Abstract
This article examines the initiatives of The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Japan through the cooperation of Government to Government (G2G) and the Special ASEAN Summit to combat the pandemic collectively. The initial cooperation through the coordinated “Integrated Recovery Plan” has been very significant for the future of ASEAN and the resilience of a post-COVID-19 world by way of maintaining market stability in order to avoid the potential risk of economic recessions and public health emergencies. This synergism is seen as one of the best mechanisms to help ASEAN in ensuring socio-economic activities are restored and the welfare of about 600 million people is addressed. This research found that ASEAN Plus Three (APT) cooperation should formulate a Regional Recovery Plan and emphasize that the continuity of the supply chain should be maintained to ensure a smooth flow of food and medical supplies. Secondly, APT cooperation needs to be committed to the continuation of opening up markets, maintaining normal trade, services and investment flow in order to continue strengthening regional economic resilience. Thirdly, APT needs to formulate a plan that focuses not only on financial aspects (post-COVID-19 economic recovery) but also on social security networks, food security and education.
Highlights
The fight against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is not over yet
Japan could cooperate with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states such as Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, which are already working on national action plans in Business-Human Rights nexus and well-established human rights institutions installed in most ASEAN states, with the aim to improve the human rights status in the region
As the pandemic continues to loom over the region and affects lives along its path, international cooperation, especially regionally coordinated responses would be at the forefront of the recovery period of the post COVID-19 pandemic
Summary
The fight against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is not over yet. A year after the outbreak started in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, it has infected 85.5 million people and sacrificed 1.85 million lives globally. WHO early mismanagement of this pandemic is indicative that it does not have adequate institutional power and funding to handle the pandemic, this is due to its cautious communication and reliance on China This insufficiency serves as a signal for middle and small powers alike to forgather in an effort to survive and co-exist with the virus in the years to come. Home to 600 million people, ASEAN must ensure that socioeconomic activities be restored to pre-pandemic levels through a comprehensive and responsive recovery plan and safeguard the resilience and stability of post-pandemic years. It will be challenging for ASEAN to navigate this recovery, but through a combination of regional and international cooperation, there is some prospect that this is taking shape gradually. This article will attempt to elucidate the impact of COVID-19 in ASEAN and how open regionalism strengthens the solidarity and cooperation between ASEAN and ASEAN Plus Three (APT) partners, especially Japan, in post-COVID-19 recovery
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