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Maritime Security and the 2014 ASEAN Agenda Video Presentation by Carlyle A. Thayer
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Introduction
I am Carlyle (Carl) Thayer, Emeritus Professor at The University of New South Wales at the Australian Defence Force Academy, Canberra. I would like to thank the Center for a New American Security and Dr. Patrick Cronin for the invitation to address you today. I would also like to thank the University s Creative Media Unit for preparing this video. My presentation will focus on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its maritime security agenda. I propose to do this in three parts. 1. examine ASEAN and its related institutions and maritime security. 2. look at ASEAN-centered dialogue and cooperation with external powers. 3. look at ASEAN and ASEAN centered maritime security cooperation this year and into the short-term future.

Part 1 ASEAN and Maritime Security

In order to provide some historical context, I would like to begin with four main propositions 1. Maritime security had no forum within ASEAN until 2010; it has now been institutionalized into several multilateral institutions

2 2. Discussion on maritime security has moved beyond general discussion to specific proposals and activities 3. Maritime security was once conceived of as state security; it is now being viewed as part of ASEAN security 4. Maritime security is now formally on the ASEAN agenda at the highest-level ASEAN maritime security is set within frame work of creating an ASEAN Community by 2015 ASEANs maritime security strategy began to take shape in November 2004 at the 10 th ASEAN Summit with the adoption of the Vientiane Action Program which mentioned maritime security. The ASEAN Political Security Community Blueprint drawn up in June 2009. In included: Slide 2 Ensure the full implementation of the Declaration on Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) reached with China in 2002. Promote ASEAN Maritime Cooperation o Establish the ASEAN Maritime Forum

The ASEAN Charter (2008), set up a new structure of decision-making, that will be institutinalized with the formal establishment of the ASEAN Community. At the top of the chart is the ASEAN Summit a meeting of heads of government and stat that maintains ASEAN central role and leadership over regional security. Next, the ASEAN Consultative Council will replace the Annual Ministerial Meeting (AMM) of foreign ministers. The Consultative Council will oversee three Community Councils: Political-Security

3 Economic and Socio-Cultural

Cut Slide 2 I would now like to take a brief look at the most recent ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting and ASEAN Summit and maritime security. 22nd Annual Ministerial Meeting held in April 2013 in Brunei Point 16. ASEAN Political-Security Community Maritime safety, is crucial to a vibrant, peaceful and stable and resilient Southeast Asia, Strengthening of regional cooperation in maritime security by: capacity building, exchanging experiences and sharing of best practices using ASEAN frameworks

South China Sea treated separately. The AMM reaffirmed collective commitments under the DOC. We tasked out ministers to continue to work actively with China on the way forward for the early conclusion of a COC in SCC on the basis of consensus. 23rd ASEAN Summit, October 2013 Called for strengthening of maritime cooperation by leveraging existing ASEAN institutions (discussed below). Full and effective implementation of the DOC in its entirety, mutually agreed cooperative activities and projects under the Guidelines to Implement the DOC Look forward to intensifying official consultations with China on the development of the COC with a view to its early conclusion. developing hotline of communication to respond to emergency situations at sea, cooperate in SAR (Search And Rescue) for vessels in distress at sea

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The ASEAN Political-Security Council consists of 1. ADMM annual meeting of defence ministers 2. Other security agencies 3. ASEAN Maritime Forum (AMF) Cut Slide 3 Slide 4 ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting (ADMM) The ADMM is the highest defence mechanism in ASEAN, stood up in 2006, meets annually, holds Informal Retreat to exchange views on current defence and security issues and challenges.

Chiefs of Defence Forces Informal Meeting (CDFIM), and Defence Senior Officials Meeting (ADSOM),

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Since 2010, the ADMM has adopted triennial Work Plans (2014-2016) which focus on non-traditional security, HA/DR (Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief). The ADMM has adopted several Concept Papers (eg. ADMM Plus Concept 2007; ASEAN Defence Industry Collaboration). Since 2011 the ADMM has begun to conduct table top exercises HA/DR, Military Medicine, Counter-terrorism, Maritime Security Cut Slide 4 7th ASEAN DEFENCE MINISTERS MEETING held in Brunei, May 2013. Adopted Concept Papers on ASEAN Defence Interaction Programs, Logistics Support Framework ADMM Plus Expert Working Group on Humanitarian Mine Action Transition of ADMM Plus Expert Working Group Co-Chairmanships

In 2010 the ADMM expanded cooperation with 8 dialogue partners and is known as ADMM Plus (discussed below). ASEAN Chiefs of Navy Meeting ASEAN Chiefs of Navy Meeting first held in Thailand in 2001 (ASEAN Navies Interaction, held biennially) held annually since 2011. o To enhance cooperation and interoperability and regional maritime security and stability through initiatives. Dialogue, consultation, conduct of practical activities, build confidence, trust, and transparency.

