ASEAN Centrality, The Principle of ASEAN Diplomacy

The ASEAN-Korea Centre (Secretary General Kim Hae-yong) published a Korean version of a book titled "ASEAN Centrality" to commemorate the 35th anniversary of ASEAN-Korea Dialogue Relations. The book is written by Ambassador Elizabeth P. Buensuceso, former ASEAN SOM Leader and Chair of the Committee of Permanent Representatives (CPR) and former Ambassador of the Philippines to ASEAN. The English version of "ASEAN Centrality" was first published by ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in 2021.

The book provides an insider's definition of ASEAN Centrality in the actual practice of ASEAN diplomacy. The author, an experienced diplomat who has served in ASEAN for more than ten years, vividly describes the details of her experiences with ASEAN-led mechanisms among ASEAN Member States and their external partners through the autoethnographic* research method. The book consists of the history of ASEAN as a regional organization, instances of the practice of ASEAN Centrality in ASEAN diplomacy among member states and external partners, and more.The author emphasized that a deep understanding of ASEAN Centrality will result in enhanced multilateral cooperation because it is based on mutual respect and sovereign dignity of partner states, including the Republic of Korea.

*Autoethnography is an autobiographical genre of academic writing that draws on, analyzes, and interprets the lived experience of the author.

Secretary General of the ASEAN-Korea Centre Kim Hae-yong stated that, "With the Korean government's ASEAN policy and the 35th anniversary of the establishment of the ASEAN-Korea Dialogue Relationship, we look forward to deepening the relationship between the two regions and hope that this book will serve as an introduction to ASEAN for many people. The ASEAN-Korea Centre will continue to expand its activities and accelerate its cooperation with various organizations in ASEAN and Korea to support sustainable and equal partnerships between ASEAN and Korea."

The publication is now available in bookstores in Korea and their websites.

[About the Author]
Ambassador Elizabeth P. Buensuceso is currently an Eminent Person of the Philippines to the High-Level Task Force that is crafting the ASEAN Vision 2045. She was the Ambassador/Permanent Representative of the Philippines to ASEAN for six years and has been with the Philippine Foreign Service for more than 42 years. She was formerly the Ambassador to Norway, with concurrent accreditation to Denmark and Iceland, and Lao PDR. Also, she served as Vice Minister for the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs and Philippine ASEAN SOM Leader. She has a Master of ASEAN Studies degree from the University of the Philippines and a Bachelor of Arts (English) magna cum laude. She was awarded the Presidential Grand Cross, Gawad Kamanong, the rank of Commander in 2017.