Philippine Graphic: You have assumed the post of Secretary-General of ASEAN at this very difficult period in the history of the Association following the regional economic crisis and other issues. What, in your view, are the challenges facing ASEAN today? Severino: ASEAN is faced with challenges such as it has not faced before - the [...]
Introduction The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has been fostering cooperation to combat transnational crime for more than two decades. ASEAN was initially concerned with the abuse of narcotics and trafficking in illegal drugs. However, with the expansion and diversification of transnational crime to include terrorism, arms smuggling, money laundering, illegal migration, and piracy, [...]
JAKARTA -- As long as it is conducted in a fair manner, world trade must, on balance, be viewed as beneficial to all the peoples of this planet. Fairness means playing by the rules and bringing as many players as possible within the same rules-based regime. It also means taking the interests of all members [...]