ASEAN Summit To Focus On Its Community Vision 2045, Myanmar Crisis
An expert in International Relations and Strategy from the History, Politics and International Affairs Research Centre Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Prof. R. Ravichandran Moorthy
KUALA LUMPUR, May 24 (Bernama) -- ASEAN member states' commitment towards realising the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and addressing the prolonged Myanmar crisis is expected to take centre stage at the upcoming 46th ASEAN Summit, according to international relations experts.
Lecturer at the History, Politics and International Affairs Research Centre, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Prof Dr Ravichandran Moorthy said ASEAN leaders will likely engage in in-depth discussions on the bloc's achievements, development disparities, policy implementation effectiveness and Malaysia's role as Chair for 2025.
He noted that ASEAN, formed in response to the uncertainties of the Cold War, has undergone significant transformations over the decades, including the Bali Declaration and the establishment of the ASEAN Community in 2015.
'ASEAN's strength lies in its ability to adapt to current challenges,' he said during a special Bernama TV programme titled 'Realising the ASEAN Community Vision 2045', broadcast live from the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre today.
'Although development disparities persist among member states, various initiatives such as intra-ASEAN investment and trade, as well as the 'ASEAN Minus X' formula, have significantly supported the less-developed member states in catching up,' he added.
Ravichandran also highlighted the role of the ASEAN special task force in ensuring the comprehensive implementation of resolutions and strategies under the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, which encompasses three core pillars, namely political-security, economic and socio-cultural.
Meanwhile, lecturer at the International and Strategic Studies Department, Universiti Malaya Assoc. Prof Dr Khoo Ying Hooi described Malaysia's leadership at the 46th ASEAN Summit as progressive and unconventional, particularly through multilateral diplomacy and active engagement with strategic partners such as China and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
'Assuming the ASEAN Chairmanship gives Malaysia an advantage to strengthen its regional roles,' she said.
On the Myanmar issue, she opined that the absence of a clear timeline in the Five-Point Consensus has weakened ASEAN's ability to address the ongoing conflict.
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