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IdeasLab: UK-ASEAN Relations

Date
Date
Thursday 6 July 2023
Location
Bangkok

The Global Insecurities Centre, University of Bristol and Centre for Global Security Challenges, University of Leeds, are holding an IdeasLab on ‘UK-ASEAN Relations’ in Bangkok on 6th July.

The UK introduced its Indo-Pacific ‘tilt’ in its 2021 Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy. In its 2023 follow-up refresh, the UK points to how the tilt has been achieved, and sets forth its intention to make this increased engagement stronger and enduring, and a permanent pillar of the UK’s international policy. ASEAN features as a key partner in the region, with the UK also highlighting its support for ASEAN Centrality.

With panels centred around the areas of cooperation outlined in the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, the event seeks to explore synergies in UK-ASEAN cooperation. The outcome of the event will be to feed back into UK policy debates on how the UK can best support its partners in Southeast Asia, becoming the ‘European partner with the broadest, most integrated presence’, with a particular focus on sustainable, enduring, and equitable partnerships. The event is part of a series of events, including “Implementing the UK’s Indo-Pacific Tilt in Southeast Asia through equitable and sustainable partnerships” held in Bristol, the outcome of which can be found at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/policybristol/policy-briefings/UK-IndoPacificTilt-SoutheastAsia/

The IdeasLab aims to bring together key interlocutors, practitioners and academics to reflect on the future of UK-ASEAN relations. The event will be organised around four thematic panels: Connectivity; Maritime Cooperation; UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030; and Trade & Investment. Each panel will be introduced by short postion papers followed by guided expert discussion from IdeasLab participants.

Any interested parties can contact Dr Rob Yates (robert.yates@bristol.ac.uk) or Dr. Scott Edwards (s.a.edwards@leeds.ac.uk) for further information.