More countries may be lining up. Political interest to join the ASEM process must be seen as an indication of ASEM’s success, but ASEM’s enlarged – and growing – constituency also means that it is facing a wider range of issues in a world of increasing complexity. To demonstrate the strategic value of informal dialogue and deliver the constructive solutions promised at its conception, the ASEM process needs, more than ever, to adapt and improve its working methods and efficiency.
In support of the ASEM 8 Summit hosted by Belgium, this workshop will devote attention to issues of ASEM’s functionality and efficiency. Specifically, the workshop aims to identify and describe working methods, procedures and mechanisms that would allow the 45 ASEM partners to operate more smoothly and effectively. Proposals produced by the workshop will be submitted as input to ASEM officials.
