As the world transitions to 2016 following a year where the threat of terrorism, climate change and migrant crises made headlines, ASEAN more than ever needs to have a more unified voice, said panellists on Channel NewsAsia’s World Review 2015.

The panel of academics, politicians and economists called on ASEAN countries to be more assertive while establishing a neutral attitude during tensions between superpowers such as China and the United States.

“This year, the escalation of the tension between America and China, in particular, has pushed the member states of ASEAN to take sides,” said Dr Farish A Noor, Associate Professor at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS).

“I think historically, ASEAN, since 1967, has never wanted to take sides,” Dr Farish added, saying that ASEAN has been weak at finding a “common voice”.

Dr Farish was joined by fellow panellists Dr Michael Pulch, the European Union Ambassador to Singapore; Mr Ong Keng Yong, Ambassador-at-Large who is also the Executive Deputy Chairman of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies; Ms Isabelle Barras, Head of the Regional Delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Kuala Lumpur; and Mr Song Seng Wun, Regional Economist with CIMB Private Banking.