The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) recently held its 36th summit via video conference. The focus was primarily on responding to the Covid-19 pandemic, strategizing for post-pandemic recovery and fostering further cooperation with partner countries. The theme for the summit was “Cohesive and Responsive ASEAN”. This virtual meeting was chaired by Vietnam, which currently holds the chairmanship of ASEAN.
A New Initiative: ASEAN Covid-19 Response Fund
A critical decision made during the summit was the establishment of the ASEAN Covid-19 Response Fund. This reserve will be allocated for medical supplies to address urgent needs during health crises. This follows a special ASEAN meeting convened in April dedicated to tackling the pandemic, where no consensus was reached about an emergency fund. The summit also resolved to create standard ASEAN procedures for epidemic response to be used in case of health emergencies.
Covid-19’s Impact on Economies
An alarming prediction from the summit was that the ASEAN region’s economy is expected to shrink for the first time in more than two decades due to the staggering cost of the coronavirus. The pandemic has hit hard on tourism-dependent and export-relaint countries such as Thailand and Vietnam.
The South China Sea Issue: Rising Tensions and Territorial Disputes
In addition to discussions on the pandemic, the summit expressed concern over recent developments and land reclamations in the South China Sea. This sea, wealthy in resources, is claimed largely by China but is also contested by other ASEAN members such as Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, and Taiwan. Events such as China sinking a Vietnamese trawler and unilaterally declaring new administrative districts on islands have escalated tensions. The summit called for all parties to avoid exacerbating tensions and comply with international laws.
Understanding the ASEAN
ASEAN is a regional grouping formed in Bangkok, Thailand, in 1967. It promotes economic, political, and security cooperation among its members. The ten members are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. The chairmanship rotates annually based on the alphabetical order of the English names of its Member States. With a total population of 650 million people and a combined GDP of $2.8 trillion, ASEAN plays a pivotal role in Asian economic integration.
The Way Forward
The pandemic has presented immense challenges on a global scale and within each region. Major economies like the US, EU, and India are grappling with economic downturns due to lockdowns, which in turn have led to a historic drop in oil prices. Irresponsible actions violating international law are negatively impacting the security environment in some regions. Cooperation among regions and countries is essential in managing both these geopolitical tensions and pandemic repercussions.
