ABSTRACT
The article examines the role of non-state actors (NSAs) within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), spanning the period from 2009 to 2022, following the implementation of the ASEAN Charter in December 2008. The study discerns a pattern wherein NSAs have garnered influence within the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC). Nevertheless, their integration into the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) remains circumscribed. This phenomenon is primarily attributed to the entrenched state-centric approach that underpins ASEAN’s operational modality, creating inherent complexities for effective NSA engagement. NSAs predominantly occupy advisory and technical roles, with limited agency in developing and implementing ASEAN decisions, policies, and initiatives. However, expanding their purview is imperative to augmenting the substantive contribution of NSAs to the broader ASEAN community-building endeavour. This imperative aligns seamlessly with the people-centric ethos championed by the ASEAN Charter. By capitalising on the specialised knowledge and resources of NSAs, even the norm-centric APSC can be invigorated, ultimately amplifying the effectiveness of community-building initiatives. Establishing enduring and mutually enriching partnerships necessitates a paradigm shift in the perception of the state-NSA dynamic. Member states ought to show a heightened willingness to incorporate NSAs into policymaking. At the same time, NSAs, reciprocally, should endeavour to grasp the intricate workings of ASEAN’s processes and procedures. Drawing upon a synthesis of extant literature, case studies, and empirical evidence, this research evaluates the extent of NSA participation, illuminating the attendant challenges within the three sectoral communities of ASEAN.
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