Regional Dialogue

Southeast Asia’s record in promoting the notion of non-violence to achieve state and human security is inconsistent. And, while ASEAN’s commitment to the principle of non-interference has been crucial to maintaining peace among its member states, it has assumed practically no role in diffusing intra-state tensions in the region. 

Southeast Asia’s deepening ties with BRICS signal a move to diversify partnerships and amplify their voice in global governance. With Indonesia joining it and Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam showing interest, leaders see BRICS as a platform for multilateralism, South-South cooperation, and economic reform – rather than a turn against the West.

From rooftop gardens to hospital courtyards, cities are reimagining their relationship with food through urban farming. What began as small community projects has grown into a movement that brings resilience and sustainability into everyday life. With initiatives ranging from skyscraper farms to aquaponics systems in public spaces, urban food production is gaining ground. 

After years of deliberation, ASEAN is set to adopt the ASEAN Declaration on the Right to a Safe, Clean, Healthy, and Sustainable Environment (ADER) at the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur in October 2025. Marking the region’s first dedicated framework on environmental rights within ASEAN’s human rights system, ADER is the result of over two years of collaboration between AICHR and ASOEN and with inputs from region-wide CSOs.

Healthy river ecosystems are vital for life. This article presents an innovative approach that fosters positive impacts on the ecological health of rivers, promoting the long-term sustainability of both social well-being and riverine environments.

This article explores the 2025 Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) and its partnership with China’s Belt Road Initiative (BRI), which may open the region to more opportunities in commerce, tourism, and environmentally sustainable travel options.

Ecological threats like poaching, habitat destruction and human-induced climate change not only endanger animals but also plants, in particular highly sought-after ones, like orchids. Malaysia is endowed with rich biodiversity which includes thousands of wild orchid species. 

Multilateralism is vital for addressing global challenges like climate change, yet the outcomes of COP29 in Baku exposed a stark disconnect between high-level policies and grassroots realities. 

Located at the tip of the Philippines, and approximately 118 miles from Taiwan, with almost identical weather, the Ivatans of Batanes have learned to adapt their ways of life while inhabiting the most typhoon-prone islands in the country. 

A female waste picker’s simple dream is, in its own way, part of a much bigger plan toward a plastic-free future for Vietnam. 

Since its establishment in 2009 as part of the ASEAN Regionalism Framework, the AICHR has played a crucial role in advancing human rights in the region. Despite facing criticism, it has withstood significant challenges in the region, including silence of the ASEAN member states on pressing issues such as the Philippines’ “war on drugs” in 2017 and the ongoing crisis in Myanmar and the overall human rights ecosystem in the region.

In a coastal city in the Philippines, poor families in the urban margins participate in the efforts to stem the effects of climate change, yet they are still likely to bear its worst effects. This piece explains why “segregation at source” measures that target households is not enough to stem the tide of plastic wastes. 

Since 2005, the ACSC/APF remains a valuable platform for civil society organizations in Southeast Asia fostering regional advocacy and solidarity. Over the years, it has attracted diverse organisations such as the members of the LGBTQI+. As the 2024 forum was recently held in Timor-Leste in September, this article looks back, reflects on the particular issues and concerns observed through the years and how these could be addressed to provide safe spaces for CSOs, particularly to countries with restrictive regimes.

This web-dossier serves as a platform to share a wide range of knowledge from Southeast Asia experts. 

Despite warnings that Typhoon Yagi would be a superstorm, its aftermath left devastation beyond what Vietnam could have imagined, offering a costly lesson in responding to natural disasters.

Indonesia celebrated its 79th Independence Day with a historic ceremony in Nusantara, the new capital. Outgoing President Jokowi and incoming President Prabowo both took part in the event, symbolizing the shift to a new era. Despite the celebration, the move to Nusantara has sparked mixed reactions and debates.

Now in its 20th year, the ASEAN Civil Society Conference/ASEAN People’s Forum (ACSC/APF, the largest gathering of civil society organizations (CSOs) in Southeast Asia, has held a vital role as a platform for CSOs in voicing various concerns.

Indonesian Tempe Movement (ITM), an organization founded by a three-generation food scientists in Indonesia, has rediscovered the centuries old traditional food – Tempe – and explored the use of different types of leaves in wrapping it. Although modernity has swept across all aspects of life, including food consumptions, many regions in Indonesia still face significant challenges related to malnutrition particularly growth stunting due to economic and natural factors. 

The ASEAN Human Rights Dialogue offers opportunities for Member States to be more transparent and frank in their discussions of human rights – as the key avenue for making stronger progress through normalizing talk of human rights and addressing issues.  

With the changing geopolitical landscape, the Indo-Pacific Region is already beset with ongoing territorial disputes, security concerns, and democratic challenges. Southeast Asia, or ASEAN, is positioned at the heart of the Indo-Pacific.This article focuses on the role of state leadership and the non-state actors in forging a balanced and inclusive regional order as well as a more equitable and resilient Indo-Pacific region.