The Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ (ASEAN) Conflict Management Approach Revisited: Will the Charter Reinforce ASEAN’s Role?

Abstract

The main aim of this study is to assess the role played by the Association of Southeast AsianNations (ASEAN) in the management and resolution of disputes between its member-states in the South-East Asian region. The ASEAN approach to confl ict management is outlined and the context in which it has developed is presented. The achievements and challenges that ASEAN has faced and is still facing in the fi eld of confl ict management are identifi ed. ASEAN’s contribution to confl ict management in the South-East Asian region is recognized, although the nature of the contribution and the role played by the Association is debated. ASEAN’s model and approachto confl ict and dispute management and the possible impact of the approach on the confl ictsituation in the South-East Asian region are examined from three main dimensions: (1) the core elements of the approach; (2) the role played by the Association in terms of confl ict management;(3) the possible impact of the ASEAN approach in managing disputes among its member-states. The possible impact of recent developments within ASEAN – the ASEAN Charter in particular – isanalyzed in assessing the role that the Association can play in promoting confl ict management.