ASEAN Summit: Between promises and elusive progress
Behind Manila’s polished communiqués and ribbon-cutting ceremonies lies an institutional facade that can no longer mask ASEAN's failure to govern a region in crisis.
ASEAN's capacity to govern a troubled region has been overshadowed by its inability to deliver on promises, as highlighted by the upcoming summit in Manila. Despite the summit's potential to mark a diplomatic success, doubts loom over its ability to address critical issues such as the transnational haze pollution. While ASEAN leaders are expected to announce incremental steps towards the ASEAN Power Grid, the effectiveness of this initiative remains questionable.
The ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Transboundary Haze Pollution Control, despite its impressive acronym, is doubted to significantly improve the situation. The institutional design of ASEAN, characterized by noninterference and consensus-driven diplomacy, has led to paralysis in enforcing compliance and honoring commitments. This systemic failure highlights the challenges ASEAN faces in taking meaningful action in the region.
Written by urgent.news from The Jakarta Post Academia's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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- ASEAN Summit: Between promises and elusive progress thejakartapost.com
