Promises and Perils of Regional Response to Covid-19 in Asia

‘Crises’ – financial crash, pandemics, political conflicts, and natural disasters – have been recognised for providing stimulus for institutional strengthening of regional organisations (Ogbonnaya, 2013; Vinokurov and Libman, 2014). The development of institutional mechanisms and strategies to address crises that impact a particular region is argued to facilitate strengthening of existing institutions or initiating new ones within regional organisations. This report first maps and analyses the Covid-19 responses of two of Asia’s prominent regional organisations, namely the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in South and Southeast Asia. In doing so, it assesses how has the regional response to the pandemic impacted prospects of greater regional cooperation in Asia.

Author: Monalisa Adhikari