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The primary focus of this handbook is to evaluate ideas at the global level, the possibility for the peaceful accommodation of rising powers, and at the regional level, exploring how and when regions transform into conflictual orders or, alternatively, offer models for cooperation that might emulated globally. First, at the global level, change related to power transitions and the peaceful status accommodation of rising powers, as well as the creation of a just world order, often produces much conflict and violence. Second, the change in regional orders from conflict to cooperation and the possibilities of producing security communities where stable peace exists and member-states do not envision or prepare for war to settle disputes. Third, domestically the positive change might seem to flow from improvements to state capacity and democratic order that allow states to have a positive impact on international and regional orders through greater contributions to international cooperation.

This multi-phase project explores the different forms and modes of HADR cooperation and coordination in Asia and the Pacific. Phase 1 was completed on 31 March 2019. It involved designing and developing an accessible and centralised repository of data for policy-relevant research on ASEAN Member States’ (AMS) HADR engagements. Initial work included tracking financial and in-kind assistance, government personnel mobilised, and military assets deployed by AMS to four major large scale rapid on-set natural disasters.

Phase 2 will examine how civilian-military relations shape, influence, facilitate and/or hinder cooperation and coordination in HADR. It will consolidate, organise and analyse data on the network of relations between and among civilian-military and military-military actors in the region pre-, during, and post-emergencies and disasters.

This research project will assess (i) the humanitarian developments in Myanmar regarding the Rakhine Crisis; and (ii) Southeast Asian humanitarian contributions in Rakhine and to the search for durable solutions. The assessment will include an exploration of the institutional responses to the crisis including the Union Enterprise for Humanitarian Assistance, Resettlement and Development in Rakhine (UEHRD) which will detail the new HADR mechanism in place. It will also explore other institutional developments in Myanmar in response to the situation in Rakhine. This research project will also investigate the current and potential Southeast Asian contributions to the humanitarian effort through bilateral and multilateral avenues in particular through ASEAN mechanisms. This project will result in the production of a policy report.

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has created several mechanisms to facilitate climate change mitigation efforts in developing countries. Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) were established to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the energy and forestry sectors respectively. This research assesses the interactions among actors involved in these initiatives in countries across Southeast Asia. It aims to examine the gaps and challenges in implementing climate mitigation solutions proposed by multilateral institutions such as the UNFCCC. It identifies best practices in optimising such solutions at the national level.

This research project seeks to understand perspectives from Asia on the dynamics, limits and possibilities of humanitarian action. This is against the background of increasing contributions to global governance from the region. The research project will also assess the current status of multilateral humanitarian settings, review bilateral humanitarian cooperation and discuss the evolving role of non-traditional humanitarian actors. This project reflects on the commitments made at the World Humanitarian Summit 2016 in which stakeholders from different sectors came together to identify ways in which to reform the global humanitarian system. The follow up conference will bring together these scholars to share their perspectives and contribute them to a special edition of a journal or edited volume.

Singapore imports more than 90 per cent of its total food consumption, and grows some quantities of eggs, fish and vegetables. There are plans of boosting these numbers, although any initiative will need to value-add to the country’s economy and productivity. In order to be more food secure amid the limitation of space, the government has supported technologies such as vertical farming, and provided funding to help farmers upgrade practices. This study will look into the types of technologies that can be leveraged to boost farming’s productivity, and allow for greater production within the limits of space, water and labour. It will further study the enabling environment for technology, focusing on the technology-policy interface.

This project aims to examine the current threats to food safety in ASEAN and explore ways to foster and enhance collaboration on food security. This project will produce a policy-relevant paper on how ASEAN as an institution, and its member states can address the types of food-borne diseases (FBD) that have plagued the region over the years. This is to be achieved by mapping out the ASEAN institutions involved in FBD management, and identifying gaps when compared to successful FBD management systems in countries/institutions such as Denmark and the European Union. This study will be limited to the top three to four diseases related to biotic factors (such as bacteria, parasites, and viruses), identified based on World Health Organization (WHO) Data. Literature review and stakeholder interviews will be done to provide insights on the ground. This research is being done in collaboration with the newly established NTU Food Technology Centre (NAFTEC).

The project explores pathways toward building a robust framework for nuclear energy governance in the Asia Pacific, including ASEAN. It has the following objectives: i) To look into the nuclear energy plans of East Asian/ASEAN countries, including the construction of nuclear power plants in the region, ii) To examine the regulatory frameworks on nuclear energy in ASEAN and the Asia Pacific and iii) To explore the feasibility of a “wider regional framework/blueprint for nuclear energy cooperation in the Asia Pacific”, building on some of the existing regional frameworks such as the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapons Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Treaty, Forum for Nuclear Cooperation in Asia, etc.