Established in 1967, ASEAN — the Association of Southeast Asian Nations—needs to strengthen its mechanisms and institutions by reviewing the ASEAN Charter to align with current geopolitical and economic developments.
This review is expected to enhance ASEAN’s institutional work and strengthen the function of the ASEAN Secretariat and its affiliated organizations.
This was highlighted during the “Partnership Policy Review Kick-Off: Strengthening the ASEAN Charter” discussion held on Wednesday (Sep. 11) at the Mandiri Auditorium, UGM Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (Fisipol UGM).
The discussion, organized by the UGM Center for ASEAN Studies and the Foreign Policy Strategy and Policy Agency (BSKLN) of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, featured several speakers, including Dr. Dafri Agussalim from the UGM Center for ASEAN Studies and Dr. Lina Alexandra from the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).
Also, Vahd Nabyl Mulachela, Head of the Asia Pacific-Africa Policy Strategy Center, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Chilman Arisman, Director of ASEAN Political and Security Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Dr. Alexandra proposed reviewing the ASEAN Charter, suggesting it needs to be updated.
“The ASEAN Charter needs to be strengthened and its relevance reassessed, including decision-making processes and a review of the non-interference principle,” she said.
Dr. Alexandra emphasized that reviewing institutional work, including the ASEAN Charter, would allow ASEAN to enhance the Secretariat and its affiliated organizations.
The ASEAN Charter is a constitutional document that outlines norms, sovereignty, rights, obligations, and powers in legislative, executive, and judicial processes.
Dr. Dafri Agussalim echoed the need to review current institutional frameworks. He noted that revisiting the Charter and institutional work could bolster the ASEAN Secretariat and its affiliated bodies.
Fisipol UGM Dean Dr. Wawan Mas’udi agreed that mechanisms must be reviewed and refined to keep ASEAN resilient and responsive to current issues.
“We seek innovative solutions for ASEAN and aim to set a visionary direction for ASEAN’s future,” the dean stated.
Chilman Arisman noted that ASEAN is facing significant transformations and challenges. He believes that reviewing the ASEAN Charter will strengthen ASEAN’s institutional mechanisms.
Author: Tiefany
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Afif
Photo: Wikipedia