Navigating Two Storms: The Philippines’ ASEAN Chairmanship And Regional Security – OpEd |
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states take turns to lead the organisation through annual chairmanship, which enables them to shape regional priorities. The Philippines holds this position, which makes the chairmanship more important because the country faces ongoing maritime conflicts in the South China Sea. The Philippines will focus on the South China Sea during its time in office because it wants to enhance ASEAN security influence while dealing with different national approaches and foreign influences among member states. The Myanmar crisis makes it challenging for ASEAN to protect its credibility because the organisation must establish a single position. The two problems will force ASEAN to maintain stability throughout the entire region.
The Philippines’ position as chair of ASEAN allows the nation to advance maritime security matters, which should receive immediate attention from the organisation. The chair position requires the organisation to organise summits and determine essential matters, and maintain ASEAN representation outside the organisation, which allows Manila to direct discussions toward its strategic goals, including the defence of national sovereignty and the protection of its exclusive economic zone. The Philippines maintains its opposition to Chinese territorial expansion while the present administration focuses on building stronger collective power for all ASEAN member states. The Philippines supports maritime security because it needs to defend its national interests during its efforts to build up ASEAN’s capabilities for handling regional problems.
The South China Sea serves as a vital international shipping route which protects........