ASIAN REGIONALISM
The only thing that will redeem mankind is
cooperation - Bertrand Russel
- The growing demand for economic
integration spurred by and large by the
rapid yet steady onslaught of
globalization, the threat of terrorism,
the spread of diseases, massive
technological innovations and
geopolitical uncertainties are some
realities that face nation states.
- These prompt nation states to bond
together and forge ties and alliances
built on solid and legal frameworks
REGIONALISM
- Regionalism is the manifestation or
expression of a common sense of
cultural identity and purpose combined
with the creation and implementation
of institutions that express a particular
identity and shape collective action
within a geographical region.
- It should be noted however, that most
of the regional organizations
established especially after World War
II are basically anchored on economic
integration.
Economic Regionalism
- Facilitate the free flow of goods and
services
- Coordinate foreign economic policies
between countries in the same
geographic region or nearby locale.
- Manage the opportunities and
constraints
- Increase of international economic ties
- Foster economic growth
- Prosperity among it’s member states.
Example:
Free trade areas, custom unions, common
markets and economic unions.
Asia
The Biggest continent (with Sheer size)
Greatest population
Great Resources
- With capability to dominate the global
political and economic environment.
- The economic, political and security
affairs shifted to Asia.
- Over half of the world’s population
produces three tenths of global output
and consistently records the world’s
highest economic growth rates.
- The call for regional economic
cooperation is essential for addressing
these challenges. This is largely because
of Asia’s unprecedented growth in the
past few decades led by economic
powerhouses, Japan, China, South
Korea and Middle east regions.
Asian Regionalism
- Asian Regionalism could bring huge
benefits not just to Asia but to the
world by:
- Sustain the region’s growth, underpin
it’s stability.
- With the right policies – reduce
inequality and address the perennial
problem of poverty.
- Marshal a common response to major
new challenges that often arise
suddenly and unexpectedly.
- To become vibrant and integrated Asia.
A stable, cohesive and productive Asia.
Imperative for Regionalism in Asia
General Productivity Gains, new ideas and
competition that boost economic growth and
raise incomes across the world.
Contribute to the efficiency and stability of
global financial markets by making Asian capital
markets stronger and safer and by maximizing
the productive use of Asian savings.
Diversify sources of global demand, helping to
stabilize the world economy and diminish the
risks posed by global imbalances and downturns
in other major economies.
Provide Leadership to help sustain open global
trade and financial systems.
Create regional mechanisms to manage health,
safety, an environmental issues better, and thus
contribute to more effective global solutions of
these problems.
Imperative for Regionalism in Asia
In the 1930s, countries created preferential
trade blocs in an attempt to shelter their
economies from Great depression.
Several countries established discriminatory
currency blocks with strict exchange controls
againsts outsiders.
Results were devastating
ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS
(ASEAN)
Established on August 8 1967 in Bangkok
Thailand
Founding members are Indonesia, Malaysia,
Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.
Then Brunei, Vietnam, Lao PDR and Myanmar
joined.
A regional intergovernmental organization
comprising TEN southeast Asia countries which
seeks to promote intergovernmental
cooperation and facilitates economic, political,
security, military, educational and sociocultural
integration amongst it’s members and other
Asia countries as well as with the rest of the
world.
Aims and Purposes of ASEAN
To accelerate the economic growth, social
progress and cultural development in the region
through joint endeavors in spirit of equality and
partnership in order to strengthen the
foundation for a prosperous and peaceful
community of ASEAN.
To promote active collaboration and mutual
assistance on matters of common interest in the
economic, social, cultural technical, scientific
and administrative fields.
To promote active collaboration and mutual
assistance on matters of common interest in the
economic, social, cultural, technical, scientific
and administrative fields;
To provide assistance to each other in the form
of training and research facilities in the
educational, professional, technical and
administrative spheres.
To collaborate more effectively for the greater
utilization of their agriculture and industries,
the expansion of their trade, the improvement
of their transportation and communications
facilities and the raising of the living standards
of their peoples;
To promote Southeast Asian studies; and
To maintain close and beneficial cooperation
with existing international and regional
organizations with similar aims and purposes,
and explore all avenues for even closer
cooperation among themselves.
