Asean's Zopfan revived thanks to China and Russia's support, says expert
International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) Department of Political Science and Madani Studies lecturer Prof Dr Zainal Abidin Sanusi stated that this development reflects Asean's commitment to advancing the Zopfan vision by balancing security, sustainability, and inclusive growth for future generations.
He noted that China and Russia's readiness to join demonstrates that Zopfan is not just historical rhetoric but an evolving framework relevant in today's strategic landscape.
"This move directly reinforces Zopfan, reducing the risk of nuclear escalation in a region increasingly exposed to great-power rivalry, especially in the South China Sea," he told Bernama ahead of the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) on Tuesday (July 8).
Zopfan, signed on Nov 27, 1971, by Asean member states in Kuala Lumpur, aimed to keep Southeast Asia free from external powers' interference, reinforcing Asean's commitment to regional neutrality and autonomy during the Cold War.
Prof Zainal Abidin suggested that this development could boost the international credibility of the SEANWFZ Protocol and intensify diplomatic pressure on other Nuclear Weapon States (NWS), notably the United States, United Kingdom, and France, to reconsider their reservations and re-engage with the treaty.
"Malaysia's neutral and principled foreign policy gives it the credibility to act as a trusted bridge-builder in such complex negotiations," he added, highlighting a broader shift in Asean's diplomatic posture.
"This marks a key moment in what some are calling 'sustainability diplomacy', a redefined approach to peace and security that centres on long-term cooperation in environmental protection, green growth, and inclusive development, beyond just military or geopolitical strategies," he said.
Despite Southeast Asia's nuclear-weapon-free status, Asean remains vulnerable to nuclear-capable deployments by external powers.
"Asean leaders believe that securing universal NWS adherence is now more urgent than ever to protect Zopfan's spirit and safeguard Southeast Asia's stability and prosperity," he said.
Prof Zainal Abidin proposed that Asean establish a regional compliance and monitoring mechanism in partnership with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), modelled on the African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone's commission, to strengthen transparency and confidence-building.
He emphasized that environmental protection is a key pillar of SEANWFZ, as the treaty prohibits radioactive waste dumping and strictly limits nuclear energy activities, reinforcing intergenerational equity and the region's ecosystems' health.
Malaysia's Asean 2025 Chairmanship theme of "Inclusivity and Sustainability" aligns with global concerns such as climate change, equitable development, and peace, linking SEANWFZ to broader issues like environmental protection and social justice.
Malaysia has worked diligently through Asean committees and diplomatic channels to ensure smooth logistics and focused discussions for this year's meeting, particularly on sensitive issues such as monitoring and enforcing the treaty.
He added that Malaysia could use its leadership in green technology, clean energy, and equitable economic growth to demonstrate how sustainability-anchored diplomacy can shape regional peacebuilding more holistically.
"This is different from past Asean meetings that kept security and development in separate boxes. Now, Malaysia is helping Asean think across sectors, combining peace and sustainability in new ways," he said.
Prof Zainal Abidin expressed that Malaysia's leadership could transform the AMM into a milestone event, not only for peace and denuclearisation but for the rise of sustainability diplomacy as a defining approach for Asean's efforts in balancing geopolitics, the environment, and development.
The 58th AMM and related meetings, scheduled from July 8 to 11, are expected to gather about 1,500 delegates, including foreign ministers from Asean, Timor-Leste, Asean dialogue partners, Asean Regional Forum (ARF) participants, sectoral dialogue partners, and Asean Secretariat senior officials.
Malaysia is hosting the AMM as part of its fifth Asean Chairmanship, having previously held the role in 1977, 1997, 2005, and 2015. - Bernama
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