Ping Soon Kok’s Post

𝐀𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐍-𝐀𝐔𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐀𝐍 𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒: 𝐌𝐘 𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐖𝐒 Embedded in this 4-min news clip are my comments on two issues: (a) the shared strategic interests between ASEAN and Australia; (b) the US-Australian military alliance and what it meant for ASEAN. https://lnkd.in/giH6p8Dp

As mentioned earlier, in addition to the essential role of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Human Rights Council (HRC) also holds profound importance in all matters related to human rights and human dignity. Paul Jonas Rieger will represent Senegal in the HRC for us and has to deal with Human Rights and the Use of Private Military and Security Companies, and Human Rights of Indigenous Peoples as the two topics at the HRC. Established in 2006 by the General Assembly, the HRC replaced the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. Its mandate was expanded to prioritize the main task, the promotion of human rights. The HRC also oversees the Universal Periodic Review, which serves as a global evaluation system regarding the status of human rights in each member state of the United Nations. Today, there are only 20 days left!

In March, we organised an event on EU engagement in central Sahel states, together with the Just Future alliance, and co-hosted by the Belgian EU presidency. We just launched the outcome document, and while there was a wide variety of views in the room, there were some red threads that everyone agreed upon: that Team Europe should remain deeply engaged in the Sahel. And that this requires fresh thinking on engagement modalities at national and subnational level to ensure support continues to reach the population, and to accompany positive, locally-led transitions.  And yes, while EU member states are debating heavily on whether to be values-driven or more pragmatic (which both can be interpreted in many ways!), participants felt both were important, and the compass leading our thinking and actions should be protection of civilians and wellbeing of the Sahelian population. Isolation will not lead to better respect for human rights, nor to better outcomes for the civilian population and there is nothing to be gained from a forceful or militarised approach leading to further destabilisation of the Sahel. 👉 check out our outcome report in English or French!

To my friends who might be interested to participate in our #WestPhilippineSea Discussion, our group's top advocacy, just message me. The annual Pilipinas Conference, organized by the Stratbase Group as it celebrates its 20th year, serves as a vital platform for igniting new ideas and facilitating critical discussions on the pressing issues facing Philippine society. Now in its ninth year, Pilipinas Conference 2024 aims to strengthen multi-sectoral collaboration in shaping policies that address the complex social, political, and economic challenges impacting the Philippines and the broader Indo-Pacific region. With the theme "Navigating a Complex Geostrategic Landscape: Building Resilience through Cohesive Cross-Sectoral Collaboration in 2025," this year’s Pilipinas Conference’s first day will be held on November 6, 2024 (Wednesday), from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. The first day of the conference will focus on the confluence of asymmetric security challenges and their impact on the collective security of the Indo-Pacific and adherence to the rules-based international order. The panel discussions in the morning will focus on managing gray zone tactics employed in the maritime and aerial domains. Meanwhile, the panel discussions in the afternoon will focus on elevating partnerships to safeguard the West Philippine Sea and addressing malign influence operations. Joining this conference are Australian Ambassador Hae Kyong “HK” Yu PSM, Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., Spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea and Inspector General of the Philippine Navy RADM Roy Vincent Trinidad, Wing Commander of the Fifth Fighter Wing of the Philippine Air Force BGen. Leo Fontanilla, Spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea of the Philippine Coast Guard COMMO Jay Tarriela, Supreme Court Former Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, Korea National Diplomatic Academy Head of Center for ASEAN-India Studies Professor Wongi Choe, and Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Senior Fellow and Director of the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI) Mr. Gregory Poling. The 2024 Pilipinas Conference is more than just an event; it is a call to action for all who are invested in the country’s future. Together, we can chart a course that secures the Philippines' rightful place on the world stage.

