Arroyo talks struggle of ASEAN on being ‘fastest’ growing region
Former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo addressed the struggles of the ASEAN community in keeping up with the label of being the ‘fastest’ growing region as the group celebrates its 50th year on Tuesday, November 14.
Photo from BusinessWorld
At the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit 2017 at the Solaire Resort and Casino in Parañaque City, the Pampanga 2nd district representative looked on how the region would become in the next 50 years as it faces future threats and questions.
“If we are the fastest growing region in the world today, in 50 years, we will most likely be a mature, more modest growth region and if we are unsure of global security today because of nuclear threats and terrorist threats, what will we face in 50 years?” Arroyo said.
Arroyo mentioned that hitting the ASEAN goals nearly a decade from now would give it a “great chance” in becoming a stronger economy in five decades, where the region would be highly integrated and cohesive, and at the same time inclusive and people-centered.
“If we achieve our vision in 8 years, we have a great chance of being a global force in 50 years, but if we can’t even achieve that vision in 2025, we’ll have an uphill battle,” she explained.
Arroyo also said that there is a need to break down non-tariff barriers in the region, and implementation of agreements that can bring down the barriers of labor flow.
She illustrated on the background of the ASEAN and how it emerged from an obscure regional grouping into one that is now associated with success. The former ASEAN chair suggested that the group can look into transforming from consensus to majority rule when making decisions.
“The future belongs to those nations that seek common ground to resolve common problems. This is true in virtually every aspect of our lives: economy, social justice, security. Will we transform from consensus to majority rule? I believe so,” Arroyo said.
Arroyo explained that as ASEAN matures through the years, the majority rule may arise in economic, social, and environmental concerns, where national interests often differ because of disparate geography, population, and economic and social conditions.
“At the same time, majority rule does not mean the tyranny of numbers, for ASEAN has clout because it is 10 unified nations speaking and dealing with the world as one,” she continued.
She also highlighted that though ASEAN may be made up of small nations, it still commands respect because the countries should know how to “advance and sacrifice for the common interest.”
For Arroyo, the ASEAN region can achieve success if it reached a vital integration by 2025, when the region as a global economic force has shown its potential to world.
