ASEAN should not shy away from difficulties and lessons from the Red Sea

Session I of the Workshop with the theme Towards a Multipolar Order: “Hot Peace”, “Cold War” or “Peaceful Coexistence”? took place with the participation of experts and scholars from China, the US and Indonesia. (Photo: PH)

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet and four senior officials from Indonesia, Australia, the UK and the EU gave important keynote speeches guiding the discussion at the Conference. In addition to the three main discussion sessions, a special session was held on the first day to highlight the voices of the international youth generation.

In his remarks at the opening session, Mr. Sidharto Reza Suryodipuro, Director General of ASEAN Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, Head of SOM ASEAN Indonesia affirmed that the East Sea is Indonesia's top priority; emphasizing the central and important role of ASEAN will ensure the East Sea is a sea of peace, stability and prosperity.

Speakers presented papers on many aspects of cooperation in resolving conflicts in the East Sea. (Photo: PH)

Australian Foreign Minister Tim Watts affirmed that Australia supports a peaceful, stable and prosperous region that complies with international law and ensures free and unimpeded maritime routes; wishes to strengthen cooperation with partners, expand maritime cooperation, and protect marine resources and the environment in the region.

Catherine West, Minister of State for the Indo-Pacific, UK Foreign Office, affirmed the UK's stance of maintaining a free, open and secure Indo-Pacific region, and looking forward to cooperating with partners in maritime areas.

Mr. Niclas Kvarnström, Director General for Asia-Pacific, European Union External Action Service (EEAS), affirmed that ASEAN is the focus of the approach to the region, wishing to strengthen bilateral cooperation with ASEAN member countries such as the Philippines and Vietnam.

Session II has the theme: “ASEAN’s central role in challenges: Proactive or hiding and waiting for the right time?”. (Photo: PH)

Assessing the world and regional situation, many opinions say that in the current strategic environment, the world order no longer exists in a truly multipolar form as before World War II.

The trend of peaceful coexistence and international order is facing many challenges. The East Sea still has many potential risks with the risks of militarization in the region and unilateral actions in the context of US-China strategic competition.

In addition to traditional and non-traditional security challenges, many new challenges have emerged, including the trend of underwater warfare and the use of underwater infrastructure in military or non-military activities, increasing threats to freedom, safety, and maritime security.

Session III was lively with the theme: “Safety and freedom of navigation from the Red Sea to the East Sea: Whose responsibility is it?”. (Photo: PH)

Assessing ASEAN, many opinions say that although ASEAN is facing many challenges, this organization should not avoid difficulties but should strongly affirm its role and contribute to peace, stability, and help all parties coexist peacefully.

Many opinions called on ASEAN to further promote the spirit of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) to control regional conflicts. Some opinions called for reviving the Bandung spirit, finding a formula for competing parties to coexist peacefully, on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Bandung Conference in 2025.

The majority emphasized the need for ASEAN to maintain its “centrality” and solidarity, while promoting multilateral diplomacy and based on international law, through innovative approaches, appropriate policy adjustments, improving mechanisms and strengthening and diversifying international partners.

Delegates actively participated in discussions and asked questions to speakers at the Workshop. (Photo: PH)

Scholars discussed common challenges to international maritime safety and freedom, emphasizing that the Red Sea and the South China Sea have many similarities. Many lessons and experiences were shared, including promoting the role of international organizations such as the IMO (International Maritime Organization).

Ten years ago, no one thought non-state actors could change the game in the Middle East as they have today, an Israeli scholar said, arguing that this is a lesson that Southeast Asia should not take lightly.