On June 23, Thailand recently hosted the 34th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit. The sides involved discussed a wide range of topics, including trade, regional stability and cooperation in disaster management and emergency response. The ASEAN states also vowed to conclude negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) this year to help the bloc adapt to changes and uncertainties in the region amid trade tensions between the key powers hinting to the developing US-China trade war.
Furthermore, the ten member association adopted the ‘ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific’. This document outlines the organization’s concept and strategy of the Indo-Pacific, in which the Asia-Pacific and the Indian Ocean regions have been regarded as the most dynamic expanse and centre of economic growth.
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