Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities 139 ASEAN(‘S) WAY OF CONFLICT MANAGEMENT: ACTIVE AND EFFECTIVE ROLE Naureen Nazar Soomro * Ronaque Ali Behan ** Sohni Siddiqui *** Abstract ASEAN is widely praised for its establishing regional cooperation among countries of Southeast Asia and attracting countries from rest of the world too because of its core objective of bringing peace and stability in the region. Promotion of regional trade and investment followed by unprecedented economic growth is the major credit of ASEAN which is widely appreciated. Nevertheless, despite 50 years of its age, it hasn’t been fully successful in managing internal conflicts among its member states and conflicts with external states. Its ineffectiveness to manage conflicts have raised concerns over the relevance of ASEAN in 21 st century where Asian continent is said to be playground for major powers because of shifting of epicenter of International Politics from America and Europe to Asia. ASEAN’s role is limited by its charter of Non-interference into the internal affairs of its member states. This article looks into the basic weaknesses in ASEAN as an organization thus providing recommendation to overcome its shortcomings and improve its performance. The article concludes that ASEAN, because of increasing demands of amendments in conflict management techniques due to changes in the nature of conflict, needs to transform from its modest goals and principles to deal with conflict to new trends of conflict management, perhaps from soft mediation to hard mediation in near future. Keywords: ASEAN Way, conflict management, non-interference, third-party mediation Introduction In international politics, the concept of regionalism has been gaining grounds. The regional organizations have been playing their role of security and defense actively and effectively under the capacities of defense alliances, as agencies that facilitate economic development and technological progress. The organizations have also played significant role in reducing the regional conflicts. The increase of inter- and intra-state conflicts and the limitations of United Nations in dealing with internal matters 1 have enhanced the role of regional organizations in peacemaking and most importantly in peacekeeping. ASEAN – The Association of Southeast Asian Nations was formed in 1967 by Indonesia, * Naureen Nazar Soomro, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Area Study Centre, Far East & Southeast Asia, University of Sindh, Jamshoro ** Ronaque Ali Behan, Lecturer, Area Study Centre, Far East & Southeast Asia, University of Sindh, Jamshoro *** Sohni Siddiqui, M.Phil. Scholar, Iqra University, Karachi 1 Rajshree Jetly, “Conflict Management Strategies in ASEAN: Perspectives for SAARC,” The Pacific Review, 16, no.1 (2003): 54.