Accession of Papua New Guinea to ASEAN

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Flag of Papua New Guinea
  Member states
  Candidates: Papua New Guinea, and Timor-Leste
  Potential candidates for Observer status: Bangladesh and Fiji

The possibility of accession of Papua New Guinea to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations is currently a matter of discussion.

Violent crime, political instability, poor infrastructure, discriminatory laws, and unskilled labor[1] are obstacles preventing Papua New Guinea from joining, as well as the fact that the country is closer, culturally and geographically, to the Pacific islands to its east and that it is historically and financially tied more closely to Australia in the south.[2] Papua New Guinea was not directly administered by the Spanish, Portuguese, British, Dutch, French or American governments that controlled much of the colonies in Southeast Asia. The country was partially under German control, then later administered by Australia (and also briefly by the British) until its independence.[3]

As early as 1987, Papua New Guinea's membership in the South Pacific Forum was viewed as an obstacle to its joining ASEAN.[4] In 2009, the country asked for the support of the Philippines in its ASEAN bid, however, no official response was heard as it was election season. The incumbent conservative Filipino administration which Papua New Guinea contacted and supported, dramatically lost to a more liberal administration in the 2010 Philippine election.[5] Currently, Indonesia is the only ASEAN member supporting Papua New Guinea's membership. A grassroots level of support exists in the Philippines, although there is caution due to the country's discriminatory policies on human rights, notably on LGBT rights and the issue of West Papua. Singapore, Malaysia, and Brunei have shown dissatisfaction over Papua New Guinea's economic status which has hindered its acceptance into ASEAN. Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia have shown displeasure towards anti-LGBT laws in Papua New Guinea,[citation needed] as well as the country's lack of action over the issue of West Papua[citation needed]. Laos and Myanmar have no official position in regards to the country's ASEAN application. Papua New Guinea has enjoyed observer status in ASEAN since 1976. Benefits Papua New Guinea has cited to ASEAN members from the country's accession might include tapping into Papua New Guinea's lead industries such as oil and gas, mining and seafood.[6]

See also[]

  • Accession of East Timor to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
  • Enlargement of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations

References[]

  1. ^ Arno Maierbrugger. "Expanding ASEAN: Five candidates and their options | Investvine". investvine.com. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  2. ^ Luke Hunt, The Diplomat. "Papua New Guinea Eyes ASEAN | The Diplomat". thediplomat.com. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  3. ^ "AEC Blog: Papua New Guinea as an ASEAN Member?". aseanec.blogspot.com. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  4. ^ Why Papua New Guinea Can't Join ASEAN, New Straits Times, 11 April 1987
  5. ^ http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/154860/papua-new-guinea-asks-rp-support-for-asean-membership-bid/story/
  6. ^ "Papua New Guinea keen to join ASEAN | The Brunei Times". bt.com.bn. Archived from the original on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
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