Concept Paper
International Conference on Changing Global Landscape and
Its Implications on Regional Architecture
Background
During the past few decades, there has been an increase in transnational
challenges - from terrorist attacks to infectious disease outbreaks - which defL the
old notions of security. This profound change has emphasised the imperative of
cooperation among States to collectively respond to their common threats.
Although multiple actors including United Nations are pursuing their own
objective to overcome these challenges, it has been proved to some extend that no
single body or institution can cope with the multidimensional aspects of these
security threats.
The willingness of major powers to use multilateralism to find collective solutions
to global problems is an important development. This is reflected in the recent
revival of efforts to promote nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. This also
reflects the changing nature of global security landscape from arm race during the
Cold War towards cooperation to bring nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament
into reality.
On economic front, the centre of the global economy is shifting from the Atlantic
to the Pacific. China has surpassed Germany as the world largest exporting
country in 2009. With the present trend, it will surpass Japan as the second biggest
economy in the world in 2010 and even overtake the US as the world largest
economy by 2030. India is also catching up with China as another Asian giant.
Apart from the two aforementioned dimensions of changing global landscape,
international community has begun to look more carefully into other emerging
issues especially climate change and food and energy security which affects
liveable conditions for all sharing the surface of the planet irrespective of their
origins. The concepts of sustainable development and universal standard of living
have been introduced and received relatively increasing attention.
These changes have posed new transboundary and intertwined challenges
reflecting the nature of the globalised and interdependent world. Regional and
global cooperation and concerted efforts are required to overcome these
challenges. In the last few decades, regional groupings have emerged as a means
to forge closer cooperation among countries with common interests.
East Asia is a region of diversity in which regional groupings are growing since
the founding of ASEAN in 1967 followed by the establishment of many ASEANled
regional fora and arrangements and ASEAN Community building to be
realised in 20 15. These mechanisms and forum have served the region reasonably
well despite some shortcomings. Nevertheless, the existing mechanisms are being
confronted by new challenges, opportunities and uncertainty and are being tested
whether they remain sufficient and efficient for steering the region forward to
overcome challenges and reap the opportunities.
Currently, preliminary ideas of Asia-Pacific community (APc) and East Asia
community (EAc) were proposed by Prime Minister Rudd of Australia and Prime
Minister Hatoyama of Japan respectively as a new framework for regional
cooperation. The questions are: 'what is our ultimate goal and in which direction
are we going?', to achieve that 'do we really need a new yet possible duplication
of existing mechanisms to move forward or can't we just improve what we already
have in hands?' and 'what are the factors which must be taken into
consideration?' to make an informed decision.
Their role of major and emerging powers in the region is perhaps one of the
crucial factors to be taken into account. To date, we have observed Japan's and
China's influence in East Asia evolving regional architecture, Australia's interests
to increase her role in shaping the direction for the Asia-Pacific, India's Look East
Policy, and the US engagement in Asia-Pacific to revitalize Asia-Pacific
relationship. These raise some questions such as 'Is this the same power play - a
legacy @om the Cold War?' Or 'is it going to be a constructive multiplayer
engagement?' ' What should be their role in regional arrangements' ' Which
issue(s) should be a starting point: development, disaster management?' 'How do
existing mechanisms can be used to facilitate such engagement or a new
jFamework is required?' 'How can the people in the region benefif j?om this
phenomenon and what will it take?'
Objective
The objective of this conference is to exchange views on the factors contributing
to the changing global landscape and examine its implications on regional
architecture. The Conference will also discuss ways to enhance regional
cooperation in East Asia and beyond.
Role of Participants
As this International Conference will be an open event, attendees are encouraged
to share their views with and pose questions to panelists.
Draft as of 10 February 201 0
International Conference on
Changing Global Landscape and Its Implications on Regional Architecture
World Ballroom C, Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at Centralworld
Bangkok, Thailand
5 March 2010
TENTATIVE PROGRAMME OF ACTIVITIES
I Friday 5 March 2010 1
0830 - 0900 hrs Registration of Participants
Opening Remarks
by Associate Professor Piniti Ratananukul, the President of the
East Asia Academic Cooperation Council (EACC) of Thailand
Keynote Address on Evolving Regional Architecture:
Challenges and Opportunities
by Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, Secretary-General of ASEAN (TBC)
Coffee Break
Session I: Changing Global Strategic Landscape and Its
Implications on Current Regional Architecture
Speakers: -Maj. Gen. Dipanker Banerjee, Director, Institute of
Peace and Conflict Studies, India
-Professor ZHU Liqun, Assistant President, China
Foreign Afairs University, China
Lunch
Venue: World Ballroom A
Session 11: Evolving Regional Architecture and Role of Major
and Emerging Powers
Speakers: -Dr. Pankaj Jha, Associate Fellow, Institute for Defence
Studies and Analyses, India
-Dr. Tang Siew Mun, Acting Director, Bureau OJ
Foreign Policy and Security Studies, ISIS Malaysia
1515 - 1630 hrs
1630 - 1645 hrs
1645 - 1730 hrs
Draft as of 10 February 2010
Session 111: Prospect for Enhancing Existing Regional
Architecture and/or Developing New Regional Architecture in
East Asia and Beyond
Speakers: -Professor Takashi Terada, Institute for Asian Studies,
Waseda University, Japan
-Associate Professor Simon SC Tay, Chairman,
Singapore Institute of International Afairs, Singapore
-Associate Professor Prapat Thepchatree, Director,
Thammasat University Research and Consultancy
Institute, Thailand
Coffee Break
Session IV: Wrap-up
nwdsrlu International Conference on Changing Global Landscape and
Its Implications on Regional Architecture
hslni i 5 i j u ~ 2~55u3
nd l i 8 4 World Ballroom C I s s ~ b 3C~en tara Grand &
Bangkok Convention Centre at Centralworld
Registration Form
International Conference on Changing Global Landscape and
Its Implications on Regional Architecture
Friday 5th arch 2010
at World Ballroom C, Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at Centralworld
Name and Surname .............................................................................................................
Designation. ........................................................................................................................
Organisation .......................................................................................................................
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Fax No. ...............................................................................................................................
E-Mail : ................................................................................................................................
(Please clearly indicate your email address as it will be used for dissemination of additional documents)
Please return complete registration form by 26 FEBRUARY 2010 to
Ms. May Apiphathanamontri via
Fax 0-2643-5232 or E-Mail :
mmaymm0508@hotmail.comShould you have any query, please do not hesitate to contact
Ms. May Apiphathanamontri via email or Tel. 0-2643-5000 ext 4475
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