Asean needs a non-aggression pact before it's too late

Peace and stability in Southeast Asia are constantly threatened by three types of challenges.

- Michael Tene

First, internal instability within member states, as the crisis in Myanmar shows. Second, disputes between Asean members, such as the Thai-Cambodia conflict. Third, external pressures from great power rivalries. Of these, interstate disputes pose the gravest challenge to Asean, as preventing them lies at the heart of its founding purpose.

Asean was established to promote and maintain regional peace and stability. Its primary objective has always been to ensure peaceful relations among countries in Southeast Asia.

The main tools to achieve this are the legally binding Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) and the Asean Charter. These instruments undergird economic, social and cultural cooperation that promote regional development and shared interests, thereby strengthening Asean’s comprehensive security architecture.

By and large, Asean has been successful. Relations among member states have remained peaceful over the past few decades.

But peace in Southeast Asia should never be taken for granted. Unresolved maritime and land boundaries mean the risk of conflict remains real, as the border skirmishes between Thailand and Cambodia remind us. While the potential sources of conflict can never be entirely removed, Asean must be vigilant and keep them dormant.

A TREATY ON NONAGGRESSION