in diversity that is not just theoretical but also highly practical.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is ASEAN’s unique approach to regional cooperation and diplomacy?
A: ASEAN’s power lies in its distinctive model of engagement, which is shared decision-making between states with diverse governance systems.
Q: How has ASEAN maintained sovereignty while strengthening economic ties across borders?
A: By refusing to take sides in great power competition, ASEAN has been able to maintain access to global markets, secure supply chains, and engage in high-level trade and investment partnerships with both Eastern and Western powers.
Q: What is the "ASEAN way" of influence?
A: The "ASEAN way" is about creating structures of influence that are inclusive, adaptive, and sustainable, rather than just about balancing power.