Suh Chung-ha
The 16th Meeting of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Experts and Eminent Persons (EEPs) is scheduled to take place in Seoul on April 25 and 26. As a 1.5-track knowledge community, this gathering occurs annually, with ASEAN and non-ASEAN member countries alternating as co-chairs. Comprised of professionals with expertise in diplomacy and security affairs, EEP members are nominated by each ARF member state on a voluntary basis. The primary task of this body is to formulate recommendations based on discussions regarding the medium to long-term development direction of the ARF and key security issues relevant to the interests and concerns of the ARF. These recommendations are then submitted to the ARF Foreign Ministerial Meeting.
The ARF stands as a prominent forum symbolizing multilateral security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. Established in 1994 under ASEAN leadership against the backdrop of the changing international security environment post-Cold War, it reflects the recognition in East Asia of the need for multilateral security cooperation akin to that in Europe. While similar attempts have been made in Northeast Asia, they have unfortunately not borne fruit beyond temporary initiatives. The South Korean government, too, has consistently made various proposals for multilateral security cooperation but has yet to institutionalize a sustainable framework.
International relations experts attribute significant progress in multilateral security cooperation in Southeast Asia, compared to Northeast Asia, to the pivotal role played by ASEAN. Despite persistent post-Cold War regional conflicts and security threats hindering attempts at multilateral security cooperation throughout East Asia, Southeast Asian countries, bound by ASEAN, have facilitated dialogue and cooperation with major extra-regional powers such as the United States, China and Russia, laying the groundwork for multilateral security cooperation. Former Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa stated in his book "Does ASEAN Matter?" that "another illustration, through ASEAN, of Southeast Asian countries from objects of major power rivalries to moulders of the region's architecture has been the ARF."
Currently, the ARF has evolved into a global security forum both geographically and substantively. It comprises member countries from North America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. Its discussions encompass not only issues in the Indo-Pacific region but also global security concerns. Last year's ARF Foreign Ministerial Meeting discussed regional security issues, such as North Korean missile testing and South China Sea disputes, along with global security issues including the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.
The ARF serves as both a crucial and challenging arena for our multilateral diplomacy. Firstly, it is unique as the only regional forum where both North and South Korea are members. Consequently, it has garnered attention as a rare channel for communication between North and South Korean Foreign Ministers. Moreover, given issues vital to our diplomacy and security, such as North Korea's nuclear and missile threats, consistently feature on the agenda, the ARF has been the platform to test our diplomatic capabilities to seek support from diverse member countries for our positions on those issues. Additionally, with the participation of foreign ministers from key regional countries, the ARF Foreign Ministerial Meeting provides a valuable opportunity to address bilateral or multilateral pending issues and promote bilateral relations.
The hosting of the upcoming ARF EEPs Meeting presents us with a special opportunity to implement our vision for a global pivotal state (GPS). Through in-depth discussions aligned with ARF's interests and the presentation of reports containing fresh and innovative ideas, we can contribute to enhancing the effectiveness of ARF meetings, often disparaged as mere talk shops. In particular, this meeting is anticipated to serve as a platform for addressing emerging security issues such as economic security and cybersecurity, thereby paving the way for ARF's increasingly constructive role in responding to global polycrises. Last but not least, the upcoming ARF EEPs Meeting marking the 30th anniversary of ARF's establishment and the 35th anniversary of ASEAN-ROK dialogue relations this year, will serve as a catalyst for realizing the Korea-ASEAN Solidarity Initiative (KASI) launched by South Korea to foster a more comprehensive partnership with ASEAN.
Suh Chung-ha, a former Korean ambassador to Singapore and a former president of Jeju Peace Institute, is now a visiting professor at Dankook University and a member of ARF EEPs.
The ASEAN Regional Forum and Korea's Global Pivotal State vision
58
0
14.04.2024
Suh Chung-ha
The 16th Meeting of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Experts and Eminent Persons (EEPs) is scheduled to take place in Seoul on April 25 and 26. As a 1.5-track knowledge community, this gathering occurs annually, with ASEAN and non-ASEAN member countries alternating as co-chairs. Comprised of professionals with expertise in diplomacy and security affairs, EEP members are nominated by each ARF member state on a voluntary basis. The primary task of this body is to formulate recommendations based on discussions regarding the medium to long-term development direction of the ARF and key security issues relevant to the interests and concerns of the ARF. These recommendations are then submitted to the ARF Foreign Ministerial Meeting.
The ARF stands as a prominent forum symbolizing multilateral security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. Established in 1994 under ASEAN leadership against the backdrop of the changing international security environment post-Cold War, it reflects the recognition in East Asia of the need for multilateral security cooperation akin to that in Europe. While similar attempts have been made in Northeast Asia, they have........
© The Korea Times
visit website
login
who are we?
contact us
qosheapp
Toi Staff
Gideon Levy
Belen Fernandez
Tarik Cyril Amar
Rami G Khouri
Dr Ramzy Baroud
Mort Laitner
Bradley Blankenship
