Since the 1992 ASEAN Declaration on the South China Sea, ASEAN has been perceived as either ineffective or pivotal in promoting a more rules-based regional maritime order. In 2002, ASEAN and China signed the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), in which all disputing parties committed to “exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities that would complicate or escalate disputes… including, among others, refraining from action of inhabiting on the presently uninhabited islands, reefs, shoals, cays, and other features,” and to resolve their differences in a constructive manner. More significantly, the 2002 DOC obligated ASEAN member states and China to work toward concluding an effective Code of Conduct. However, 23 years—and several newly built artificial islands—later, tensions continue to rise, with China now closer than ever to operationalizing its nine-dash line claim. ASEAN’s consensus-based approach to decision-making, known as the “ASEAN Way,” has arguably left the bloc ill-equipped to address escalating maritime disputes. This panel will evaluate ASEAN’s efforts to promote the rule of law in maritime Southeast Asia and aims to produce actionable policy recommendations for overcoming current limitations.

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Fish stocks in ASEAN waters have declined by 70-95% since the 1950s, with catch rates falling by 66-75% over the past two decades, according to the most recent studies by multiple scientific organizations. Activities such as giant clam harvesting, dredging, and the construction of artificial islands have severely damaged over 160 square kilometers of coral reefs. This panel will address the following questions:

• What are the key factors contributing to the collapse of fish stocks?
• How can Southeast Asian states collectively address these critical issues to safeguard theregion’s human and food security?

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https://www.youtube.com/live/_e3LRcoW2ZM?si=iCKzaLn2Dr0am1ei&t=420

How can governments safeguard their institutions and the public from foreign malign influence operations that seek to confuse their people, poison political discourse, and make outright violations of international law seemingly acceptable and coercion, justifiable?

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Officials from Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, and Vietnam, along with a senior diplomat from the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs, will participate as panelists and address the following questions:

• What is your government’s perspective on the negotiations for a Code of Conduct that has lingered for nearly three decades? What are the primary challenges inhibiting its completion, and when can we expect a finalized draft?
• Is ASEAN still the preferred mechanism for ensuring stability and security in the South China Sea?
• What roles do extra-regional mechanisms such as AUKUS, the US-Japan-Philippines trilateral partnership, and the QUAD play in promoting a rules-based maritime order in Southeast Asia? Do you view these mechanisms as undermining ASEAN Centrality or complementing it?

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Subsea cables form the backbone of global telecommunications and the internet, enabling the essential and day-to-day functions across governments, businesses, and broader society. In 2010, the United Nations described submarine communication cables as “critical communications infrastructure” and “vitally important to the global economy and the national security of all states.” Given the crucial role of subsea cables in the modern world and the challenging environment in which they are situated, these vital infrastructures are inherently vulnerable to a wide range of risks, both intentional and accidental. In addition, the recent uptick in damage reports related to subsea cables in the Baltic Sea and Taiwan has heightened concerns of sabotage amid intensifying geopolitical conflicts. Within this context, this panel will assess this emerging maritime security issue and address the following questions:

• What is the current security status of undersea cables traversing regional waters?
• What is the role of maritime Southeast Asia in the global subsea cable network?
• What institutional mechanisms exist within ASEAN to protect subsea cables from threats such as espionage, sabotage, and accidental damage?
• What policy gaps remain, and what challenges must be overcome?
• What lessons can be drawn from similar incidents in other regions such as the Baltic Sea and Taiwan?

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Coast Guard organizations have emerged as the primary agencies for maintaining maritime safety and security in Southeast Asia, particularly in sea areas within national jurisdictions. In recent years, however, the increasing prevalence of “gray zone” coercion at sea has expanded the role of coast guards beyond constabulary maritime forces. They now play a crucial role in ensuring littoral states in the South China Sea maintain jurisdiction over their territorial seas, EEZs, and continental shelves in accordance with international law. This session will address the following questions:

• How are regional Coast Guard organizations responding to the increasing use of “gray zone” coercion in Southeast Asian waters?
• What challenges hinder closer Coast Guard cooperation in Southeast Asia?
• What steps can be taken to ensure that the emerging ASEAN Coast Guard Forum evolves into an impactful institution that promotes adherence to international law and fosters effective regional cooperation to address maritime challenges?

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