Jakarta - ASEAN is here to stay, but the bloc must adapt to changing times and adopt a strong, people-centered approach as it moves forward to fulfill its vision for 2045, said Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow.
“ASEAN is here to stay, but ASEAN must adapt to the changing times,” he pointed out in his keynote speech in Jakarta yesterday at the closing plenary of the ASEAN for the People’s Conference.
He also discussed the situation in Myanmar, domestic and foreign policy dynamics, and the ASEAN Community concept.
Sihasak highlighted the situation in Myanmar as an example of ASEAN’s non-interference principle being challenged by real-world circumstances.
He argued that non-interference should not block ASEAN from providing humanitarian aid or facilitating dialogue during crises; instead, it should permit constructive engagement serving regional interests.
On Myanmar, Sihasak expressed the desire for a stable and unified Myanmar, noting upcoming elections as part of a broader peace process and stressing that lasting peace must come from dialogue and reconciliation led by the Myanmar people themselves.
Thailand is ready to facilitate peace talks among all parties in Myanmar, reiterating that peace should not be exploited for domestic political gains.
Sihasak acknowledged that national interests in ASEAN too often trump regional concerns, and that increasing geopolitical rivalry pressures member states to take sides, fragmenting rather than uniting the region.
Conflicts and domestic insecurities remain challenges that threaten regional stability and test public confidence in ASEAN’s ability to deliver positive outcomes for its citizens.
On ASEAN’s principles of consensus and non-interference, he said they must be applied more flexibly, including experimenting with mechanisms like the troika or empowering the ASEAN Chair during emergencies to enable more decisive action.
He stressed that disputes, such as those between Thailand and Cambodia, should be handled with restraint and dialogue, keeping people-to-people ties and youth interests at the forefront.
ASEAN should leverage its convening power not just for meetings, but for setting agendas, driving constructive dialogue, and leading regional security efforts.
Sihasak also underlined that ASEAN must become a genuinely people-centered community, not merely a collection of nations.
He called for broad and inclusive participation in ASEAN affairs, emphasizing the need for mechanisms that amplify civil society, youth, and community voices in regional cooperation.
The strengthening of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) was identified as crucial to better promote and protect the rights and dignity of ASEAN citizens.
Advancing economic development that is both sustainable and inclusive was named as a top priority, with emphasis on environmental protection, digital access, and climate-resilient infrastructure.
Sihasak’s vision is that all stakeholders — governments, civil society, youth, and communities — must work together so ASEAN is not just a regional organization, but a community that delivers tangible benefits in people’s daily lives.
