Crossroads, Lifelines and Guardrails: 2023 Southeast Asia Regional Geopolitical Update

Crossroads, Lifelines and Guardrails: 2023 Southeast Asia Regional Geopolitical Update

The ANU Southeast Asia Institute (SEAI) is excited to announce the inaugural Southeast Asia Regional Geopolitical Update on Monday 1 May 2023. SAVE THE DATE to join us as we analyse, debate, and better understand contemporary security developments in the sub-region of Southeast Asia as a whole and explore themes spanning multiple Southeast Asian countries.

This landmark Regional Geopolitical Update will adopt the original and timely theme of 'Crossroads, Lifelines, and Guardrails'. We tackle Southeast Asia’s geographical, historical, and socio-political condition as a crossroads for trans-regional flows of people, goods, beliefs and practices. We also unpack Southeast Asia’s current sense of standing at the crossroads of game-changing geopolitical transitions. The Update addresses four inter-linked question sets:
 

• Can Southeast Asian states continue to avoid invidious choices between the great powers? What does ‘strategic equilibrium’ look like for Southeast Asians?
• How will Southeast Asian political economies ensure the security of critical supply chains and technology, and the sustainability of development imperatives? 
• What are the best ways of securing sea lines of communication and vital land routes given strategic uncertainties? 
• How can the region update and innovate mechanisms for guarding against intramural disputes as well as external tensions and armed conflicts?

Keynote Address: Dr Vivian BALAKRISHNAN, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Republic of Singapore

Update Convenor: Professor Evelyn GOH, Australian National University

Speakers are leading scholars and practitioners of Southeast Asian security, including:
 

• Associate Professor Pichamon YEOPHANTONG, Deakin University 
• Dr VŨ LÊ Thái Hoàng, Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam
• Dr Rizal SUKMA, Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Jakarta 
• Dr Darren LIM, Australian National University
• Professor Joseph LIOW, Nanyang Technological University
• Professor KUIK Cheng-Chwee, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
• Professor KHONG Yuen Foong, National University of Singapore 
• Professor Natasha HAMILTON-HART, University of Auckland
• Professor Mely CABALLERO-ANTHONY, Rajaratnam School of International Studies
• HE Dr Chanborey CHEUNBORAN, Ambassador of Cambodia to Australia
• Associate Professor Jay BATONGBACAL, University of the Philippines
• Vice Admiral TNI Dr Amarulla OCTAVIAN, Indonesian Defence University

Conference participation is by prior registration only, both for in-person and online-attendance.

IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE 
We would love for you to join us in person, in the Molonglo Theatre on the ANU Campus, on Monday 1 May. 

ONLINE-ATTENDANCE
The Southeast Asia Regional Geopolitical Update will adopt a hybrid platform for online attendance. Details are available upon registration. 

REGISTRATION 
Registration details please visit Zoom Event. 

Program

8.15-8.45am: Conference Registration

9am: Welcome and Keynote Address

• Professor Sally WHEELER, ANU Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International & Corporate)
• Dr Vivian BALAKRISHNAN, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Republic of Singapore
• Q&A moderated by Professor Evelyn GOH, Australian National University
• Professor Helen SULLIVAN Dean, ANU College of Asia and the Pacific

10-10.30am:  Morning Tea

10.30am: Panel 1 - Southeast Asia as and at Crossroads

Can Southeast Asian states continue to avoid invidious choices between the great powers? What does ‘strategic equilibrium’ look like for Southeast Asians?

• Professor KUIK Cheng-Chwee, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
• Dr VŨ LÊ Thái Hoàng, Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam
• Dr Darren LIM, Australian National University
• Professor KHONG Yuen Foong, National University of Singapore
• Chair: Dr Katrin TRAVOUILLON, Australian National University

12-1pm:  Lunch

1pm: Panel 2 – Securing Lifelines at the Crossroads

Given growing geopolitical challenges, how can Southeast Asian countries and societal actors best maintain their developmental imperatives? How will Southeast Asian political economies ensure the security of critical supply chains and technology?

• Associate Professor Pichamon YEOPHANTONG, Deakin University
• Professor Mely CABALLERO-ANTHONY, Rajaratnam School of International Studies
• Professor Natasha HAMILTON-HART, University of Auckland
• HE Dr Chanborey CHEUNBORAN, Ambassador of Cambodia to Australia
• Chair: Dr Nicholas CHAN, Australian National University

2.30-3pm:  Afternoon Tea

3pm: Panel 3 – Developing Guardrails for Regional Stability

What are the best ways of securing sea lines of communication and vital land routes in Southeast Asia, given strategic uncertainties? How can the region update and innovate mechanisms for guarding against intramural disputes as well as external tensions and armed conflicts?

• Professor Joseph LIOW, Nanyang Technological University
• Dr Rizal SUKMA, Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Jakarta
• Associate Professor Jay BATONGBACAL, University of the Philippines
• Vice Admiral TNI Dr Amarulla OCTAVIAN, Indonesian Defence University
• Chair: Dr Eve WARBURTON, Australian National University

4.30-5pm: Closing Remarks

• Professor Evelyn GOH, Australian National University