Laos Takes the ASEAN Helm: What This Means for the Region
Well, well, well, look who’s in charge! The Lao People’s Democratic Republic is stepping up to lead ASEAN in 2024, like a little brother who finally got a chance to play on the big kids’ field. And talking about ambition, Laos is hoping to put its stamp on the regional bloc during a tumultuous time when superpowers are flexing their muscles in all the wrong places. It’s almost like watching a group of toddlers fighting over the last cookie, with ASEAN trying to mediate before someone throws a tantrum.
Founded to keep superpower disputes in check (who knew a bunch of nations could play babysitter?), ASEAN’s strength has always been in its ability to look beyond military might. You see, stabilizing a region isn’t just about having more tanks or warships; it’s about crafting a cozy economic blanket and throwing in some socio-cultural pillows for good measure. Here’s hoping Laos can keep the kids calm during playtime so everyone gets their fair share of the cookie…
But wait, what’s that lurking in the corner? Yes, the shadow of major powers competing in the Indo-Pacific! It’s like a game of chess where the pieces keep moving on their own, and ASEAN is left figuring out how to play Monopoly with a pack of wolves. Laos’s four-pronged strategy of practical collaboration, comprehensive security, and a focus on ASEAN’s core values must sound great in a policy meeting but let’s be real: execution is the devil in the details!
And as we scramble towards the end of 2024, the stakes are higher than a cat in a tree. ASEAN is working on a brand-new community vision, but if we’ve learned anything from previous visions, it’s that they can sometimes be more of a dream than a reality. Laos’s job is to make sure this new vision—expected to drop in 2045—doesn’t end up like a forgotten New Year’s resolution. Let’s not forget that the previous vision is expiring in 2025 — it sounds like ASEAN is running a hasty bakery that needs to get its act together before the next order arrives.
Enter Neoliberal Institutionalism!
Now, before you fall asleep from the jargon, let’s dive into some academic heavy lifting with our friend Robert Keohane and his neoliberal institutionalism theory. This isn’t just a fancy way for a scholar to flex; it’s actually vital. Neoliberal Institutionalism argues that states can be more than self-interested loners; they can cooperate if the right rules are set.
In this context, ASEAN’s role becomes clearer: it’s not just about holding hands during sing-alongs; it’s about stability, collaboration, and ensuring everyone plays fair. The question is whether Laos can coax its fellow members to come up with something more than just hot air and nice words regarding regional collaboration.
The ASEAN Dilemma
As the Lao leadership rolls out its plans, it must focus on creating that New Community Vision. Lots of words, but it better have substance! The Indo-Pacific context, rife with geopolitical shifts, has to be addressed. Will it bring all members closer together to hold the fort? Or will it end up being like herding cats? With Myanmar’s ongoing chaos, it’s not just a theoretical game anymore—this is someone else’s real-life drama waiting for a resolution. Logically, ASEAN must step up; otherwise, it risks being about as effective as a chocolate teapot.
Meanwhile, Australia’s generous Aus4ASEAN package shows that bigger players are keen to get friendly, waving their economic candy to sweeten the deal. It’s like a bustling bazaar, but let’s hope this doesn’t turn into a market brawl. It’s time for ASEAN to transform their dreams into actionable insights that make a difference. Let’s measure success by tangible outcomes, not just flowery speeches and tea parties.
The Bottom Line
With Laos at the ASEAN wheel, 2024 could either be a remarkable step forward or a stumbling block in the road to regional coherence. The success of the Lao chairmanship depends on fostering dialogue, overcoming internal strife, and mobilizing everyone’s efforts toward common goals. Will we have cooperation and coordination, or will it all be just another episode of “Keeping Up with the Komms?”
So, fasten your seatbelts, ASEAN folks. Grab your popcorn! It’s going to be quite the show. And if Laos can manage the delicate dance of diplomacy while keeping the cookie jar secure, we might just witness an ASEAN renaissance. Let’s hope all these good intentions transform into a thriving community—because let’s face it, no one wants the soap opera to end with a cliffhanger.
