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Former Secretary-General of ASEAN explains the role of ASEAN, the need for leadership in East and South East Asia, and what this leadership might look like going forward

As former secretary general of ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations), Surin Pitsuwan, who facilitated the Salzburg Global Seminar session Leadership for Regional Co-operation in Asia for the 21st Century, is uniquely placed to explain why the East and South-East Asian region is so important globally.

“In East Asia, we’re aware of the fact that the largest part of humanity is located here,” Pitsuwan states. “There’s a lot of dynamism, a lot of growth, and a lot of economic activities.”

Pitsuwan was secretary general of ASEAN until his retirement in 2012. Founded in 1967, ASEAN aims to “accelerate the economic growth, social progress and cultural development” and “promote regional peace and stability” in the region, and proclaims as its motto: “One Vision, One Identity, One Community.” But this huge population is divided by its history: “We have a lot of historical baggage and fault lines between us, so we have a lower degree of trust,” laments Pitsuwan. “If anything happens between those fault lines, the outcome is going to be severe for the global community.”

Increasingly, one of the common factors in these “fault lines” is China. Often reported in the news and frequently referenced in political discussion, Pitsuwan explains why this issue has come to the fore, especially in recent years: “China was expected to grow in a peaceful, friendly way. When they achieved a certain level of economic prosperity, they became more assertive and started projecting their power.” This power is now being projected onto the territories that it claims as its own – claims that are much disputed.

ASEAN comprises of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam. With many of those countries having land or maritime borders (and disputes) with China, the rising assertiveness of China as well as other regional disputes are often discussed when ASEAN meets: “ASEAN provides a neutral forum… without it they wouldn’t talk to each other,” explains Pitsuwan.

The importance of this forum is not to be underestimated, especially given the “sense of unease” felt in the region with an increasingly powerful China: “There’s a possibility of open violence due to misunderstandings or miscommunications – that’s why dialogue is so important... When we articulate our hopes, our fears, our dreams or our strengths, at least we know each other.” The fundamental importance of knowing each other underscores Pitsuwan’s emphasis on trust. The dialogue is part of a process that rebuilds trust, and ASEAN is the core facilitator of this dialogue.

Nevertheless, while ASEAN facilitates dialogue and provides a forum, it does not necessarily lead the East Asian nations. Pitsuwan sees leadership as the “ability to visualize the future and be able to take the people along and subscribe to that vision.” There is still a lack of leadership in the region, however, Pitsuwan does give some idea as to what this leadership should look like: “Asian leadership needs to be transformative, trans-generational and transnational – it’s collective.”

The leadership needs to be region-orientated. He envisions “a stronger, more effective, more confident and more unified East Asia.” This will be brought about by pushing for “coordination, cooperation, and integration” in the region. Parallels are often drawn between ASEAN and the European Union, but as Pitsuwan explains, “Europe gives us inspiration for unity, not a model. We have to work out our own model... We can take the lessons from Europe but not follow their path – the situation is entirely different.” Pitsuwan also makes it clear that countries like the US have an important role to play in the region, and he envisions the partnership with the US being “very, very useful.”

However, this relationship will be most productive when there is a unified East Asia that the US and other countries can work with on a “level playing field.” For this to happen, Pitsuwan’s vision of leadership in the region must become a reality.

Surin Pitsuwan was a facilitator at the Salzburg Global session <font color="#0066cc">Leadership for Regional Co-operation in Asia for the 21st Century</font>. More information on the session can be found here: <font color="#0066cc"><i><a href="http://www.salzburgglobal.org/go/560" target="_blank">www.salzburgglobal.org/go/560</a></i></font>