Analysis by Máté Szakáli
The Asia–Europe Meeting (ASEM) is an inter-regional, inter-governmental process established in 1996 to foster informal, flexible dialogue and cooperation between Asia and Europe. In the last few decades ASEM has become one of the key global actors that aim to provide a platform for building mutual political trust, strengthening economic cooperation, tackling global challenges together, and promoting the exchange of ideas and best practices, thus providing a breeding ground for new policy ideas.
ASEM can be regarded as the most influential comprehensive partnership platform between Asia and Europe, through which various connectivity initiatives have materialised. Still, the 24-year-old ASEM process faces similar challenges and criticism today as it did during its early years, as it lacks public awareness and visibility, and its achievements are not easily quantifiable. Given this context, this paper provides a broad-brush overview of the ASEM process from the perspective of its role evolution and role prospects.