ASEAN Summit Grapples with Complex Challenges Amid Biden’s Absence

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Gathered for their final annual summit, leaders of Southeast Asian nations, spearheaded by Indonesian President Joko Widodo, find themselves mired in a labyrinth of unresolved issues. These range from the persistent internal conflict in Myanmar and renewed tensions in the disputed South China Sea, to the enduring geopolitical struggle between the United States and China.

The series of meetings for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is slated to begin on Tuesday in Jakarta, Indonesia, under heightened security measures. The absence of U.S. President Joe Biden from these proceedings casts a further pall over the traditional ceremonies and collective engagements that usually underscore the unity of this 10-member bloc.

Subsequent to Tuesday’s internal deliberations, the ASEAN leadership will engage in broader discussions with Asian and Western allies from Wednesday through Thursday. These interactions have historically served as platforms for extensive dialogue on subjects like free trade, climate change, and global security, but have also been arenas for Sino-American competition.

China’s Premier Li Qiang is scheduled to participate in the meetings, including the 18-nation East Asia Summit, where he will encounter U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, attending in lieu of President Biden, as well as Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

While Biden has chosen to forgo the ASEAN summit, he will be journeying to Asia for the G20 Summit in India and a subsequent state visit to Vietnam. U.S. officials have downplayed the implication that ASEAN is being sidestepped in America’s foreign policy focus. At a recent press briefing in Washington, John Kirby, a national security spokesperson, emphasized the administration’s sustained commitment to the Indo-Pacific region.

Previously, in November, President Biden was present at ASEAN summit meetings held in Cambodia, and in May 2022, he hosted several ASEAN leaders at the White House. This was aimed at signaling Washington’s commitment to Southeast Asia, even as it navigates challenges such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Marty Natalegawa, a distinguished former foreign minister of Indonesia, voiced concern over Biden’s nonattendance. However, he asserted that the more acute issue is the diminishing influence of ASEAN on the global stage.

ASEAN, founded in 1967, operates on a principle of non-interference in the domestic affairs of its member states and mandates unanimous consensus for decisions. This approach has resulted in a heterogeneous membership but has also limited the bloc’s capacity to impose sanctions for state-perpetrated abuses.

Natalegawa highlighted ASEAN’s inadequate response to human rights abuses in Myanmar and its muted reaction to recent confrontations in the South China Sea as exemplars of the organization’s waning significance. He pointed out that member states are increasingly turning to either the U.S. or China for security support.

Concerns over Myanmar’s internal conflict and territorial disputes in the South China Sea are poised to overshadow the summit’s agenda yet again. Although Indonesia has sought to shift the narrative toward economic growth under the theme “ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth,” these pressing geopolitical and security dilemmas persist.

The European Union has signaled that its relationship with ASEAN could be strained if Myanmar assumes any leadership role within the bloc. In response, Myanmar’s military government has indicated it may relinquish its scheduled chairmanship in 2026, according to confidential sources within the diplomatic community.

There are also questions about Myanmar fulfilling its three-year role as coordinator for ASEAN-EU relations starting next year. Myanmar’s military figures have been excluded from attending ASEAN summits due to non-compliance with a peace plan designed to halt violence and initiate dialogue with opposition parties.

Since the military coup in Myanmar, approximately 4,000 individuals have been killed and over 24,400 arrested, as per data from the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.

In a bid to make the organization more responsive, ASEAN member states are considering amending rules to allow decision-making even in the absence of full consensus. Dinna Prapto Raharja, a Jakarta-based international relations analyst and professor, emphasized that the credibility of ASEAN is at stake if it remains ineffectual in addressing ongoing crises.

“As time goes by, all these opportunities simply evaporate,” Raharja noted.

Contributions to this report were made by Big Big News journalists Jim Gomez and Andi Jatmiko in Jakarta, Indonesia, and Christopher Megerian in Washington.

For additional coverage on Asia-Pacific issues, visit https://bigbignews.net/asia-pacific.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about ASEAN Summit Challenges

More about ASEAN Summit Challenges

• ASEAN Official Website
• U.S. Department of State: U.S.-ASEAN Relations
• European Union and ASEAN Relations
• Assistance Association for Political Prisoners: Myanmar Coup Data
• South China Sea Disputes: An Overview
• U.S.-China Relations: Policy Documents and Reports