Report from the Poland-ASEAN Dialogue Conference “Community of Interests and Secure Development”

On 23 March, the Poland-ASEAN Dialogue Conference “Community of Interests and Secure Development” was held at the Sejm of the Republic of Poland. The event was co-organised by the Faculty of Political Science and International Studies in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Polish Institute of International Affairs, and the National Agency for Academic Exchange. The meeting, dedicated to Poland’s relations with ASEAN countries, with particular emphasis on security challenges and the potential for international cooperation, brought together representatives of Polish authorities, diplomats, and experts, creating a space for in-depth discussion on the changing geopolitical situation.

The meeting was opened by: Grzegorz Napieralski—Member of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland and Chairman of the Polish-Vietnamese Parliamentary Group, Włodzimierz Czarzasty—Marshal of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland, and Radosław Sikorski—Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. In their speeches, they emphasised the growing importance of Poland’s cooperation with the Southeast Asian region, pointing to the need to strengthen both political and economic relations. In the inaugural part, ambassadors of ASEAN countries accredited in Poland took the floor. Among them were representatives of Vietnam, the Philippines, Cambodia, and Thailand, as well as chargés d’affaires from Indonesia and Malaysia. The diplomats emphasised the importance of partnership with Poland and the growing role of the ASEAN region in the global balance of power. They also pointed to common challenges, such as regional stability, economic security, and the development of trade cooperation.

The first panel discussion focused on security issues in the context of links between Europe and Asia. Among the panellists, our Faculty was represented by Dr hab. Katarzyna Nawrot. The second panel of the event was devoted to economic issues in the context of dynamic geopolitical changes and growing uncertainty in international markets. The discussion focused on the role of ASEAN countries in the global economy and the challenges and opportunities for cooperation with the European Union, including Poland. One of the key topics was the impact of rivalry between world powers on the architecture of trade and investment in the Southeast Asian region. Panellists emphasised that geopolitical tensions are leading to transformations in global flows of capital and goods, and ASEAN countries are increasingly becoming beneficiaries of supply chain diversification processes. The third panel of the event was devoted to the role of academic cooperation as one of the key tools for building international relations. The discussion focused on the importance of scientific diplomacy and the potential offered by the development of cooperation networks between universities in Poland and ASEAN countries. It was noted that scientific diplomacy is increasingly becoming an important element of foreign policy. Cooperation in the areas of research, education, and innovation not only strengthens relations between countries, but also promotes the exchange of knowledge and the building of long-term trust. Attention was drawn to the growing role of ASEAN countries as a strategic academic partner for Poland. The dynamic development of the region, investment in higher education, and the growing number of students and researchers mean that this cooperation has great potential and can bring mutual benefits. The panel was attended by the Rector of the University of Warsaw, Professor Alojzy Nowak. After each panel, there was an opportunity to ask questions to the panellists, which created a platform for discussion.
At the end of the meeting, Grzegorz Napieralski, Member of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland and Chairman of the Polish-Vietnamese Parliamentary Group, took the floor. In his speech, he summarised the main themes raised during all the panels, emphasising the importance of dialogue between Poland and ASEAN countries in the face of dynamic geopolitical and economic changes. He pointed out that in the areas of security, economic cooperation, and academic relations, there is great, still untapped potential for collaboration. He emphasised that building lasting partnerships requires consistency, mutual understanding, and the development of concrete initiatives—from institutional cooperation to research and business projects. Grzegorz Napieralski also highlighted Poland’s role as an active participant in the dialogue between Europe and Southeast Asia, pointing to the need to further strengthen our country’s presence in the ASEAN region. In conclusion, he expressed hope that the conclusions from the conference would translate into concrete actions and new cooperation projects that will contribute to deepening relations between partners and increasing stability and development at the international level.