5th ASEAN Chiefs of Defence Forces Informal Meeting met in Hanoi on July 2011. Agenda: Adopt an agenda to become an annual event Terms of reference for ANCM (ASEAN Navy Chiefs Meeting) Guidance for ASEAN Navies Cooperation [roadmap for cooperation among ASEAN navy forces proposed by Vietnam] ASEAN Naval Young Officer Interaction [proposed by Vietnam] Studying hotline among ASEAN Navies Idea of sending naval greeting signals at sea Registration of Two-Year Activities Work Plan (2011-2012)

6th ASEAN Navy Chief Meeting held in Brunei in September 2012.

6 Proposal to establish an ASEAN Navy Chiefs Secretariat at Information Fusion Center in Singapore; to focus on maritime cooperation, counter piracy, terrorism, search and rescue ANCM Roadmap

Singapore Navy and Indonesian Navy co-hosted inaugural ASEAN Maritime Security Information-Sharing Exercise (AMSISX) in July 2012 at the Changi Command and Control Centre. Participants were based in Singapore and their respective countries operations centres, linked via the ASEAN Information-Sharing Portal (AIP). AIP provides a common platform for all ASEAN navies to share maritime security related information in the region and enhance information-sharing procedures among the ASEAN countries. Indonesian chief of naval staff and Armed Forces chief, proposed to host first-ever joint exercise among ASEAN navies focused on Military Operations Other Than War humanitarian assistance/disaster relief, maritime security operations, and search and rescue at sea. 7th ASEAN Navy Chiefs Meeting in Makati City, Philippines in September 2013. Continue existing bilateral and multilateral joint and coordinated patrols Implement agreed greeting and communications procedures among ASEAN navies Maintain direct communications procedures through a list of hot lines to be maintained and regularly updated in the ASEAN Information Sharing Portal hosted by Singapore

3rd ASEAN Maritime Forum held September 2012 in Manila. Items discussed: (a) maritime security and cooperation in ASEAN; (b) maintaining freedom and safety of navigation and addressing sea piracy; (c) protecting the marine environment and promoting eco-tourism and fishery regime in East Asia; and (d) future work of the ASEAN Maritime Forum. AMFs deliberation should support all three pillars of ASEAN Community Recommended that the ASEAN Secretariat conduct a study and make recommendations on the potential institutionalization of the ASEAN Maritime Forum. 4th ASEAN Maritime Forum held in Kuala Lumpur in October 2013. Attended by deputy foreign ministers. ASEAN senior officials and maritime experts discussed measures to build trust and how to cooperate at sea more effectively.

Part 2 ASEAN-Centred Dialogue and Cooperation

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ASEAN Regional Forum (security dialogue forum only) and ISG/ISM ADMM Plus a tool to engage dialogue partners in discusions and cooperation on defence and security matters. Enlarged ASEAN Maritime Forum

Cut Slide 5 ARF has Work Plan on Maritime Security with three priority areas: 1. Information/intelligence exchange and sharing of best practices, including naval operations 2. Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) on Maritime Security 3. Capacity-building of maritime law enforcement agencies Outcomes of the 20th ARF held July 2013: Mandate for ISM on Maritime Security renewed. Interaction/synergy between ARF ISM on Maritime Security and ADMM Plus Expert Working Group (EWG) on Maritime Security. The latter invited to attend sessions of the former. Slide 6 ASEAN Defence Minister Meeting Plus The ADMM Plus was established in 2010. It includes the ten ASEAN members plus ASEANs eight dialogue partners. Originally scheduled to meet every three years, it now meets every two years. The most recent meeting was held in Brunei in 2013 and the fourth ADMM is scheduled to meet in 2015 in Malaysia.

The ADMM Plus is the premier venue for strategic dialogue on defence and security issues among ASEAN and its eight Dialogue Partners with practical cooperation constituting the main thrust of the process. Cut Slide 6 Slide 7

ADMM Plus Expert Working Groups There were initially five Expert Working Groups (EWG); now there are six areas of cooperation. Each EWG is co-chaired by an ASEAN and non-ASEAN member. The EWG on Maritime Security is co-chaired by Malaysia and Australia. All co-chairs will be rotated in 2014/ Cut Slide 7 Outcomes of the 2nd ADMM Plus (August 2013, Brunei): A new ADMM-Plus Experts Working Group on Humanitarian Mine Actions was set up.