Fundamental Principles of ASEAN
Mutual respect for the independence,
sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity and
national identity of all nations;
The right of every state to lead it’s national
existence free from external interference,
subversion or coercion.
Non – Interference in the internal affairs of one
another.
Settlement of differences or disputes by
peaceful manner.
Renunciation of the threat or use of force and;
Effective cooperation among themselves.
ASEAN
30th summit of ASEAN
Outward looking, living in peace, stability and
prosperity, bonded together in partnership in
dynamic development and in a community of
caring societies.
Being a global powerhouse ASEAN is known for
it’s diverse range of instruments and treaties
which enhances cooperation, recognition and
unity in numerous aspects, internally, regionally
and internationally.
ASEAN Connectivity
The ASEAN formulated a Master plan on ASEAN
connectivity 2025, which aims to create a
network of people and infrastructure to
improve the way we live, work and travel. This
master plan comprises of:
Sustainable Infrastructure
Seamless Logistics
People Mobility
Digital Innovation
Regulatory Excellence

ASIA PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is
a regional economic forum established in 1989
to leverage the growing interdependence of the
Asia-Pacific.  and plays an important role in the regional
APEC's 21 members aim to create greater
prosperity for the people of the region by
promoting balanced, inclusive, sustainable,
innovative and secure growth and by
accelerating regional economic integration.
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
operates as a cooperative, multilateral
economic and trade forum. It is the only
international intergovernmental grouping in the
world committed to reducing barriers to trade
and investment without requiring its members
to enter into legally binding obligations.
They are fundamental in reducing tariffs,
improving customs efficiency, and closing the
gap between developing and developed
economies. APEC also combated climate
change, dismantled terrorist networks,
increased transparency, and
stimulated economic integration.
Furthermore, the group raised living standards
and education levels, and fostered a greater
sense of community among Asia-Pacific
countries, by nurturing shared interests.
The founding members of APEC were Australia,
Brunei, Canada, Indonesia, Japan, Korea,
Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines,
Singapore, Thailand, and the U.S. Since its
launch, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Mexico,
Papua New Guinea, Chile, Peru, Russia, and
Vietnam have joined its ranks.  in Manila
The 21 APEC member economies jointly work
towards the realization of free and open trade
and investment in the Asia-Pacific by year 2020
and the establishment of greater regional
community to address the economic and social
dimensions of development and commitment
made by APEC leaders in 1994 known as the
Bogor goals.
EAST ASIAN SUMMIT (EAS)
The East Asia Summit is unique leaders-led
forum of 18 countries of the Asia-Pacific region
formed to further the objectives of regional
peace, security and prosperity.
It has evolved as a forum for strategic dialogue
and cooperation on political, security and
economic issues of common regional concern
architecture.
Discuss common interest and concern in an
open and transparent manner.
Membership of the EAS comprises the 10
ASEAN countries and 8 other countries in the
East Asian region.
Brunei Darussalam
Cambodia
Indonesia
Lao People's Democratic Republic
Malaysia
Myanmar
Philippines
Singapore
Thailand 
Vietnam
Australia
The People's Republic of China
India
Japan
New Zealand
Republic of Korea
United States and
Russian Federation.
APT ASEAN Plus Three
ASEAN plus 3 cooperation began in December
1997 and institutionalized in 1999 when the
leaders issued a joint statement on east asia
cooperation at their third ASEAN plus 3 summit
The latest development of East Asian regional
cooperation.
Expressed greater resolve and confidence in
further strengthening and deepening East Asia
cooperation at various level and in various areas
including energy, transport, information and
information technology.
ASEAN Plus three (APT) can be considered as a
forum that functions as a coordinator of
cooperation between ASEAN and east asia
nations.
