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Published on August 8, 2007

For Asean, life begins at 40, or so it seems. After all, the 10-member organisation has survived against all odds. The region was a very different place when Asean was established in 1967. It was the height of the Cold War and the region was polarised between the free world and communism. Non-communist countries in Southeast Asia got together to face common challenges posed by communist neighbours. When the Cold War ended, it was a time for reconciliation between friends and foes. Eventually, Burma, Laos, and Cambodia joined the Asean family. But this expansion has had its pros and cons. Burma's entry into the grouping in 1997 for instance and its subsequent intransigence has continued to weigh down Asean.

For the past four decades, Asean members have strengthened their relations through political and economic cooperation. They have also closely observed the two cardinal principles of non-interference and consensus to maintain harmonious intra-Asean ties. At the same time, the grouping has also proven to be a valuable partner for Western countries wanting to engage the region in friendly relations.

Within Asia, the grouping has also served as a cushion between China and Japan, the two Asian giants that remain at odds. Asean's strong ties with the two heavyweights have resulted in increased economic cooperation. Another emerging power, India, has also participated in various Asean-led processes in the past few years, transforming Asean into a catalyst for regional economic development and integration.

As the grouping turns 40 today, Asean has its sights set on building a strong community of nations. All member countries are now committed to establishing an Asean Community in 2015 that comprises three pillars: a security community, an economic community, and an Asean sociocultural community. Asean knows this is a tall order to fill.

Asean leaders decided in 2003 to draft an Asean charter which would make Asean a legal entity. The first draft of the Asean charter has been completed and was advanced to the grouping's foreign ministers when they met recently in Manila. Specific revisions and amendments will be in the works before the ministers meet again at the end of the September, prior to the final draft being finalised by Asean leaders.

Contentious points, such as the imposition of sanctions against members, the definition of non-compliance and the use of a majority vote in Asean decision making processes, would be deferred to Asean leaders when they meet in Singapore in mid-November. They now have to decide on these controversial issues put forward by their foreign ministers without first seeking consensus as they would have in the past. The Singapore summit is pivotal because Asean leaders have to decide not only on the charter, but also on other wide-ranging issues including protection of the environment, climate change and sustainable development.

Asean has always been a top-down organisation. It will remain so for the foreseeable future. Attempts have been made to make the organisation less elitist and more people-oriented with bottom-up input from, say, civil society organisations. Asean leaders, especially those elected democratically, have pushed for more of an inclusive decision-making process. Thus far, no consultative process has been established between Asean and civil society organisations. In the future, such groups must have a place in the Asean scheme of things, especially institutionalised consultation with Asean senior officials.

Letting the citizens of Asean member countries have more of a say in the organisation's decision-making process would make Asean more relevant to common people. It is interesting to note that at the Asean meeting in Manila, the grouping agreed to assist Asean citizens during times of emergency, especially when they are outside of Asean countries. This offer of protection for Asean citizens is one of the most tangible efforts to make Asean more people-oriented.

Inevitably, Asean has to do more for its citizens. Every effort must be made to ensure that Asean is indispensable as part of their lives both at home and abroad. Therefore, the Asean charter must be designed to serve ordinary citizens as well as to achieve greater economic, political and social integration. The future of Asean depends on it.