This important organization is increasingly playing a vital role in the new regional architecture and has stepped up its efforts to implement the blueprints towards an ASEAN Community in 2015. Thus Norway is also paying more attention to the developments within ASEAN, particularly in the field of security policy and economic integration.
The successful meeting in Hanoi was attributed with an optimistic atmosphere due to economic progress throughout the region. ASEAN is expected to achieve a combined growth of 4.9% to 5.6% this year – Indonesia no exception. ASEAN’s free trade agreements have come into effect (with China since 1 January 2010), tariffs between six of the member states have been reduced to zero and the internal trade volume has increased tremendously. In addition a credit guarantee fund to protect investments will be established. All this creates a sense of unity, confidence and optimism throughout the region. Crucial elements in continuing this trend is that ASEAN succeeds in developing their infrastructure to increase connectivity – not only in terms of transportation, but also on the soft infrastructure such as border crossing regimes and increased people-to-people contact.
Besides welcoming the positive economic trend, the ASEAN summit agreed on important issues like a joint response to climate change, focusing on sustainable growth and development including good governance, innovation and more knowledge based economy. In addition a charter on dispute settlement mechanisms was adopted. One of the challenges for ASEAN at the time is the development and elections in Myanmar. ASEANs Commission on the Promotion and the Protection of the Rights of Women and Children was inaugurated. This Commission will be working together with the already established Commission on Human Rights.
For practical reasons Indonesia has agreed with Brunei, to change the years of their chairmanships, so that Indonesia will be the chair of ASEAN in 2011 (instead of 2013 when they also have the chairmanship in APEC and possibly G20). The Norwegian Embassy in Jakarta is looking forward to continuing the cooperation with the ASEAN secretariat and the Indonesian chair in the time to come.
For more information on ASEAN please go to their webpage: http://www.aseansec.org/