ASEAN Drew Global Attention In November With Three Leaders’ Meet

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 2 (Bernama) -- November 2022 etched an important milestone in the history of ASEAN when three of its member states – Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand – hosted three significant leaders’ summit that drew global attention. The three back to back summits were the 40th and the 41st ASEAN Summits and Related Summits (Nov 10-13) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, the G20 Summit (15-16 Nov) in Bali, Indonesia and the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders Meeting (AELM) (16-19 Nov) in Bangkok, Thailand. All three leaders’ summit saw significant outcomes, with world leaders including US President Joe Biden, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Prime Ministers Narendra Modi (India), Anthony Albanese (Australia), Jacinda Arden (New Zealand) and Rishi Sunak (UK) among the big names present. The glorious month for ASEAN started with the meeting of its own leaders in Phnom Penh, where the 10-member grouping agreed in principle to admit Timor-Leste as the 11th member of ASEAN, adding a new chapter to ASEAN’s rich history. Timor Leste now enjoys observer status and is allowed to participate in all ASEAN meetings including at the summit plenaries. Themed Addressing Challenges Together, the summit chaired by Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen deliberated on the way forward for the grouping and the many challenges, including in helping its troubled member state Myanmar. On Myanmar, ASEAN leaders stated that the Five Point Consensus remained as a valid reference and should be implemented in its entirety, along with measurable indicators in its implementation including specific time line and other approaches deemed suitable. The 10th US-ASEAN summit was also held alongside where US President Joe Biden announced the ASEAN-US Comprehensive Strategic partnership, opening up new areas of cooperation vital to the future prosperity and security of the combined one billion US-ASEAN citizens. Biden’s presence at the summit served as an indicator how the superpower is courting the regional grouping as it attempts to balance the power play in the region with China, and enhance trade and investments. Another important meeting held alongside the summit was the 17th East Asia Summit (Nov 13), where leaders reiterated the need to work together to strengthen the global economic recovery. After wrapping up the ASEAN Summit, many of the leaders including Biden and Modi met again for the G20 Summit in Bali, Indonesia that began on 15 Nov. Themed “Recover Together, Recover Stronger”, leaders in attendance looked into ways to resolve many of the global woes plaguing mankind. Held during the post COVID 19 period, war in Ukraine and other global challenges including climate change and global security issues, the G20 summit hosted by Indonesia was seen crucial. Indonesian President Joko Widodo in his opening address called the world to end the war and bridge the divide over Russian invasion of Ukraine that has unleashed geopolitical tensions, and rising energy and food prices that in turn helped fuel inflation. The premier forum for global economic cooperation under its 52-point G20 Bali Leaders Declaration committed the grouping in protecting the most vulnerable from hunger, energy poverty, and in addressing global food crisis. The leaders took note that the COVID-19 pandemic had accelerated the transformation of the digital ecosystem and digital economy. They also agreed that digital technology has become the key for recovery and empowerment across various sectors, as well as opening up the potential of the future economy, especially for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and start-ups. Another highlight of G2O in Bali was the face to face meeting between Biden and Jinping on the sidelines, when relations between Washington and Beijing were at the lowest ebb due to issues relating to Taiwan and others. Indonesia hosted the G20 successfully and its President symbolically handed over the G20 presidency to India by handing over a mallet to Indian prime minister Modi. Immediately after G20, the leaders headed to Bangkok, Thailand for the APEC AELM that began on Nov 16. Due to COVID-19, the AELM in Bangkok themed “Open.Connect.Balance” was the group’s first in-person meeting in four years. APEC leaders recognized that more intensive efforts were needed to address current challenges such as rising inflation, food security, climate change and natural disasters, among others. They also stated their commitment to realise the APEC Putrajaya Vision. Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan 0-cha set the tone for the meeting with his message in the opening address that countries would have to break with past practices to overcome the challenges of the pandemic, climate change and geopolitical divisions. During the APEC CEO summit held concurrently, President Xi Jinping made an important statement that Asia Pacific is no one’s backyard and should not become an arena for big power contest. In Bangkok Xi met with US Vice President Kamala Harris who represented Biden. Leaders also endorsed the Bangkok Goals on the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy, a comprehensive framework to further APEC’s sustainability objectives. As the curtains closed on the summit, Prayuth symbolically handed over the APEC chair to US Vice President Kamala Harris by presenting the traditional Thai bamboo basket “Cahlom”. The U.S.will will host the summit on November 12 next year in San Francisco. The three leaders’ meet was a success. The three host nations and their leaders, and in the bigger picture ASEAN, were in the lime light for a good reason. ASEAN had played a role in addressing global issues. Hosts Hun Sen, Jokowi and Prayuth were also credited for brilliantly handling the forums and the memorable hospitality accorded to the guests of international stature. -- BERNAMA