Manila urged to expand ASEAN chairship agenda beyond security

By Adrian H. Halili, Reporter

THE PHILIPPINES should focus its agenda beyond traditional security issues, analysts said, as the country assumes chairship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) next year.

Climate change and the digital economy should be central to the Philippines’ agenda as these could shape how Southeast Asia navigates its collective future, Josue Raphael J. Cortez, an ASEAN Studies lecturer at the De La Salle-College of St. Benilde, said in a Facebook Messenger chat.

Mr. Cortez added that the country’s upcoming chairship should address most of the “complex challenges” that the region is confronting.

Hansley A. Juliano, a political science lecturer at Ateneo de Manila University, however, said the regional bloc is not expected to change its focus next year.

“General agenda does not seem to shift much. The things we are discussing in ASEAN seem to be consistent every year — only because the issues concerning us in the region also remain unresolved,” he said in a Messenger chat.

The Philippines is set to host the ASEAN summit in 2026, following the official hand over by Malaysia last month. The country assumed the post a year earlier than scheduled, in place of Myanmar which won’t take over due to political unrest.

Manila is expected to put peace and stability matter high on its agenda next year, amid increasing tension with China on the South China Sea and growing conflict between Thailand and Cambodia.

According to Mr. Cortez, the country should take a stronger stance against conflict across Southeast Asia.

“Conflicts have always been a part and parcel of our shared experiences, and given that some of today’s tensions may potentially diminish the spirit of collective action and the regional order and stability we have always subscribed to when the bloc was established,” Mr. Cortez said.

He added that Manila is expected to “generate bold ideas that can aid in mitigating and devising pragmatic yet constructive pathways for coexistence between the involved parties.”

Southeast Asia has emerged as a flashpoint, with border clashes in Cambodia and Thailand, Myanmar’s junta-led elections amid a humanitarian crisis, and intensifying disputes in the South China Sea involving China and the Philippines among other claimant states.

Mr. Juliano added it is in the country’s best interest to promote peace in mainland Southeast Asia.

“Of course, the salient concern here is that these very countries are vulnerable to Chinese influence due to the governance situation of the Mekong. We should have a proper response to that, too,” he said.

He added that the government has become keen in platforming its agenda in the South China Sea by consolidating allies in the region. He, however, noted the Philippines should take caution in pushing for the completion of the South China Sea code of conduct (CoC).

“We should be cautious about the CoC because passage is contingent on neutralizing open China allies and even if it should pass, it is not an automatic guarantee of ceasing hostilities,” Mr. Juliano said.

Benilde’s Mr. Cortez said that the Philippines can lead in helming regional discussions on how the South China Sea dispute can be handled collectively.

“With some of its neighbors, including Vietnam and Brunei, also as state-claimants, the Philippines’ perception can undoubtedly be the impetus for us to further realize the importance of ensuring that these waters would not be subjected to full hegemonic control,” he added.

He said that Manila can exert pressure on member states to finalize a legally binding CoC for the disputed waterway.

“It is necessary that ASEAN takes a collective stance on the matter, and Manila as a regional negotiator may trailblaze all the trajectories we could pursue together,” he added.

The ASEAN and China agreed to craft a code of conduct in 2002, however, progress toward a binding framework has been repeatedly delayed by legal, political and strategic differences.

China has increasingly expanded its presence in the disputed waterway despite a 2016 arbitral ruling by a United Nations-backed tribunal that voided its sweeping claims, it has ignored the decision.