Accession of Papua New Guinea to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations

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

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

Violent crime, political instability, poor infrastructure, discriminatory laws, and unskilled labor[1] are obstacles to this happening, 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] PNG was not directly administered by the Indonesian, Spanish, Portuguese, British, Dutch, French or American governments that controlled the colonies of Southeast Asia (with the exception of Thailand). PNG was partially under German control, then later administered by Australia (with a very brief stint under British control) until its independence.[3]

As early as 1987, PNG'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 the election season during that time. The incumbent conservative Filipino administration which PNG contacted and supported dramatically lost to a more liberal administration in the 2010 Philippine elections.[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 PNG's discriminatory policies on human rights, notably on LGBT rights and the issue of West Papua. Singapore, Malaysia, and Brunei have shown dissatisfaction over PNG's economic status which has hindered its acceptance in ASEAN. Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia have shown displeasure towards anti-LGBT laws in PNG, as well as PNG's lack of action over the issue of West Papua. Laos and Myanmar have no official position in regards to PNG's ASEAN application. Papua New Guinea has enjoyed observer status in ASEAN since 1976. Benefits PNG has cited to ASEAN members from PNG's accession might include tapping into Papua New Guinea's lead industries such as oil and gas, mining and seafood.[6]

See also

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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