The Lao People’s Democratic Republic, set to take the helm as the ASEAN chair in 2024, is preparing to host two pivotal ASEAN summits in the latter half of this year. Despite diverging from traditional approaches, there lies a significant aspiration that Laos can solidify its leadership role in shaping ASEAN’s future, especially during a period marked by intensifying strategic rivalries between major powers in the region. The founding principle behind ASEAN was to monitor and mitigate tensions among superpowers, facilitating a focus on sustainable development and collaboration among member states. For ASEAN, achieving stability transcends military might; it encompasses economic growth, cultural exchange, and social cohesion, fostering a resilient environment in which both ASEAN’s advantages and its competitive dynamics can thrive. Initiatives like the ASEAN Regional Forum, the East Asia Summit, and the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting (ADMM) plus illustrate ASEAN’s multifaceted mechanisms for promoting peace and cooperation.
In response to escalating geopolitical competition among regional superpowers, ASEAN is adopting a multidimensional strategy characterized by practical collaboration, comprehensive security measures, and an ASEAN-centric perspective. While ASEAN acknowledges the strategic complexities of the Indo-Pacific, it emphasizes the need for ongoing progress towards enhancement and adaptability. The enduring challenges of trust deficits stemming from regional conflicts, lack of cohesive action, and diverging priorities among external partners will persist. Nonetheless, continued dialogue among government officials, scholars, and the public remains crucial, as debates and discussions fuel collaborative efforts and innovative actions.
As the year comes to a close, ASEAN’s commitment culminates in the pursuit of a renewed vision for the community. With the current vision set to expire in 2025, ASEAN is endorsing the ASEAN Community 2045 vision, which aims to create a credible, vibrant, dynamic, and people-centered organization. The Lao People’s Democratic Republic’s leadership will be vital in ensuring the seamless transition of this vision during next year’s discussions in Malaysia, along with the completion of an updated strategic plan poised to replace the existing Vientiane Plan of Action.
The application of Neoliberal Institutionalism as a theoretical framework in international relations sheds light on ASEAN’s role as a regional organization committed to maintaining security and stability for its member nations. Under the Lao leadership, the focus for 2024 should center on developing a New Community Vision that not only captures current aspirations but also addresses obstacles. Within the Indo-Pacific context, this vision must highlight regional cooperation and security, alongside the capacity to navigate shifting geopolitical landscapes. The key to success lies in ensuring that this vision translates into actionable initiatives that benefit all member states.
Australia’s launch of the Aus4ASEAN package underscores a growing commitment to fortifying ties with ASEAN. This initiative, spanning various sectors including economy, education, and security, aims to assist ASEAN member states in overcoming their challenges. This collaborative effort enhances ASEAN’s foundational strengths amid heightened global competition. To address disputes among member states and manage crises effectively, ASEAN requires a more functional institutional framework.
A significant concern is the sluggish progress in addressing the crisis in Myanmar, especially as the situation poses risks of greater instability in the region. ASEAN must adopt a more proactive and coherent approach to leverage existing initiatives and formulate an acceptable resolution for all involved parties, thereby demonstrating its dedication to regional stability. The year 2024 will be critical for ASEAN under Laos’s leadership, particularly regarding the formulation and execution of the new ASEAN outlook. In light of increasing global complexities, ASEAN is expected to create not only ambitious but also effective and holistic strategies.
External partners’ active engagement, exemplified by Australia and the Republic of Korea through initiatives like Aus4ASEAN and KASI, reflects a strong commitment to enhancing regional cooperation. These endeavors provide essential support for capacity building in security and infrastructure, fostering a stable and enduring environmental landscape. To realize this vision, ASEAN must tackle notable internal challenges, including divisions among member states and ongoing crises such as the one in Myanmar. Thus, it is imperative for ASEAN to cultivate a cooperative and efficient institutional design that accommodates the diverse needs and dynamics within and beyond the organization. Strengthening interstate alliances and fostering cohesion across its pillars are crucial for enhancing ASEAN’s collective voice and influence on the global stage. Through resilience and balance, ASEAN can fulfill its mandate as a stabilizing force amidst global uncertainties while safeguarding the welfare of its member states and the broader region. This success can serve as a testament to the shared vision and solidarity that ASEAN aims to reinforce in the future.