9 Discussed defence sector contributions to cyber security, bioterrorism, transnational trafficking, and pandemic diseases Expert Working Group on Maritime Security (2010-2013): The EWG MS organised and conducted four key exercises over this period: 1. Landmark first ADMM-Plus Humanitarian Assistance and Military Medicine Exercise was held in in June 2013 involving the full participation of the ADMMPlus countries. This exercise emphasized capacity building, inter-operability, and mechanisms for effective response. 2. ADMM-Plus Counterterrorism Exercise (CTX) was held in mid-September 2013 in Indonesia. 3. Maritime Security Field Training Exercise (MS FTX) held in Australia in September 2013. 4. Peacekeeping table-top exercise was held in the Philippines. These programs provided ASEAN navies with needed opportunities for joint exercises. 2nd Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum held in Kuala Lumpur, October 2013. The EAMF discussed: maritime cooperation Priorities for ASEAN and Dialogue Partners Freedom of Navigation Military and Law enforcement Future agenda

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10 The East Asia Summit (EAS) membership comprises eighteen countries (ten ASEANB members and eight Dialogue Partners). The EAS has six priority areas: environment and energy, education, finance, global health issues and pandemic diseases, natural disaster mitigation and ASEAN connectivity. It does not include maritime security but leaders can raise it at the EAS or EAS Retreat. Cut slide 8 Outcomes of 8th EAS 2013 held in Brunei on October 10, 2013: Item 39 of Chairmans Statement on Maritime Security and Cooperation was very general. It emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and security, ensuring maritime security and safety, and freedom of navigation and noted that enhanced maritime cooperation was underway. The EAS called on the parties to explore all mechanisms for peaceful settlement of disputes, without resorting to threats or the use of force, in accordance with universally recognized principles of international law, including 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea or UNCLOS. The 8th EAS welcomed positive progress in official consultations on the Code of Conduct in the South Chis Sea. The 8th EAS welcomed the positive outcomes of 2nd Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum.

Conclusion
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This chart is illustrative of how the present regional security architecture could be restructured. The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, the ASEAN Regional Forum, the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting Plus and the Enlarged ASEAN Maritime Forum could all forward their recommendations to the leaders-led East Asia Summit.

11 Note the red arrow linking the ARF Inter-Sessional Meeting on Maritime Security with the ADMM Plus Expert Working Groups. Cut Slide 9 ASEAN in 2014 and beyond ASEANs priority in 2014 will be to intensify its focus on the ASEAN Political Security Community as part of ASEAN Community building. ASEANs immediate priorities will be: 1. Territorial disputes in the South China Sea. 2. Implementation of the DOC through working groups and commencing projects funded by China: marine environmental protection; marine scientific research; search and rescue operation; and combating transnational crime, including but not limited to trafficking in illicit drugs, piracy and armed robbery at sea, and illegal traffic in arms. safety of navigation and communication at sea [not yet established] 3. ASEAN-China consultations on a Code of Conduct Set to resume in March in Singapore with a total of four sessions scheduled for 2014 Establish a hotline Early harvest package of the COC in the South China Sea.

ASEAN will not become involved in the Philippines claim to the UN Arbitral Tribunal ASEAN Regional Forum The ARF Work Plan for 2014-2016 will be drawn up with continued stress on three priorities (discussed above). ARF Push towards Preventive Diplomacy (PD) in general. Include Expert and Eminent Persons Group (EEP) in the ISM on Maritime Security. ARF Work Plan on Maritime Security includes holding a Workshop on CBMs in Maritime Security in 2013-14.

12 ASEAN Maritime Forum/Expanded AMF will be held back to back. ADMM/ADMM Plus ASEAN Defence Ministers to meet in Hawaii at the invitation of the United States. ASEAN will continue to pursue reliance on its dialogue partners for capacity building but will balance with the major powers or cooperation through moderation. Co-chairs of ADMM Plus EWG will be rotated 1st ASEAN naval joint training exercise will be hosted by Indonesian Navy to cope with the disaster relief. The seventeen participants (Laos is landlocked) are expected to contribute 28 warships and 4,500 sailors. The event will be held in the waters off Natuna in the area of the Riau Islands during March-April 2014. Overall conclusion: ASEAN maritime security is fragmented among several institutions, nevertheless there is progress in conducting practical activities and a start to rationalizing activities that overlap. Slide 10