Indo-Pacific Analysis Brief Vol 26
Towards shared economic recovery: ASEAN’s role in driving post-COVID regional integration
August 2021
Kaewkamol Pitadumrongkit
Key Messages
→ The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will play a key role in driving the region’s post-pandemic recovery and deepening economic integration
→ ASEAN has demonstrated an early commitment to multilateral recovery, implementing several mechanisms focused on its response to COVID-19
→ New mechanisms for economic recovery include cooperation on supply chains, a safe reopening of international borders, and a review of the ASEAN Economic Community Blueprint to 2025
→ The reassessment of the ASEAN Economic Community finetunes ASEAN’s preexisting economic strategies and implements a refreshed model for deepening regional economic integration
→ Economic recovery can be supported by building upon existing regional trade architecture, particularly the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership as the region’s most comprehensive free trade agreement

