ASEAN-IPR – UN WORKSHOP: ASEAN Perspectives in Conflict Management and Conflict Resolution in the Region
Jakarta, Indonesia, 5-7 December 2018
More than fifty (50) participants coming from ASEAN Member States – including government and military officials, as well as non-governmental representatives – participated in the ASEAN-IPR – UN Workshop: ASEAN Perspectives on Conflict Management and Conflict Resolution in the Region. They were joined by regional and international resource persons, in a workshop co-organised by the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation (ASEAN-IPR) and the United Nations Department of Political Affairs (UN-DPA), on 5-7 December 2018 in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Convened under the framework of the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Blueprint 2025, ASEAN-IPR Three-Year Work Plan 2018-2020, as well as the ASEAN-UN Plan of Action 2016-2020, the Workshop aimed to highlight the best practices and lessons learned from ASEAN governments, civil society and all stakeholders on the issue. Moreover, the Workshop also endeavoured to look into global trends and perspectives, and provide comparative examples from other regions on the aforementioned topics.
Executive Director of ASEAN-IPR, Rezlan Ishar Jenie, highlighted that the many practical experiences and technical expertise have mostly remain dispersed across the region. Therefore, in line with the ASEAN-IPRs mandate and functions, the Institute aims – through this Workshop – to provide a platform for exchange of undocumented regional best practices of peace processes and reconciliation.
Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for Community and Corporate Affairs, H.E. AKP Mochtan, underscored that conflict (whether in the form of inter-state or cross-border conflict), namely avoidance or prevention of such conflict, has been at the heart of ASEAN – notwithstanding the different jargons or terminologies used. Moving forward, he encouraged for ASEAN-IPR and its relevant UN counterparts to further explore various other modalities to exchange knowledge and experiences.
The United Nations Regional Coordinator for Indonesia, Ms. Anita Nirody, underscored that the joint initiative truly provides a good example of a regional organisation working together with the UN and other international partners towards our shared goals of promoting peace and stability through the prevention of conflict.
During the three-day period, participants exchanged views and shared expertise on global as well as regional trends and experiences in conflict management and resolution, including from a perspective of human security and gender. Discussions and exchanges further focussed on ceasefire and cessation of hostilities monitoring and verification, as well as peace-building with particular attention to best practices and lessons learned from the experiences of Indonesia (Aceh), Myanmar and the Philippines (Mindanao).
Moving forward, Member of the UN Secretary-Generals High-Level Advisory Board on Mediation, H.E. Marty Natalegawa underlined the ASEAN-IPR as one of the most important instrument in ASEAN, and expressed confidence that the Institute could be more impactful in the region – namely in maximising its function to provide recommendations and pooling expertise on peace, conflict management and resolution, and reconciliation.
Representative of Thailand and incoming Chair of the ASEAN-IPR Governing Council, Dr. Darmp Sukontasap, noted the many food for thought for the Institutes way forward, and was confident that participants and speakers alike would leave the Workshop with much clearer idea of what good looks like and what to do to ensure everybody wins in issues that each participant may be involved in.
For the ASEAN-IPR, the Workshop marked the first initiative by the Secretariat of the Institute since its operationalisation in late 2017. The Institute will also hold a Symposium on the Establishment of an ASEAN Women for Peace Register (AWPR) next week in Cebu, Philippines.
*******