Publication

This paper looks at the nature and development of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) as a place for security discussion and consultations. While the 2013 ARF covered a wide range of political and security topics, the forum mostly provides an opportunity for Asian states and other countries to express a general consensus that has been reached prior to the meetings. Its main function, however, still lies primarily with building confidence and has yet to move to a proposed stage of preventive diplomacy and conflict resolution.