To preserve regional peace and stability, adopting a comprehensive approach to security challenges and developing friendly and mutually beneficial relations with external partners have been the underlying principles of ASEAN’s approach to political and security issues and developments as the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC). The APSC shall aim to ensure that countries in the region live at peace with one another and with the world in a just, democratic and harmonious environment.
The members of the Community pledge to rely exclusively on peaceful processes in the settlement of intra-regional differences and regard their security as fundamentally linked to one another and bound by geographic location, common vision and objectives. It has the following components: political development; shaping and sharing of norms; conflict prevention; conflict resolution; post-conflict peace building; and implementing mechanisms.
The APSC Blueprint envisages ASEAN to be a rules-based Community of shared values and norms; a cohesive, peaceful, stable and resilient region with shared responsibility for comprehensive security; as well as a dynamic and outward-looking region in an increasingly integrated and interdependent world.
The APSC has the following key characteristics:
1) A rules-based, people-oriented, people-centered community bound by fundamental principles, shared values and norms, in which our peoples enjoy human rights, fundamental freedoms and social justice, embrace the values of tolerance and moderation, and share a strong sense of togetherness, common identity and destiny;
2) A resilient community in a peaceful, secure and stable region, with enhanced capacity to respond effectively and in a timely manner to challenges for the common good of ASEAN, in accordance with the principle of comprehensive security;
3) An outward-looking community that deepens cooperation with our external parties, upholds and strengthens ASEAN centrality in the evolving regional architecture, and plays a responsible and constructive role globally based on an ASEAN common platform on international issues; and
4) A community with strengthened institutional capacity through improved ASEAN work processes and coordination, increased effectiveness and efficiency in the work of all ASEAN Organs, including a strengthened ASEAN Secretariat, as well as with increased ASEAN institutional presence at the national, regional and international levels.
To build a rules-based, people-oriented, people-centered community, the APSC has consistently promoted cooperation in political development that adheres to the principles of democracy, the rule of law and good governance as well as respect for, promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms
Preserving and enhancing peace and stability in the region, the APSC seeks to strengthen the mutually beneficial relations between ASEAN and its Dialogue Partners and other external parties. It also maintains the centrality and proactive role of ASEAN in regional mechanisms that is open, transparent and inclusive, while remaining actively engaged and forward-looking.
In realizing its goals, APSC would strengthen its institutional capacity and presence. This will be pursued through streamlining ASEAN work processes, increasing effectiveness, efficiency and coordination in the work of ASEAN Organs and Bodies, strengthening the ASEAN Secretariat, and increasing ASEAN institutional presence at the national, regional and international levels.
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