The 2024 Global Call Campaign is now open. ➡️The Secretary-General's Global Call for nominations seeks to expand and diversify the pool of Special Representatives of the Secretary-General (SRSGs), Deputy Special Representatives of the Secretary-General (DSRSGs), and Special Envoys in United Nations Peacekeeping Operations and Special Political Missions. The Secretary-General is searching for exceptional leaders who have the expertise, competencies, skills, values and behaviours to lead the United Nation's complex missions in the field. Nominations of women and candidates from underrepresented regions are strongly encouraged, as well as French and Arabic speakers. For your kind information, the representation of women among Heads of Missions and Deputy Heads of Missions was 50% in 2020, decreased to 38% in June 2023 and now to 35% in June 2024. Therefore, please spread the news of the 4th Global Call among your peers and stakeholders, and let us support the initiative! For more information: https://lnkd.in/etPXH5F8

MOFA response to US-Italy Consultation on the Indo-Pacific reaffirming importance of peace and stability across Taiwan Strait The US Department of State on May 21 issued a press statement on the United States-Italy Consultation on the Indo-Pacific cochaired by US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell and Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Secretary General Riccardo Guariglia in Washington, DC, earlier that day. The statement noted that the two sides discussed the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. During a congressional hearing that same day, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stressed that the United States is working with countries around the globe to preserve cross-strait peace and stability and ensure that China cannot unilaterally alter the status quo https://lnkd.in/gBS8tbSF

IISS Shangri-La Dialogue 2024 | Plenary 1: United States’ Strategic Partnerships in the Indo-Pacific The International Institute for Strategic Studies 1 Jun 2024 Since launching its Indo-Pacific Strategy in 2022, the US has expanded its strategic partnerships across the region against a backdrop of continued Sino-US strategic competition, tensions in the Indo-Pacific, Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine and the Israel-Gaza conflict. In this opening plenary, the US provided an update on the implementation of its Indo-Pacific strategy, the direction of US regional military posture, and the role of partnerships in security challenges in the Indo-Pacific.

https://lnkd.in/gZtJCy2g An excellent and timely article by Amara Thiha. The egocentricity and arrogance of western thought processes toward the historical events unfolding in Myanma has been astounding. Any understanding of the cultural and historical contexts at play are noticeably absent from their tunnel vision echo chamber, and seem to be driven purely by self interest rather than "in the interests of the peoples of Myanma". Whilst many commentators have acknowledged China's involvement/interest, there are few, if any, that have demonstrated an understanding of it's strategy. Ma Thiha's article sheds light on the ako gyi's game plan, albeit still in it's infancy. Let's be very clear.....the ako gyi has more skin in this game than any other player and that begs the, albeit simple, question: "What is the ako gyi's end game? What does he want? and how will he try and achieve it?" It is also worth keeping in mind that the ako gyi plays a long game with strategic incremental gains/infringements often based on misconstrued historical events. Given the opportunity the ako gyi will use the current situation to roll back the border treaty signed in 1960 and resurrect it's grievances around the 1894 Border Treaty (keep an eye on developments around the Myitsone dam). Recent comments by the MNDAA regards the ako gyi's assets and the spread of Wa administrative culture can be taken as further signals, which no doubt the west will most likely yet again fail to join the dots. The ako gyi wants an orderly environment on it's borders which it can control. In the meantime, the UN, ASEAN and the NGO industry of the west standby whilst Myanma burns, and continue to push their own failed, misguided agenda upon the peoples of Myanma, thus green-lighting the ako gyi's relentless push for a system of confederation of which it will be the over lord. Since the Clinton era of the late 1990's the west has been singing from the wrong hymn book when it comes to Myanma, sadly, it seems that little has changed since then.

https://lnkd.in/gbF2X5QX The hypocrisy of neutral which is Mahathir realpolitik where the Global South should be more diversify and voice their concerns of Chinese supports of Burmese military government, coercive of Taiwan and their behaviour in SCS and their military supplier to Russian military complex even their support of terrorist group Hamas as well as their cyber attacks against Global South nations. It just shows how outdated and incompetence of the Malaysian foreign policy that was at the expense of the economy that is lacking FDI.

The Philippines has no choice but work with the US and its alliances. First, because of the MDT. Second, because of the 2016 Arbitral ruling favoring RP over China. Third, RP is a member of the ARF and ASEAN upholding international law. Fourth, China is alone in what it is doing in the WPS. No other country is reporting it and if there is, they are a far minority. RP is of course the choice country of China to showcase its regional dominance as it is the weakest in the region and has strategic natural resources for forced exploitation. That is why RP would welcome any support and assistance from other alliances bearing its ideology and values. RP has been battling a communist insurgency for decades. Much more a China ruled by the CCP that supported the local insurgency.