ASEAN Sets Example for Peacebuilding through Economic Integration
The Asia-Pacific region has been a driving force for peace since the Treaty of San Francisco in 1952, and its economic integration is a key factor in this achievement. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), formed in 1967, has grown to include 11 countries and has become the fifth-largest economy in the world with a GDP of over $4 trillion.
ASEAN's success story has not only increased commerce but also regional stabilization and peace. The signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in 2020, which includes Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea, further solidified economic cooperation in the region.
Economists and politicians have long debated whether trade contributes to peaceful relations between states. However, ASEAN's experience shows that peacebuilding through economic means is more about building economic capacity and trade interdependence than simply trading goods between nations.