Asean Must Boost Integration To Counter Geopolitical Risks, Says Vivian

Asean needs to double down on regional integration to enhance the grouping's competitiveness, especially at a time when changes to geopolitical structures and economic policy are taking place worldwide, said Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan.

- Tan Tam Mei

LANGKAWI - Asean needs to double down on regional integration to enhance the grouping's competitiveness, especially at a time when changes to geopolitical structures and economic policy are taking place worldwide, said Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan.

"(Asean) cannot control the agendas of the superpowers, or indeed the larger powers, but we can, and we should focus on integrating ourselves, strengthening our economies, and our connectivity," he told Singapore media in a wrap-up interview following the Asean foreign ministers' retreat in Langkawi, Malaysia, on Jan 19.

Acknowledging the global shift towards more protectionist and nationalistic policies, including the threat of tariffs and trade-restrictive measures by incoming US president Donald Trump, who will be inaugurated on Jan 20, Dr Balakrishnan said Asean will have to adapt accordingly.

"We look forward to his inauguration and to the policies, and we will have to make the necessary adjustments even as he makes changes to his policies," he said.

But to bolster against external pressures, Asean will have to "double down" on regional integration as well as connectivity, and make itself as competitive as possible as a trading partner, an investment destination, or even as an investment source, he said.

"(These can be achieved) by having long-term policies which are consistent, which are reliable, which are trustworthy, and to keep open engagements in an inclusive way with all the major powers," said Dr Balakrishnan.

The closed-door gathering among foreign ministers and representatives from the political and economic grouping's 10-member states took place in Langkawi, and is the first high-level Asean meeting to be hosted by Malaysia, the 2025 chair.

Already, Asean has strengthened its economies and connectivity through several existing trade agreements, both within the region and with its dialogue partners.