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Climate change

Strengthening Strategic Alliance between ASEAN and African Union to Address Global Challenges

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for a strengthened strategic alliance between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the African Union as two major blocs in the global South. Speaking at the 20th East Asia Summit in Malaysia, President Ramaphosa emphasized the importance of coordinated responses and innovative partnerships to address challenges such as climate change, inequality, and geopolitical instability. He noted that both blocs share values of mutual upliftment and regional solidarity and highlighted the potential for increased trade and economic resilience through enhanced connectivity and peacebuilding across and between regions.

Key Takeaways:

  • President Ramaphosa called for a strengthened strategic alliance between ASEAN and the African Union to address global challenges such as climate change, inequality, and geopolitical instability.
  • The President emphasized the importance of coordinated responses and innovative partnerships to address these challenges.
  • He noted that ASEAN's ethos of "mutual upliftment and regional solidarity is one we share" and resonates with South Africa's values and those embedded in the African Union.
  • Increased trade is one of the tools that can be used by both blocs to drive prosperity, according to the President.
  • Cooperation between ASEAN and the African Union can lead to the development of "solutions to the challenges we all face as developing economies".
  • The President emphasized the need to defend multilateralism and address critical issues such as climate change, development, and resolution of conflict.
  • He called for a renewed commitment to multilateralism and deeper partnerships between the two blocs.

Statistics:

  • Two major blocs in the global South, ASEAN and the African Union, represent billions of people with countries within the groupings still considered developing or emerging nations.
  • The world is facing crises of climate change, inequality, and geopolitical instability, as well as rising protectionism, supply chain disruptions, and unequal access to markets.
  • Increased trade can drive prosperity through improved market access, reduced non-tariff barriers, and enhanced trade connectivity between regions.

Sources:

  • SAnews.gov.za
  • 20th East Asia Summit

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