[i] ASEAN LAO PDR 2024. (2024, July 29). ASEAN LAO PDR 2024 – ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience. https://www.laoschairmanship2024.gov.la/
[ii] Negara, K. S. (2023). KTT ASEAN 2023 Jangkar Stabilitas dan Pertumbuhan Berkelanjutan | Sekretariat Negara. Retrieved from https://setneg.go.id/baca/index/ktt_asean_2023_jangkar_stabilitas_dan_pertumbuhan_berkelanjutan
[iii] Humas. (2023, September 15). ASEAN Concord IV: Legacy Indonesia pada Keketuaan ASEAN 2023. Sekretariat Kabinet Republik Indonesia. https://setkab.go.id/asean-concord-iv-legacy-indonesia-pada-keketuaan-asean-2023/
[iv] Robert Keohane, International Institutions and State Power: Essays in International Relations Theory, (Boulder: Westview Press, 1989), hlm.2.
5 Look Doughlas C.North, Institutions, Institutional Change, and Economic Performance, (New York: Cambridge University Press, 1990) hlm.3.
REFERENCES
ASEAN LAO PDR 2024. (2024, July 29). ASEAN LAO PDR 2024 – ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience. https://www.laoschairmanship2024.gov.la/
Negara, K. S. (2023). KTT ASEAN 2023 Jangkar Stabilitas dan Pertumbuhan Berkelanjutan | Sekretariat Negara. Retrieved from https://setneg.go.id/baca/index/ktt_asean_2023_jangkar_stabilitas_dan_pertumbuhan_berkelanjutan
Humas. (2023, September 15). ASEAN Concord IV: Legacy Indonesia pada Keketuaan ASEAN 2023. Sekretariat Kabinet Republik Indonesia. https://setkab.go.id/asean-concord-iv-legacy-indonesia-pada-keketuaan-asean-2023/
Robert Keohane, International Institutions and State Power: Essays in International Relations Theory, (Boulder: Westview Press, 1989), hlm.2.
Look Doughlas C.North, Institutions, Institutional Change, and Economic Performance, (New York: Cambridge University Press, 1990) hlm.3.
ktt ke-9 asean dilaksanakan di indonesia hasilnya adalah
Href=”https://setkab.go.id/asean-concord-iv-legacy-indonesia-pada-keketuaan-asean-2023/”>https://setkab.go.id/asean-concord-iv-legacy-indonesia-pada-keketuaan-asean-2023/
[iv] Association of Southeast Asian Nations. (2023). ASEAN Community Vision 2045. Retrieved from https://asean.org/asean-community-vision-2045/
The road ahead for ASEAN, particularly under Laos’s chairmanship, is fraught with both challenges and opportunities. The overarching goal remains to enhance regional stability while navigating complex global dynamics. The focus on a New Community Vision is timely and necessary, especially as member states confront shared security concerns and diverse political landscapes.
The Lao leadership must harness ASEAN’s collective wisdom, fostering deeper integration and cooperation while addressing divergent national interests. A balanced approach will be essential to foster resilience within the organization, ensuring that key initiatives translate into practical outcomes that resonate with the aspirations of all member nations.
Moving into 2024, the enduring question is whether ASEAN can transform its aspirations into a robust, unified front amidst external pressures. The attention now shifts to the Lao chairmanship to lead by example, emphasizing the essence of ASEAN’s founding principles while adapting to the demands of a changing world.
In essence, the success of ASEAN in the coming year will be determined by its ability to rise above individual state interests, fostering a spirit of collaboration and mutual benefit that remains the bedrock of its collective identity.
