On major issues of ASEAN-wide concerns where a common regional stand is
possible, for example, climate change, the environment, development issues,
reform of the international financial system, nuclear non-proliferation,
preventive diplomacy, and others. The time has come for the ASEAN integrative
impulse to be translated through a common ASEAN stand on these issue at
major international forum. The benefits to be gained by member states from such
united and weighted posturing at the negotiating table are obvious. Such
approach could also set in motion the momentum toward the eventual
formulation of a 'common ASEAN foreign policy' consistent with the future
integration aspiration of the organization.