When the Asean leaders converge on the Lion City later this month for their 32nd summit, a myriad of challenges awaits their deliberations formally and informally. Here are five key priorities that they are expected to tackle:
First, Asean centrality must be further strengthened. It has become the grouping's most important rallying point. Growing competitiveness and assertiveness among major powers have sent chills down spines in the region. The current chair, Singapore, knows full well, as a small state with nine other like-minded partners, that Asean could form a formidable bulwark against any intrusive great powers. Since its inception, Asean has been quite able to counter foreign threats. This time, Asean centrality encompasses more than just small-big state relations.
Kavi Chongkittavorn is a veteran journalist on regional affairs.
