COVID-19 and the ASEAN Chair Agenda: Vietnam’s Lost Year? and Brunei’s, Too?

In this paper, Dr. Oehlers states that “There is mounting concern the COVID-19 pandemic may negatively affect progress with several crucial issues confronting the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Precautionary measures such as restricted travel have virtually paralyzed progress while intensifying impacts have injected additional priorities on already crowded agendas, all to be addressed by Chairs facing increasing constraints. Efforts by the current and next incoming Chair – Vietnam and Brunei, respectively – will likely mitigate circumstances. ASEAN may also wish to consider bolder temporary measures to signal and reassure a sustained continuity and focus on these crucial priorities, despite the extraordinary challenges now faced.”