MALAYSIA'S chairmanship of Asean next year comes at a pivotal moment of economic recovery following the pandemic, increasing geopolitical tensions, and worsening environmental crises.
Malaysia's previous contributions to Asean lay the groundwork for its upcoming leadership.
Since Asean's establishment in 1967, Malaysia has been instrumental in shaping the organisation's priorities.
Notably, during its 2015 chairmanship, Malaysia facilitated the establishment of the Asean Community, which integrated the bloc's three pillars: political-security, economic and socio-cultural.
This achievement reflected Malaysia's vision of a cohesive and integrated Southeast Asia.
Furthermore, Malaysia's commitment to Asean's core principles of neutrality, regional stability and inclusive growth has been evident in its policies and initiatives.
The current regional landscape presents challenges and opportunities for Malaysia's chairmanship.
Economically, Asean is poised to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic, with a projected gross domestic product growth of 4.9 per cent this year, driven by trade, investment and digital transformation.
Asean's total trade volume reached US$3.5 trillion this year, underscoring the bloc's economic vitality.
However, persistent non-tariff barriers and uneven economic development among member states hinder deeper integration.
Geopolitically, tensions in the South China Sea and the escalating United States-China rivalry pose risks to regional stability.
The increase in naval incidents in disputed waters highlights the urgent need for a unified Asean response.
Additionally, the unresolved crisis in Myanmar continues to challenge Asean's credibility and cohesion.
Southeast Asia is increasingly vulnerable to climate change too, contributing to 11 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions and experiencing over 50 major natural disasters this year.
Rising sea levels and extreme weather events jeopardise livelihoods, highlighting the need for collective action.
As Malaysia assumes the chairmanship next year, it has a significant opportunity to tackle these urgent issues through strategic initiatives.
Economic integration will be a primary focus, with Malaysia poised to leverage its leadership to advance the implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the world's largest free trade area that can serve as a platform for reducing trade barriers and fostering economic cooperation.
By advocating for harmonised standards and improved digital connectivity, Malaysia can promote Asean's digital economy, projected to contribute US$1 trillion to regional GDP by 2030.
Initiatives like the Asean Digital Innovation Fund, aimed at supporting small- and medium-sized enterprises in adopting new technologies, could boost economic growth and inclusivity.
On the geopolitical front, Malaysia's leadership will be pivotal in navigating major power dynamics and addressing regional security concerns, especially on the South China Sea dispute.
Malaysia can also use its chairmanship to advocate for a unified Asean by hosting a regional summit to foster greater understanding and cooperation among stakeholders.
On Myanmar, the stagnation in implementing the Five-Point Consensus, designed to address the political and humanitarian crisis, has weakened Asean's credibility.
Thus, a proactive engagement with stakeholders, including the Myanmar military and opposition groups, can revitalise Asean's role as a mediator and advocate for peace and stability in Myanmar.
On climate change, Malaysia can lead initiatives to promote a green agenda in the region, plus addressing food security through regional cooperation could mitigate the impacts of climate-related disruptions.
Enhancing disaster preparedness and response mechanisms will strengthen Asean's resilience to natural disasters, protecting lives and livelihoods.
Social and cultural initiatives will play a prominent role during Malaysia's chairmanship.
Promoting education exchange programmes and strengthening regional cultural identity through preservation initiatives can foster greater unity and mutual understanding among Asean's diverse populations.
Celebrating Asean's cultural diversity through initiatives such as an Asean Cultural Heritage Year could promote regional solidarity and pride.
Malaysia's leadership will be bolstered by data-driven strategies and collaborative efforts.
Asean's economic performance, including a trade volume of US$3.5 trillion and a growing digital economy, lays a strong foundation for advancing integration.
Geopolitical realities, such as increased investments from China (US$25 billion this year) and the US (US$15 billion this year), emphasise the need for balanced engagement.
Important environmental data, highlighting significant greenhouse gas emissions and natural disaster occurrences in the region, underscores the urgency of sustainability initiatives.
By aligning its agenda with these realities, Malaysia can ensure a pragmatic and impactful chairmanship, advancing the bloc's progress amid complex challenges.
*The writer is a retired Indonesian diplomat
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times