ASEAN agreed to strengthen partnership with Arab League Conflicts
the China, Korea and Japan to address mutual The Arab League's effectiveness has
issues and concerns in energy security, natural been hampered by divisions among member
gas development, oil market studies, oil states. During the Cold War, some members
stockpiling and renewable energy. were supportive of the Soviet Union while
Arab League others aligned with Western nations. There has
The Arab League is a union of Arab-speaking also been rivalry over leadership, for
African and Asian countries. It was formed in example, between Egypt and Iraq. Hostilities
Cairo in 1945 to promote the independence, between monarchies such as Saudi Arabia,
sovereignty, affairs and interests of its 22 Jordan and Morocco have been disruptive as
member countries and four observers. have the conduct of states that have undergone
The Arab League countries have widely varying political change such as Egypt under Gamal
levels of population, wealth, GDP, and literacy. Abdel Nasser, Baathist Syria and Iraq and Libya
They are all predominantly Muslim, Arabic- under Muammar Gaddafi.
speaking countries, but Egypt and Saudi Arabia
are considered the dominant players in the The United States' attack on Saddam Hussein's
League. Through agreements for joint defense, Iraq created significant rifts between members
economic cooperation and free trade, among of the Arab League and, because decisions
others, the league helps its member countries made by the league only apply to the nations
to coordinate government and cultural that voted for them, the divisions have crippled
programs to facilitate cooperation and limit the league's influence.
conflict. Arab Spring
The 22 members of the Arab League as of The "Arab spring" uprisings in early 2011
2018 were: spurred the league into action, and it backed
Algeria UN action against Libya's Muammar Gaddafi's
Bahrain forces. Members also tend to agree on policy
Comoros such as support for Palestinians who are under
Djibouti Israeli occupation. However, the league's
Egypt actions are mostly limited to the issuing of
Iraq declarations. One exception was an economic
Jordan boycott of Israel between 1948 and 1993.
Kuwait Where the Arab League has been effective is in
Lebanon education, preserving documents and
Libya manuscripts, and creating a regional
Mauritania telecommunications union.
Morocco MENA
Oman - The Middle East and North African
Palestine (MENA) region accounts for
Qatar approximately 6% of the world's
Saudi Arabia population, 60% of the world's oil
Somalia reserves and 45% of the world's natural
Sudan gas reserves. Due to the region's
Syria substantial petroleum and natural gas
Tunisia reserves, MENA is an important source
the United Arab Emirates of global economic stability.
Yemen. - The term MENA is also referenced
The four observers are Brazil, Eritrea, India and when describing the state of
Venezuela. deteriorating relations between Arab
 states in the region. For example, Saudi 3. Failure to make use of available instruments
Arabia and Qatar are engaged in a of conflict – prevention and resolution.
diplomatic standoff that has resulted in 4. Failure of regional trust building, which is
banking sanctions and no-fly zones supposed to have been brought by regional
between the two countries. Yemen is groups like ASEAN is reflected in the emergence
also feeling the pressure of a proxy war of what seems to be a significant arms race
between Iran and Saudi Arabia that has across the regions.
pitted these two regional powers 5. There has been no regional free trade area
against each other. under the auspices of APEC. Bilateral trade
- The MENA region has grown in agreements have flourished, thereby
geopolitical importance since 2011 undercutting the rationale for wider regional
when a number of the regions long- arrangements.
time dictatorships were overthrown in 6. Regularly visited by Natural Calamities even
an event known as The Arab Spring. terrorism and there is no standing regional
Following this event oil supplies from humanitarian and disaster assistance
Libya, for example, have been mechanism in place despite periodic attempts
extremely volatile, influencing the price to create one.
of oil on international markets. 7. On human rights and social issues, Asia
- Additionally, a slow-burning civil war in continues to lag behind other regions, including
Syria has brought the U.S. and Russia Africa and Latin America, not to mention
into direct military competition in a way Europe in developing regional human rights
not seen since the Vietnam War in the promotion and protection mechanisms.
1960s and 70a and the war in
Afghanistan in the 1980s, with each The recently created ASEAN Inter-governmental
country backing different sides and commission of Human rights is merely a body
offering military assistance. for the promotion rather than protection.
Issues and Concerns of Asian Regionalism
Financial stability
Rapid rise of Price
Financial reversal
Economic Slowdowns due to business cycles.
2. Health and Security Threats
3. Environmental Damage
4. Social Instability
Issues and Concerns of
Asian Regionalism
There are criticisms that are usually hurled
against Asian regionalism:
They have not played a role in the major and
long standing regional conflicts, especially those
that are hold overs from the cold war period.
Mismanagement of maritime territorial
disputes:
Spratlys Islands – Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia,
Philippines and Brunei.
Senkaku/Daoyutai islands – China and Japan
Takeshima / Tokdo – Japan and Korea