The importance of ASEAN at 50

The Philippines has a momentous year ahead in 2017 hosting the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), during ASEAN’s 50^th anniversary year.  As a founding member of ASEAN and one of the largest members, it is fitting that the Philippines is chair during such an auspicious anniversary.

People may be wary about the prospect of another international summit descending on the Philippines so soon after APEC 2015. This is not surprising if it complicates their daily lives. The challenge for the Philippines is to raise public awareness of ASEAN’s important role so that people take pride in being centre stage in 2017.  The eyes of the world will be on the Philippines.

Australia is not a member of ASEAN but we are part of the ASEAN neighbourhood.  Our security and economic interests are inextricably linked.   A united and strong ASEAN is essential to our own national interests and to the prosperity and stability of South East Asia.

We therefore place much importance on our engagement with ASEAN.  Australian political leaders will be visiting the Philippines next year to participate in the East Asia Summit which is the premier leaders’ forum and the ASEAN Regional Forum which focuses on security issues. Our foreign, defence and trade ministers will meet with their ASEAN counterparts.

Australia has a strong track record of working collaboratively with ASEAN as an institution.  Australia was the first country to become a dialogue partner in 1974, providing an annual opportunity for our leaders to meet.  In 2014, Australia entered a Strategic Partnership with ASEAN reflecting the depth of our cooperation over forty plus years.

I recently hosted the Australia-ASEAN Council (AAC) Board in Manila.  Established in 2015, the AAC fosters cultural, sporting, educational and economic links with ASEAN.  This was the AAC’s first Board meeting outside of Australia and Board members delighted in visiting projects which have benefitted from AAC grants.

Much of the AAC’s work targets the grass roots level.  The AAC spoke to Education Secretary Briones about implementing its flagship BRIDGE program in the Philippines.  This will connect individual schools in both countries with teacher exchanges and classroom collaboration.   Such programs can build lifetime bonds between young people.

In Australia, we are also working hard to increase Australian business awareness of opportunities in the ASEAN market.  ASEAN nations combined rank as Australia’s second largest export market, after China, comprising 14 percent of our trade.  We encourage exporters to treat ASEAN as a single economic market.  We support ASEAN’s efforts to increase economic integration through the ASEAN Economic Community and to reduce internal and external barriers to trade.

Concluding the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in 2017 would be a significant achievement for the Philippines and ASEAN on its 50^th anniversary. RCEP is a free trade agreement between ASEAN and its 10 dialogue partners.  Australia is pressing for an ambitious agreement which builds on existing agreements and allows new trade and investment to flow.

I am excited that my assignment coincides with the Philippines’ ASEAN host year. A priority for me will be to progress arrangements for the 2018 ASEAN-Australian Summit which, for the first time, will take place in Australia.

We might be daunted by the influx of high-level visitors and resulting logistical irritants, but it is important to remember ASEAN’s enduring role as the glue that holds South East Asia together.  Australian leaders greatly value the opportunity to meet with ASEAN leaders as group, joined by other leaders from the neighbourhood.  A lot of critical conversations take place at such meetings well beyond the formal agenda and outcomes documents.

Turning 50 is both a time to reflect and to focus on the future.  I encourage you to find ways to join in the celebration as ASEAN marks this significant birthday in the Philippines.  Australia will be here with bells on!

* * *

Amanda Gorely is the Australian Ambassador to the Philippines.  Follow her on Twitter @AusAmbPH.