ADF-RSIS Antalya Diplomacy Forum Panel Discussion on Cooperation and Competition in the Asia-Pacific

Speakers

• Her Excellency Retno L.P. Marsudi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia
• His Excellency Dato H. Erywan Yusof, Second Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brunei Darussalam
• Karin Kneissl, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Austria

Other speaker(s) may be included later

Moderator

• Ambassador Ong Keng Yong, Executive Deputy Chairman of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies

Abstract

The Asia-Pacific region, which accounts for nearly two thirds of the world’s economic output, is the engine for today’s global economy. Its massive population with dynamic human capital and huge market potential, combined with the sea routes vital for global supply chains, are major strategic drivers for stakeholders in the region. New partnerships such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) are taking economic integration further.

Challenges like countering the effects of climate change, the Covid-19 pandemic, and ensuring seamless connectivity are shared concerns of the regional countries. The region, at the same time, is a hotbed of tensions and rivalries.

Beyond existing economic cooperation and diplomatic networks, the quest for supremacy in cutting-edge technologies and competition in security domain have made the Asia-Pacific an intrinsic part of global power politics. Countries both inside and outside the region are seeking partners or allies to secure their geopolitical interests and vulnerabilities. Whilst regional cooperation expands, competition among major powers simultaneously intensifies.

Against this backdrop, can the great power politics dictate a zero-sum future in the Asia-Pacific? Or will the capable and sizable countries of the region be able to set their own agendas? Can regional cooperation unlock the full potential of the Asia-Pacific region and finally overcome the strategic competition? Is there really an alternative path?

This event is co-organised by the Antalya Diplomacy Forum and RSIS