ASEAN
This photo of the “ASEAN-5” was taken in November 1971, during a Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting hosted by Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak (far left). All five ministers had gathered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to issue the declaration on the zone of peace, freedom, and neutrality. The photo illustrates perfectly the “ASEAN Way,” a working style that is informal, personal, consensus-based, and open to compromise. Philippine Foreign Minister Carlos P. Romulo listens to Indonesian Foreign Minister Adam Malik while Singapore’s Foreign Minister S. Rajaratnam and Thai special envoy Thanat Khoman (center) look on.
On August 8, 1967, at the height of the Vietnam War, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand formed an alliance to unite against the spread of communism and to promote stability in the Southeast Asia region. This bloc of five member states included Christians, Buddhists, and Muslims. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), as it was called, was extremely diverse not just in terms of religion but in other ways: language, philosophy, history, and culture.
Since its founding, ASEAN has succeeded in becoming one of the most successful regional alliances in maintaining peace and avoiding conflicts. Using a methodology known as the “ASEAN Way,” policymakers approach issues in ways that respect the cultural norms of Southeast Asia.
“There is space enough for all the nations to co-exist in peace if not amity,” Romulo said. “But first there must be room enough in the minds of men for the tolerance of views with which they do not agree, and room in their hearts for the goodwill to live and let live.”
In its 50-plus years, ASEAN has made notable progress toward economic integration and free trade, and its membership now includes ten nations. Disagreements over security issues consistently challenge ASEAN’s unity, however. The group remains divided over many issues, including China’s claims in the South China Sea. As unresolved maritime disputes dangerously fester in the region, threatening to escalate to outright conflict, ASEAN’s role has never been more relevant than it is today.