ASEAN Rises as Strategic Fulcrum in Changing World Order

By Samantha Tan Chiew Tieng

PUTRAJAYA, July 14 (Bernama) -- The 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) and related meetings, which capped off successfully last Friday, undoubtedly strengthened ASEAN as a central player in regional diplomacy amid heightened geopolitical competition.

Far from serving as mere forum for dialogue, ASEAN has been increasingly seen as a key actor capable of shaping the future of regional stability and security, economic cooperation and in advancing multilateralism.

bootstrap slideshow

As the host of the 58th AMM, Malaysia has demonstrated its diplomacy finesse, leading high-level discussions among ASEAN Foreign Ministers and with their external partners that included major powers such the United States, China, Russia, the European Union, India and Japan.

Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Associate Professor of the School of Social Sciences, Dr Benny Teh Cheng Guan, said the involvement of major powers underscores ASEAN’s critical role in regional diplomacy and navigating the evolving power dynamics of the Indo-Pacific.

He said while Beijing wants to project itself as a reliable partner through consistent economic outreach, Washington has sought to reaffirm its commitment to the region by intensifying diplomatic engagement and balancing China’s growing influence.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described his first engagement at the AMM as "extraordinary", as he stressed Washington’s commitment to ASEAN as its primary diplomatic platform in Southeast Asia,

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, meanwhile, emphasised the importance of ASEAN as both a priority in its neighbourhood diplomacy and a foundational partner in promoting a shared regional future.

He also reaffirmed Beijing’s commitment to upholding a rules-based global order – anchored in United Nations (UN) principles – and pledged to continue supporting ASEAN’s centrality in addressing regional challenges.

"They are reassuring ASEAN of their commitment to the region, while underscoring the organisation’s central role in regional diplomacy amidst big power rivalry.

"It shows ASEAN's strength in setting the agenda and providing an indispensable platform for ASEAN members to strategically engage their counterparts on a wide range of issues deemed important to the bloc," Teh told Bernama.

Teh also welcomed increasing global interests towards ASEAN, noting them as a positive development that highlights the bloc’s growing influence.

He said ASEAN’s appeal stems from its unique combination of economic dynamism, political stability and a socially tech-savvy population – making the region an attractive partner in a shifting global landscape.

"However, ASEAN should exercise caution to ensure any partnership expansion strengthens rather than burdens the bloc," he said.

Teh added that the bloc must take proactive steps to reinforce its relevance, strengthen internal cooperation, and defend multilateral principles.

"ASEAN should work closely with its dialogue partners to uphold a rules-based international order and defend multilateral norms, strengthen inter-ASEAN trade cooperation and collectively reject protectionism as well as push for reforms to deepen integration and diversify trade flows," he said.

The four-day event, held under Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship 2025 with theme ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability’, witnessed important decisions that underscored the bloc’s deep-rooted principle of unity, neutrality, and inclusivity.

Among the highlights was the notable progress made on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Treaty. 

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said China will sign the Protocol of the SEANWFZ without reservation, as soon as all the documentation is ready.

He also revealed that ‘two to three’ nuclear-weapon states (NWS) have also contacted Malaysia, as this year’s ASEAN Chair, to resume earlier discussions on the treaty.

On Myanmar, the AMM has reasserted the call for stakeholders to cease hostilities and violence, and engage in inclusive dialogue to de-escalate the ongoing crisis as precondition to holding elections.

In line with this, Mohamad said he plans to go Myanmar in September to present the junta with a ‘wishlist’ aimed at restoring peace and democracy in the country.

The AMM meeting reiterated support for Timor-Leste full accession to the bloc, which is expected to be announced in October. 

In conjunction with the meeting, Malaysia also co-hosted the Fourth Ministerial Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD IV) with Japan and Palestine on reconstruction in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. 

Amid the broader agenda, a series of bilateral and trilateral meetings also took place between allies and rivals alike. 

One of the most closely watched meetings was between Rubio and Wang, marking their first in-person engagement since the former’s appointment in January.

Separately, Rubio also held a meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, with discussions centred on global situations – including the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, as well as on the readiness of Moscow and Washington to resume their high-level cooperation.

These diplomatic interactions were not only significant, but also deeply symbolic – reflecting ASEAN and Malaysia’s vital role as conveners of dialogue in a time of global tensions. 

The ministerial-level meetings may have concluded, but diplomatic efforts continue in full swing behind the scenes, laying the groundwork for the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits that are taking place in October. 

-- BERNAMA