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Why ASEAN can convene world powers but cannot command its members

Ahead of the Manila summit, The Globe and Mail explains the Southeast Asian bloc's economic weight and the limits of its collective power.

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The Globe and Mail Story of November 15, 2026Trari Newsroom

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What is ASEAN and why does the bloc matter?

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ASEAN brings major powers to the same table without having the authority to impose decisions on its own members. That distinction anchors The Globe and Mail's explainer ahead of the summit being hosted by the Philippines next week.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations includes 11 countries, with Timor-Leste among its members. Their combined economic output is roughly $4 trillion, according to the report, giving the group substantial weight in trade and diplomacy.

But it is not a Southeast Asian version of the European Union. As the narrator explains, ASEAN has no central authority that can compel members to follow its decisions. It operates through consensus and respect for national sovereignty, limiting its ability to resolve disputes or change a member government's conduct.

The report explains "ASEAN centrality" as an effort by member states to act together and retain a central role in shaping their region. Convening larger powers and building free-trade networks are part of that role, even where political and security crises remain unresolved.

For the Manila gathering, The Globe identifies artificial intelligence, energy security, Myanmar and South China Sea disputes among the agenda items. Its closing question is how much room that leaves for the bloc's priorities amid U.S.-China rivalry and meetings between major-power leaders.

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