Enhancing ASEAN Centrality in the ARF: A Path to a Unified Regional Security Architecture
by Dr. Choi Yoon-jung [Vice President, The Sejong Institute]
► Challenges to ARF's Relevance: The ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) faces challenges from rising geopolitical tensions, the proliferation of competing security dialogues, and internal ASEAN conflicts, which threaten its relevance and centrality in regional security.
► Strategic Balancing: ASEAN must navigate between the U.S.-led security architecture and China's growing influence, maintaining strategic autonomy while preventing a destabilizing arms race and ensuring regional stability through confidence-building and conflict resolution.
► Strengthening ASEAN's Role: To maintain its leadership, ASEAN needs to reinforce its internal cohesion, address emerging issues like AI and cybersecurity, and prioritize regionally resonant agendas, ensuring its central role in regional security and diplomacy.
