ASEAN attendees at the Global Peace Summit to address the Russia-Ukraine conflict include Singapore, the Philippines, Timor-Leste, Thailand, and Indonesia. Singapore has imposed unilateral sanctions against Russia and will be represented by Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sim Ann. The Philippines initially confirmed President Bongbong Marcos’s attendance but later opted to have Presidential Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. attend in his place. Thailand will be represented by Deputy Foreign Minister Russ Jalichandra, while Indonesia will send its Ambassador to Switzerland, Ngurah Swajaya. Timor-Leste sees the summit as an opportunity to showcase its diplomatic ties and signal its interest in joining ASEAN.
Meanwhile, former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen announced that Cambodia would not attend the summit, citing Russia’s exclusion and doubts about the event’s success. Malaysia, led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, has also declined to attend, despite being more vocal on the Gaza War. Myanmar, which has strengthened ties with Russia since the 2021 military coup, and Vietnam, with historical connections to Russia, are also expected to abstain from the summit. Laos, another country with close relations to Russia, is likely to skip the event as well to avoid offending the Kremlin.
The summit’s focus on food security in light of disruptions to global food supply caused by the conflict will be significant for ASEAN members. Some experts, however, such as Professor James Chin of the University of Tasmania, believe the summit may be more of a public relations exercise with limited influence on the conflict. The absence of major powers at the summit raises doubts about the potential impact of any decisions made during the event. Despite differing stances and motivations behind their attendance, ASEAN member states are all likely to prioritize discussions on food security to address the economic impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on the region.
ASEAN countries are navigating complex geopolitical considerations in deciding whether to participate in the Global Peace Summit on the Russia-Ukraine conflict. While some, like Singapore and the Philippines, are taking a strong stand against Russian aggression, others with closer ties to Russia, such as Myanmar, Vietnam, and Laos, are expected to abstain. The summit’s significance in addressing food security issues in Southeast Asia amid disruptions in global food supply chain will be a common concern for all members. Despite skepticism about the summit’s efficacy, participation by ASEAN countries underscores the region’s role in promoting peace and addressing global conflicts.
