THE EU AND ASIA: INTER-REGIONALISM AND REGIONAL INTEGRATION ASIA - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

„ THE EU AND ASIA: INTER-REGIONALISM AND REGIONAL INTEGRATION ASIA EUROPE FOUNDATION BRUSSELS, 2-3 OCTOBER 2010 Antonio Andrea Monari Resident Director General European Representative Office Asian Development Bank 1

Strategy 2020 ADB’s Long -Term Strategic Framework 2008 – 2020 Three Strategic Agendas Inclusive Growth Environmentally Sustainable Growth Regional Integration 2

BACKGROUND » ADB trilogy on Asian integration Emerging Asian Regionalism (2008) Infrastructure for a Seamless Asia (2009) Institutions for Integration: Toward an Asian Economic Community (2010) 3

EUROPEAN REGIONAL INTEGRATION: A POLITICAL PROJECT • Free Trade Area • Custom Union • Single Market • Common Currency • Political Union (?) Acceptance of Common Rules and Regulations 4

EUROPEAN REGIONAL INTEGRATION: POLITICAL LEADERS Robert Schuman Konrad Adenauer Jean Monnet Paul Henry Spaak Alcide De Gasperi 5

Public Opinion and the Wishes of the People are Crucial in Defining the Path For Regionalism • A Common Social Vision • Shared Secular Values • Personal Rights and Social Responsibilities 6

ASIAN INTEGRATION: MARKET DRIVEN • „Factory Asia“ • „FTA Noodle Bowl“ • Emergence of Regional/Sub-Regional Initiatives • No Stardard Approach • Political Leadership not there yet 7

What does „Asia“ Think of Regional Integration COSTS AND BENEFITS 8

What does „Asia“ Think of Regional Integration? ADVANTAGES OF REGIONAL COOPERATION 9

What does Asia Think of Regional Integration? DESIRABILITY OF REGIONAL INTEGRATION 10

What does Asia Think of Regional Integration? SUPPORT FOR INSTITUTIONS 11

ASIAN REGIONALISM: AN „INSTITUTION LITE“ MODEL • Countries Relatively Young • Search of Consensus • Pragmatic and Flexible Approach • Open Regionalism 12

INVOLVING CIVIL SOCIETY IN ASIAN REGIONALISM • Offers Alternate Governance Model • Improves Accountability • Introduces Transparency 13

CAN ASIAN CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS (CSOs) PLAY A STRONG ROLE? • Universal Equality not so well rooted • Government Responses Depends on the nature of Political Regimes • Human Rights not always respected • Lack of clear separation: civil and religious authorities 14

CSO IN ASIA • Growing number and Relevance • Strong focus on domestic issues • Broad range of causes: • Economic Rights • Human Rights • Sustainable Development and Environment • Gender • Poverty Alleviation • Regional Economic Liberalization and Economic Integration • Peace and Security • Migration and Human Trafficking Trend towards an increased transnationalism 15

REGIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND TRANSNATIONAL CSO: A PARALLEL GROWTH • Parallel Responses to Global Challenges • Growing Regional Interdependencies • CSO moving from local to regional/global claims 16

INFLUENCE OF CSOs ON REGIONAL INSTITUTIONS • Advocacy of Local Communities • Effectiveness of governance • Accountability to stakeholders 17

THE ADB CASE • Increasing Institutional Engagement • Constant Presence at ADB Annual Meeting • NGO and Civil Society Center - 2001 (www.adb.org/NGOs/ngocenter.asp) • Accountability Mechanism – 2003 (www.adb.org/Accountability-Mechanism) • NGO - LINK 18

19