Latest news with #TreatyontheSoutheastAsiaNuclearWeapon-FreeZone
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Dangerously unprepared Asean needs own nuclear 'deterrence'
THE proliferation of nuclear powers in Asia is no longer confined to Cold War-era rivalries. It now includes China, India, Pakistan, North Korea and potentially Iran. Even South Korea flirts with the idea of an indigenous deterrent. Invariably, the Australia-United Kingdom-United States (AUKUS) security pact, which provides nuclear-powered submarines to Australia, signals the irreversible arrival of nuclear propulsion technologies in Southeast Asian waters. Asean, bound by the 1995 Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ), finds itself encircled by these shifts. Without urgent steps to reinforce its unity, voice and institutions, Southeast Asia risks becoming collateral damage in an era of nuclear brinkmanship. The logic is simple: nuclear proliferation requires collective non-nuclear resilience. With no integrated missile defence, no mutual defence treaty and little capacity to respond to nuclear escalation scenarios, Asean stands dangerously unprepared. Any nuclear clash would send shockwaves through Asean. Economies would suffer. Diplomatic space would shrink. Populations could be displaced. Yet Asean has no coherent contingency framework for such scenarios. What makes the situation more precarious is that Asean's security platforms— like the Asean Regional Forum— are now being sidelined by exclusive minilateral pacts. The Quad, AUKUS, and trilateral dialogues involving the US, Japan and South Korea increasingly define regional security priorities, sidelining Asean's once-vibrant forums. These new clubs dictate terms on deterrence and defence cooperation while Asean remains absent from the room where nuclear security decisions are made. To remain relevant, Asean must reclaim space in regional dialogue. It must articulate a common position on arms control, non-proliferation and strategic transparency. Failure to do so leaves Asean in the role of a bystander, watching its strategic environment change without its input or consent. Asean's nuclear-free status also suffers from a long-standing credibility gap. The SEANWFZ Treaty has yet to be signed by any of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council — China, US, UK, France and Russia — who worry about its impact on their naval and aerial freedom of operation. However, as nuclear-powered submarines traverse Southeast Asian waters and US and Chinese military vessels shadow each other near Asean coastlines, this gap becomes glaring. Asean must restart its diplomacy with these powers, not only to safeguard Asean's nuclear-free identity but also restore its global credibility as a normative leader in arms restraint. Confidence-building measures (CBMs) offer another avenue. Asean could propose missile test notification systems, crisis communication hotlines and rules against the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons near or within its maritime zones. The Asean Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus provides an existing platform to implement such initiatives. What's lacking is the collective political will. As the US and China engage in intensified rivalry, some Asean states face growing temptation or pressure to align militarily with one side. Such alignment may bring with it security guarantees but could also involve hosting military infrastructure that undermines the region's nuclear-free ethos. Maintaining neutrality is not about silence or indecision — it requires coordinated diplomacy and strategic coherence. A stronger Asean gives member states the ability to resist external coercion, uphold regional norms and avoid becoming pawns in nuclear gamesmanship. Equally urgent is the need to address rising technological vulnerabilities. Nuclear threats today are not only from bombs but also from cyber manipulation of nuclear infrastructure, surveillance systems and command-and-control mechanisms. As small modular reactors and artificial intelligence-powered early warning systems proliferate, the region needs an institutional upgrade. Asean must build capacity for nuclear oversight, crisis simulation, and technical coordination with global agencies such as the International Atomic Energy Agency. Finally, public education must not be neglected. Deterrence theory and arms control are often locked away in policy circles. Yet in an age of social media disinformation, misperceptions about nuclear policy can inflame domestic debates, push nationalist agendas and provoke poor decision-making. Asean's nuclear-free status must be grounded in both legal frameworks and widespread public understanding. Asean's only sustainable response lies in becoming stronger, more agile and more credible. It must speak not only for peace, but with the capacity to preserve it.
The Sun
25-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
ASEAN Foreign Ministers adopt draft Addendum to SEANWFZ to facilitate Timor-Leste's membership
KUALA LUMPUR: ASEAN Foreign Ministers have considered and adopted the draft Addendum to the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ), signifying another concrete step in Timor-Leste's path towards full membership in the regional bloc. According to Wisma Putra, the decision was made during the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) chaired by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, here today, ahead of the 46th ASEAN Summit. The ministry said the draft addendum, which had been finalised by the SEANWFZ Executive Committee during its meeting on April 29, 2025, provides the legal basis to enable ASEAN member states and Timor-Leste to undertake the necessary domestic procedures for accession. 'Its adoption marks a significant step forward in Timor-Leste's integration into ASEAN's political and security frameworks,' it said in a statement after the AMM. The meeting also adopted the Guidelines to Facilitate Timor-Leste's Accession to ASEAN Legal Instruments and Agreements, marking continued progress towards the country's full membership in the regional bloc. Timor-Leste was granted observer status in ASEAN in 2022 following the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summit in Phnom Penh and has since been taking part in meetings and capacity-building programmes in preparation for full membership. Wisma Putra stated that during the meeting, foreign ministers of ASEAN and Timor-Leste also reaffirmed their collective commitment to regional peace, stability, and prosperity in the face of intensifying geopolitical and economic challenges. 'The discussions centred on strengthening ASEAN's strategic autonomy, advancing the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, and enhancing the region's capacity to play a proactive and constructive role in regional and global affairs,' it said. The 46th ASEAN Summit and its related meetings, which are being held under Malaysia's 2025 chairmanship themed 'Inclusivity and Sustainability', are expected to address a wide range of pressing regional and international issues, with the ongoing crisis in Myanmar remaining a key point of concern for ASEAN member states. This year marks Malaysia's fifth time chairing the regional bloc, having previously held the ASEAN chairmanship in 1977, 1997, 2005, and 2015. In addition to the ASEAN-level meetings, two important inter-regional summits – the 2nd ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and the ASEAN-GCC-China Summit – will also take place on May 26 and 27, signalling the growing engagement between Southeast Asia and its strategic partners in the Gulf and China.
