Reviewing ocean governance in Asia
| Author | Nalanda Roy |
| DOI | 10.1177/2057891119883127 |
| Published date | 01 December 2020 |
| Date | 01 December 2020 |
| Subject Matter | Research articles |
Research article
Reviewing ocean
governance in Asia
Nalanda Roy
Georgia Southern University, USA
Abstract
Oceans are the life support system for our planet and are vital to human health. It is said that half of
the oxygen we breathe is generated by our oceans. However, ocean space is becoming more
globalized over time. Hence, it is essential for countries to take up a more holistic approach to
ending ocean exploitation on the one hand, and also to ensuring a healthy ocean future on the
other. Today, maritime cooperation is key to the management of the global commons, and ocean
governance is important in establishing maritime connectivity. This article is a qualitative analysis of
how the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will undertake such an initiative to
promote diverse and collaborative ocean governance in Asia. The article will analyze whether
ASEAN countries are ready to take up the great power game challenge, and simultaneously
motivate each other to promote sustainable development of common ocean governance struc-
tures and principles in the region. Last but not the least, we will see how ASEAN (Way) will
connect with global trends in order to realize its a vision of building a community conscious of its
historical ties and cultural heritage to improve the overall ocean health in Southeast Asia.
Keywords
ASEAN, ASEAN Way, cooperation, identity, ocean governance, Southeast Asia
“The time to make peace is when there is peace.”
Late Sri Noordin Sopiee (Valencia Mark, 2010)
Southeast Asia has long been of significant interest to scholars, and its importance tends to grow
not just politically and economically but also militarily. Besides being an important engine for
global economic growth, Southeast Asia has also witnessed a number of important political
changes and the emergence of new security threats. The end of the Cold War and the Cambodian
conflict, the birth of the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), closer relations
Corresponding author:
Nalanda Roy, Georgia Southern University, 11935 Abercorn Street, Savannah, Georgia 30460-1000, USA.
Email: nroy@georgiasouthern.edu
Asian Journal of Comparative Politics
2020, Vol. 5(4) 437–448
ªThe Author(s) 2019
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DOI: 10.1177/2057891119883127
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