Center for Southeast Asian Studies - CSEAS’ Post

Indonesia's Free and active foreign policy will always shape President-elect Prabowo's Key Policy decisions; however, does his personal International and Western upbringing complement his nationalist tendencies as a retired General? https://lnkd.in/ggV8KN8A

For the Pacific Islands Development Program's Pacific Islands Report, EWCW Young Professional alumna Lei Nishiuwatoko discusses opportunities for #Japan's mutual cooperation with Pacific Islands: https://bit.ly/3yZtuYU

Happy to share that my recent article titled 'Ind(ia + onesia): An Equation Across Ages', exploring the India - Indonesia relations in terms of diplomatic, economic, strategic and cultural ties on the eve of 75 years of their partnership has been published by IFPP - Indian Foreign Policy Project. Check it out at https://lnkd.in/g_5BAhJc and let me know what you think!

🌍 New Article Published on Medium! I’m excited to share my latest commentary entitled "AOIP and the South China Sea Dispute." This article delves into one of the most geopolitically charged regions in the world, unpacking its intricate disputes and ASEAN’s efforts to navigate through the turbulence. 📌 Key topics covered: The overlapping sovereignty claims by China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, and Taiwan in the South China Sea; The role of global powers like the U.S., Japan, and Australia in shaping the conflict through freedom of navigation operations; ASEAN’s Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) as a roadmap for inclusivity, cooperation, and rule of law amid great power rivalries; The realist vs. constructivist perspectives on the AOIP’s efficacy in transforming South China Sea tensions; and The challenges and opportunities for ASEAN’s unity and Centrality in promoting peace and sustainable development.

https://lnkd.in/g-G2Tfcf The ASEAN way can be slow, infuriatingly slow. But it generally gets there.

Got invited again by BusinessWorld Publishing Corporation to share my insights for one of their latest articles on international affairs. This article centered on the viability of the diplomatic protest made by Malaysia in light of the recent ratification of the twin maritime policies. This, I speculate, could possibly reignite again the talks on Sabah — depends highly on public clamor. Then again, however, even the UN recognizes Malaysian sovereignty over the disputed territory. Therefore, should talks once again transpire, our links with our neighbor — that is currently being bolstered — will certainly be affected. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/ghkWw2eV?

#SamvadaArticle Indonesia’s Unyielding Posture on Sovereignty in the South China Sea: A Strategic Position for Regional Peace writes Saisha Kamla Duudha China has aggressively claimed almost all of the South China Sea waters, including parts of Indonesia’s EEZ- a development that has been of great concern. Indonesia has a good standing in advocating the peaceful resolution of conflicts by dialogue and multilateral engagement. As long as China continues to stake its claim over the region, Indonesia’s position as a champion of maritime rights can go a long way in deciding the future of Southeast Asia. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gBKAW_mj

Another comment on Prabowo's recent foreign visit to France-Serbia-Turkiye-Russia for The Jakarta Post. I argue that this visit exposes an early sign of his pragmatic and personalistic approach to Indonesia's foreign policy, which might distinguish Prabowo's foreign policy with the Jokowi's ones. Definitely this is very early and we need to wait until we have a new Foreign Minister appointed by Prabowo, but if Prabowo's active foreign visit continues, there would be a sign of a more 'personalistic and active' foreign policy. centred on the office and character of the President, in the next few years. https://lnkd.in/gkVN4-nn

A diplomatic conference is history in the making. And our Member States began writing another chapter in the history of our organisation when they convened this week for the final leg of negotiations on a proposed treaty on genetic resources and traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources.   I am no stranger to international negotiations. Ten years ago, I was in Bali for the World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference. It was the culmination of years of difficult and – at times – fractured negotiations. Meetings throughout the night that, thanks to flexibility on all sides, brought us to a successful outcome.   Listening to opening statements on the first day of our Dip Con, I heard a similar determination: a commitment to be inclusive and transparent, bringing all voices to the table, including those from indigenous peoples and local communities; a willingness to look for common solutions; and a desire to seize the moment after 25 years of work.   The road to this diplomatic conference has been long and winding, but we are here today, which already bodes well for multilateralism and the ability of the IP system to evolve. I echo DG Daren Tang’s message at the opening ceremony: that we need to “marry passion with pragmatism, and channel the same spirit of flexibility, accommodation and consensus that has brought us now to the cusp of a truly landmark agreement.”   I wish all the delegates the best of luck in the coming two weeks as they work to bridge their remaining differences. World Intellectual Property Organization – WIPO #traditionalknowledge #GrTkDipCon #multilateralism #intellectualproperty Thumbnail photo: WIPO/Berrod