Event

Please note that this event is digital participation only.

The geopolitical and economic development in the Indo Pacific Area has strengthened Southeast Asia’s political importance and ASEAN’s role as a regional and global actor. ASEAN has established itself as an important meeting place for countries in and outside the region and seeks to become a platform for cooperation and coexistence by countering geopolitical conflict of interests in the region.

ASEAN is at the crossroads of green transition, geopolitical rivalry, and increasing security challenges. The region has a young population, high economic growth, and a key role in global value chains – while also being highly exposed to climate risks and great power conflicts.

In energy and climate policy, many ASEAN countries are balancing between continued dependence on fossil fuels and plans for a green transition. Vulnerability to sea level rise and extreme weather makes climate security an increasingly urgent issue. Economically, ASEAN is attempting to balance the cross-pressure between the USA and China. At the same time, the region plays a central role in China’s Belt and Road Initiative. In terms of security policy, ASEAN’s unity is challenged by the conflict in the South China Sea and the emergence of alliances such as QUAD and AUKUS. ASEAN still seeks to play a central role in regional security issues and with regard to Myanmar, but this is challenging.

We ask: How do ASEAN countries balance economic growth with climate goals? How does ASEAN handle geopolitical rivalry? What role can regional organizations like ASEAN play in peace and conflict resolution issues, such as in Myanmar?

NUPI Director Kari Osland will open and moderate the seminar. Secretary General Kao Kim Hourn will give the lecture Developments in ASEAN: Opportunities and Challenges for Norway, with comments and questions from NUPI researcher Indra Overland. After the lecture, there will be an open Q&A session with the audience.

You can watch the seminar on NUPI’s YouTube channel or via the livestream below.

Related projects

Research project

2020 - 2026 (Ongoing)

Roads to Power? The political effects of infrastructure projects in Asia (ROADS)

Does investing in infrastructure in another country generate increased political influence? ROADS seeks to answer this question by zooming in on China’s global infrastructure role and ...

• International economics
• Diplomacy
• Foreign policy
• Asia

• International economics
• Diplomacy
• Foreign policy
• Asia