The Sun
25-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
ASEAN Foreign Ministers adopt draft Addendum to SEANWFZ
KUALA LUMPUR: ASEAN Foreign Ministers have considered and adopted the draft Addendum to the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ), signifying another concrete step in Timor-Leste's path towards full membership in the regional bloc. According to Wisma Putra, the decision was made during the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) chaired by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, here today, ahead of the 46th ASEAN Summit. The ministry said the draft addendum, which had been finalised by the SEANWFZ Executive Committee during its meeting on April 29, 2025, provides the legal basis to enable ASEAN member states and Timor-Leste to undertake the necessary domestic procedures for accession. 'Its adoption marks a significant step forward in Timor-Leste's integration into ASEAN's political and security frameworks,' it said in a statement after the AMM. The meeting also adopted the Guidelines to Facilitate Timor-Leste's Accession to ASEAN Legal Instruments and Agreements, marking continued progress towards the country's full membership in the regional bloc. Timor-Leste was granted observer status in ASEAN in 2022 following the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summit in Phnom Penh and has since been taking part in meetings and capacity-building programmes in preparation for full membership. Wisma Putra stated that during the meeting, foreign ministers of ASEAN and Timor-Leste also reaffirmed their collective commitment to regional peace, stability, and prosperity in the face of intensifying geopolitical and economic challenges. 'The discussions centred on strengthening ASEAN's strategic autonomy, advancing the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, and enhancing the region's capacity to play a proactive and constructive role in regional and global affairs,' it said. The 46th ASEAN Summit and its related meetings, which are being held under Malaysia's 2025 chairmanship themed 'Inclusivity and Sustainability', are expected to address a wide range of pressing regional and international issues, with the ongoing crisis in Myanmar remaining a key point of concern for ASEAN member states. This year marks Malaysia's fifth time chairing the regional bloc, having previously held the ASEAN chairmanship in 1977, 1997, 2005, and 2015. In addition to the ASEAN-level meetings, two important inter-regional summits – the 2nd ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and the ASEAN-GCC-China Summit – will also take place on May 26 and 27, signalling the growing engagement between Southeast Asia and its strategic partners in the Gulf and China.
New Straits Times
25-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Timor-Leste set to join Asean nuclear weapon-free zone under new addendum
KUALA LUMPUR: The Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) has considered and adopted the draft addendum to the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ). The addendum provides the legal basis to enable Asean Member States and Timor-Leste to undertake the necessary domestic procedures for accession. Its adoption marks a significant step forward in Timor-Leste's integration into Asean's political and security frameworks. Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, who chaired the meeting, has also handed over the addendum draft in a ceremony to the depository state, Thailand. "We believe that Timor-Leste's inclusion in the SEANWFZ security framework is a crucial step towards its integration into Asean and the broader regional security architecture. "It is my sincere hope that member states can begin undertaking the necessary domestic processes with a view to concluding Timor-Leste's accession process with the SEANWFZ Treaty by the 47th Asean Summit and related summits," he said briefly after handing over the draft. The draft was finalised by the SEANWFZ executive committee during its meeting on April 29. The meeting has also adopted the Guidelines to Facilitate Timor-Leste's Accession to Asean Legal Instruments and Agreements, marking continued progress towards Timor-Leste's full membership in Asean. During the AMM meeting, Asean foreign ministers and Timor-Leste also reaffirmed their collective commitment to regional peace, stability, and prosperity in the face of intensifying geopolitical and economic challenges. The discussions centred on strengthening Asean's strategic autonomy, advancing the Asean Community Vision 2045, and enhancing the region's capacity to play a proactive and constructive role in regional and global affairs. On the situation in Myanmar, Mohamad also proposed the extension and expansion of ceasefires beyond the currently affected zones as a constructive step towards a broader cessation of violence and the effective implementation of the Five-Point Consensus (5PC). He highlighted the importance of ensuring a safe and enabling environment for the delivery of humanitarian assistance and the rebuilding of affected communities.
Malaysian Reserve
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Malaysian Reserve
ASEAN adopts SEANWFZ addendum, backs Timor-Leste accession and Myanmar proposal
By HIDAYATH HISHAM ASEAN foreign ministers have adopted the draft addendum to the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ), following its finalisation by the SEANWFZ Executive Committee on April 29, 2025. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Wisma Putra) said in a statement that the addendum was endorsed during the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) held in Kuala Lumpur, chaired by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. 'During the Meeting, the Foreign Ministers of ASEAN and Timor-Leste reaffirmed their collective commitment to regional peace, stability, and prosperity in the face of intensifying geopolitical and economic challenges,' Wisma Putra said. The ministry said the addendum will serve as a legal basis for ASEAN member states and Timor-Leste to begin domestic procedures for accession to the treaty. The meeting also adopted the Guidelines to Facilitate Timor-Leste's Accession to ASEAN Legal Instruments and Agreements, further strengthening the country's path to full membership. On Myanmar, the ministry said Malaysia proposed extending and expanding ceasefires beyond currently affected zones to support implementation of the Five-Point Consensus. It said the proposal also called for creating a safe environment for humanitarian aid and facilitating post-conflict recovery efforts. The meeting also reviewed progress on the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and exchanged views on key regional and global issues impacting Southeast Asia.
