ASEAN report wants enhanced role for U.N.

By Amit Baruah

SINGAPORE, DEC. 4. The ASEAN Eminent Persons Group (EPG) has said there was a need to revamp and enhance the role of the United Nations to make it a global coordinator for the establishment of international institutions and help less-developed countries prepare for globalisation.

In a report submitted to ASEAN leaders recently, the 10-member EPG said the U.N. and its specialised agencies ``appeared relatively weak, both in terms of resources and authority''. ``What is more important is they (the U.N. and the specialised agencies) may lack the credibility and trust from its member States, especially the major world powers,'' the report said.

It, however, suggested to ASEAN Heads of Government that the grouping should invite the U.N. Secretary-General to have consultations at the ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference process as well as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).

The ARF, the EPG said, should be focussing on the restructuring of the U.N. system and ASEAN, as the driving force of ARF, may be faced with the task of making the Forum more effective.

``Recognising that the ARF is a forum for political and security dialogue and whilst resolving issues and conflicts is a long way off, there may be certain expectations for it to be more responsive in addressing particular issues. For example, contributing to existing efforts to further promote peace and stability in the Korean peninsula, addressing the impact of globalisation on security, or forging a common stance on disarmament issues,'' the report stated.

The ARF, the EPG suggested, should also develop a consultative session where representatives from a specific country or countries or organisations or civil society groups can be invited to participate in the session on specific issues.

``To ensure the effectiveness of discussions in the ARF, better preparations for meeting are needed. We would like to propose a briefing by the Secretary-General of U.N. or his representative on the status of international security issues of interest for ASEAN, such as peace-keeping and disarmament,'' the report stated.

Interestingly, the EPG has suggested that ASEAN Heads of Government ``get more involved'' in the ASEAN process to underline that the grouping was acting in concert.

Referring to the large number of ASEAN meetings, the EPG said there was a sense that the proliferation of meetings and discussions some how do not permeate to the peoples of ASEAN and to outsiders that ASEAN was acting in concert.

``Indeed, we strongly feel that the Heads of Government should take full ownership of the ASEAN programme - that is, ASEAN matters should be dealt with in general at that level. The EPG feels that ASEAN Heads of Government should work towards making this goal a reality. The ASEAN mission as it were should not be seen to be primarily moved by the respective Ministries, but rather by the Heads of Government acting in concert,'' the report said.

``Last, but not least, more frequent dialogue among the Heads of Government would increase their personal understanding of one another, and promote general goodwill to a far greater degree...'' the EPG added.

On economic issues, it said as ASEAN economies are developing at a different pace, economic measures should at least be two-track. ``The objective is to reduce the gap among the economies, whilst not impeding the more developed economies to plug in fully to the new knowledge-based economy.''

It suggested that ASEAN take a leading role in building a regional financial architecture, particularly in exchange rate management. According to the report, ASEAN economies should also work closely in the IMF, World Bank and the Asian Development Bank.

``We make no firm recommendation on the further implementation of AFTA (ASEAN Free Trade Area) except to reiterate that member States should view implementation as a matter of priority to stimulate trade and growth in the region. It must be said that the vision to create a new economic environment in ASEAN has already been taking place, although it is likely to be delayed due to the economic crisis, and the problems faced by transition economies. The accelerated implementation of AFTA measures is seen as a bold step, but it should be taken with courage,'' the report said.

It said there was also a case to promote the ASEAN Investment Area, not just in the region, but abroad.

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