Overall, the need to reconsider non-interference should not be seen as an abstract moral concern related to the protection of human rights and intra-regional and cross-border environmental interests, but as a question of “practical” necessity without which ASEAN cannot remain relevant and face real changes and challenges. The experience of the United Nations can help. This is the value of consultations between the United Nations and regional organizations on peace-building. ASEAN was founded in August 1967 with the aim of accelerating economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region and promoting peace and stability in the region. The Bali Regional Ministerial Meeting on Counter-Terrorism, jointly organized by Australia and Indonesia, was held from 4-5 February. In a wide-ranging debate on terrorism, ministers noted the link between international terrorism and the transfer of nuclear, chemical and biological materials and the need to cooperate in the prevention of these weapons, and agreed on several recommendations to strengthen transnational crime prevention. Among the specific regional concerns raised by the ministers was the situation in Iraq, the Middle East and the Korean peninsula. With regard to Iraq, the ministers welcomed Iraq`s sovereignty and UN Security Council Resolution 1546. With regard to Korea, they acknowledged the impact of the nuclear issue, recognized the importance of the six-party talks held in Beijing on 23 and 25 June, and called for continued efforts to “find a lasting solution for peace and stability on the Korean peninsula”.
The experience of the last decade of the 20th century has shown that conflicts in the 21st century are more internal than intergovernmental. Is there a role for regional organizations in this kind of conflict? Should regional organizations be allowed to intervene? If so, how much? Specifically, will there probably be internal conflicts in Southeast Asia that would warrant ASEAN intervention? The 9th ASEAN Defence Ministers` Meeting (ADMM) was held on 15 and 17 March in Langkawi, Malaysia. On 16 March, the ten defence ministers signed a joint declaration emphasizing regional security cooperation, particularly against terrorist threats from groups such as Islamic State (IS). On 12 February, Secretary-General Le Luong Minh delivered a speech in which he reaffirmed the importance of the IAEA protection system. He stressed the crucial role played by the IAEA in THE FRAMEWORK of SEANWZ and encouraged ASEAN member states to cooperate fully with the IAEA. The 25th ASEAN Summit was held on 10 November under the presidency of Myanmar. The President expressed his concerns about the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and other regional and international security issues. On 18 November, ASEAN foreign ministers signed the agreement to establish the ASEAN Humanitarian Assistance Coordination Centre in disaster management. The signing ceremony served as the official launch of the centre. The Centre`s objective is to strengthen the collective response of ASEAN countries to regional disasters. The APSC Council was established and was tasked with coordinating regional efforts to accomplish pre-defined tasks and objectives, in accordance with the project schedule.