Xinyu Yuan participated in the workshop “The Future of Conflict Management and Peace Operations in Southeast Asia and the Pacific,” organized by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) and the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) in Bangkok on 5–6 March 2026. The workshop brought together researchers, practitioners, ASEAN leaders, and UN representatives to discuss the evolving geopolitical landscape of conflict management in Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
Discussions highlighted several key themes shaping regional security priorities, including the urgency of addressing organized crime, the strong emphasis on sovereignty and independence among regional actors, and a pragmatic preference for managing conflict rather than necessarily resolving it. Participants also reflected on progress in advancing the Women, Peace and Security agenda, as well as growing concerns about domestic political developments across the region – such as the rise of populist movements, the influence of social media, and increasingly polarized information environments affecting younger generations. Participants further exchanged views on the evolving roles and future trajectories of regional institutions, particularly the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), in addressing emerging security challenges.
