Creation of a West Asian Forum: Asia-Gulf Business and Security

(Photo from: landcoalition.org)

By Antonia Dimou

The Middle East is deeply integrated into the Asian supply chain, and is thus a core element in Asia’s economic advantage. Development cannot be separated from security that is two-dimensional; on the one hand lies security related to the transport of oil and gas while on the other are matters of regional security. Consumers with emphasis on those with increasing energy demands like India, China and Japan have responsibility to contribute to Gulf security. Producers also have responsibility to efficiently supply products.

Thus, an Asian security agenda in the Gulf needs to be aligned along four main tenets, according to a report released by the Center for Middle East Development, UCLA. The “hot spots”: Promote regional security by concentrating on “hot-spot” issues, including the situation in Iraq, a nuclear Iran, and the Israel-Palestine peace process. Development: Develop the regional economy in a way that ensures equality and mutual benefit. Economic growth depends on extensive cooperation and a commitment to equality and integration. Education and unemployment are both closely tied to development and security. Thus they are good areas to work on first. Trade architecture: Create new mechanisms for bilateral and multilateral cooperation between Asian powers and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Many Asian powers would like to open their energy sector and play a more active part in international energy development. At the same time, Gulf states are interested in diversifying their economies and attracting investments. Dialogue: Work with the GCC to promote understanding between energy producers and consumers. New institutions should be created to allow space for dialogue, negotiation, and cooperation on matters related to energy security and trade.

Recent proposals focus on the creation of a West Asian Forum (WAF) as one way to pursue the objectives enumerated by the “four-point plan.” Such a regional body would promote trade and investment between India, China, the United States, and the Gulf. The WAF would operate with the Gulf Cooperation Council as its nucleus, much the way the ASEAN acts as a nucleus for the Asia–Pacific economic forum, APEC. The forum would address all issues that impinge upon the security concerns of West Asia, especially the security of Gulf energy.

The forum would be two-tiered. On one level, the financial architecture of free trade and investment would be discussed, in the context of security. On a second, yet parallel, level, the forum would act as a platform to promote technology and investment innovation. The emphasis on this level would be idea generation. The spirit of the forum would be cooperation - which is not only desirable, but also unavoidable.

Asia and the Gulf should cooperate to strengthen energy, economic, and strategic ties. In particular, technology transformation can be one of the most effective ways to enhance cooperation. The example of Japan in this regard offers a model to follow. Japan has significant gains through creating new devices both to save energy and to use it more wisely. As oil prices rise, Japan continues to develop more high-tech solutions for renewable energy. Sharing this intellectual wisdom with other countries in Asia as well as the Gulf may lead to more efficient ways to share limited energy resources. Improving energy efficiency is indirectly tied to security. By improving technology and increasing the availability of electricity, nations can improve the quality of life for their citizens. This move in turn decreases destabilizing factors tied to civil discontent, poverty, and unemployment.

Taken together, these recommendations can add value to the economies of both Asia and the Middle East. They can promote energy security, investment, trade, and innovation between Asia and the Gulf. If implemented, both regions stand to reap the benefits of energy conservation, strategic cooperation, increased cash flow, and higher standards of living.