Phar, Kim Beng and Hamzah, Luthfy (2025) ASEAN Chairmanship and Related Summits do not end when they end - they carry forward through continuity and consensus. ASEAN Chairmanship and Related Summits do not end when they end - they carry forward through continuity and consensus, NA (NA). p. 1.
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Abstract
This article argues that ASEAN chairmanships and their associated summits should not be understood as discrete or time-bound events, but as part of a continuous process of institutional stewardship anchored in consensus and policy continuity. It contends that each rotating chair inherits not only the visibility of leadership, but also the responsibility to advance unfinished agendas, implement prior commitments, and sustain long-term regional frameworks. ASEAN’s operational logic, therefore, is cumulative rather than episodic, with successive chairmanships building upon shared priorities such as economic integration, digital transformation, and strategic partnerships. The article highlights Malaysia’s 2025 chairmanship as a “hinge moment,” where key initiatives—ranging from semiconductor cooperation and rare-earth development to expanded diplomatic linkages with partners such as the United States, GCC, BRICS, and MERCOSUR—are institutionalised beyond a single term. These priorities are embedded within ASEAN’s broader architecture, including Plans of Action and ministerial mechanisms, ensuring that leadership transitions do not disrupt momentum. Furthermore, the piece underscores that ASEAN’s strength lies in its system of strategic carryover, where consensus-driven agreements, working groups, and Track 2 processes maintain continuity across political cycles. This approach enables ASEAN to preserve coherence despite its diversity and external pressures, reinforcing its centrality in regional diplomacy. Ultimately, the article concludes that ASEAN’s enduring relevance depends on its ability to translate rotating leadership into sustained collective action—where each chairmanship extends, rather than concludes, the organisation’s long-term vision and commitments.
| Item Type: | Article (Electronic Media) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | ASEAN; Malaysia ASEAN Chairmanship 2025; Track 2 |
| Subjects: | J Political Science > JZ International relations |
| Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button): | International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization (ISTAC) Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences > Department of Political Science Office of the Rector |
| Depositing User: | Mr Muhammad Syameer Luthfy Bin Hamzah |
| Date Deposited: | 07 May 2026 16:47 |
| Last Modified: | 07 May 2026 16:47 |
| Queue Number: | 2026-05-Q3236 |
| URI: | http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/128852 |
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