Looking At the Functions of ASEAN Secretariat General

The ASEAN Secretariat General is described as the administrative head of the regional organization. This institution is tasked with coordinating, facilitating and monitoring the implementation of all ASEAN agreements.

KOMPAS/HERU SRI KUMORO

The flags of participating countries at the 42nd ASEAN Summit fluttered in Golo Mori, Komodo District, West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara, Monday (8/5/2023).

The existence of the ASEAN Secretariat General is very important in maintaining the daily operations of the regional organization. The problem is, many people in Southeast Asia are not familiar with the ASEAN Secretariat, whose building is located in Jakarta.

The ASEAN Secretariat General, in Article 11 of the ASEAN Charter, is described as the administrative head of the regional organization. This institution is tasked with coordinating, facilitating and monitoring the implementation of all ASEAN agreements or projects.

For the 2022-2027 period, the position of ASEAN secretary-general is chaired by Kao Kim Hourn from Cambodia. In an exclusive interview with Kompas in April 2023, Kao explained that the focus of the ASEAN Secretariat General's work was to ensure the implementation of ASEAN's views on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP).

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“The key lies in real-work programs and projects. This makes ASEAN dialogue partners trust and want to invest capital, finance and technology in ASEAN member countries," he said.

Kao emphasized that these real-work projects can also reduce political rivalries between superpowers and various international security pacts in Southeast Asia.

The ASEAN principle is clear, namely not taking sides with anyone and not being against anyone. "All types of cooperation are carried out in an inclusive and transparent manner. The Secretariat General coordinates cooperation and bridges between dialogue partners and member countries," he said.

KOMPAS/RADITYA HELABUMI

Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi welcomes ASEAN Secretary General Kao Kim Hourn at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers (AMM) Retreat meeting at the ASEAN Secretariat, Jakarta, Friday (3/2/2023).

Researcher on ASEAN issues for the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Khanisa Krisman, when contacted in Jakarta on Sunday (7/5/2023), said one thing that must be understood was that ASEAN was different from other regional organizations, for example the European Union. ASEAN does not have a headquarters or head office, but a secretariat. This underlines that in ASEAN, each member country has one vote so decisions are taken by way of deliberation.

"The Secretariat General is not a decisionmaker and cannot arrange members to take action," she said.

The secretariat functions as a data collector on the implementation of ASEAN agreements and projects. Every year, it produces a report on the progress of the implementation.

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Because of this, Khanisa said it would be misleading if parties said there was a need to strengthen the ASEAN Secretariat General, because the mandate of this institution is limited. It would be different if there were several functions that were dissected and studied.

“For example the supervisory function. Does this mean that the Secretariat General can also encourage the fulfillment of the targets agreed upon by each member, or is it only a reminder for members to carry out the agreement even if it is perfunctory?” she said.

Who can guarantee [this organization] meet its performance standards?

Khanisa said the term of office of the secretary-general was five years or five times longer than the chairman of ASEAN. Not every country that becomes ASEAN chair has the same spirit or enthusiasm, while ASEAN has short-term and long-term targets apart from the various problems that occur during a chairmanship.

“In the various suggestions for institutional strengthening of the ASEAN Secretariat, the question finally arises: Who can guarantee [this organization] meet its performance standards? Is it the ASEAN chair or the organization itself? This opens up further discussions regarding the potential that can be developed by the ASEAN Secretariat," she said.

This article was translated by Kurnia Siswo.