Building an ASEAN that delivers: Why centrality requires capacity

ASEAN's 60th anniversary next year presents an opportunity to evaluate both the achievements and the future challenges the organization must address. When it was founded six decades ago, Indonesia's Foreign Minister Adam Malik had a clear vision for Southeast Asia: a region capable of standing on its own feet and defending itself against external influences.

While the world is currently characterized by strategic competition and geopolitical fragmentation, ASEAN has transformed into a cornerstone of stability and a vital forum for diplomacy. This transformation is the result of a long history of trust-building, open dialogue, and adherence to international law. Central to ASEAN's success are principles like respect for sovereignty, non-interference, non-use of force, and peaceful dispute resolution, all of which are enshrined in the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, which turns 50 this year.

However, anniversaries alone do not signify progress. The true impact of the Treaty and ASEAN's convening power is evident in the way it empowers the organization to deliver meaningful outcomes. As ASEAN looks to the future, the focus should be on translating its legacy of stability and diplomacy into tangible benefits for its member states and the region as a whole.