22.09.2021
On September 22 ASEAN Centre started its “ASEAN Academic Days in MGIMO 2021” for the new academic semester. This time the first guest speaker was Dr. Le Dinh Tinh, Director-General of the Institute for Foreign Policy and Strategic Studies, Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam. He covered the topic: “ASEAN in the Global Spotlight: Geostrategic Opportunities and Challenges". Dr. Ekaterina Koldunova, ASEAN Centre Acting Director moderated the discussion.
Dr. Le Dinh Tinh is a prominent specialist in Vietnamese foreign policy and a renowned international relations theory scholar. His area of expertise includes but is not limited to the conceptualization of ‘middle powers’ in reference to Vietnam and Vietnam’s relations with the Greater Mekong region and ASEAN. Dr. Le Dinh Tinh contributes to Contemporary Southeast Asia and Strategic Analysis, as well as the Diplomat, The Interpreter, East Asia Forum, Tạp chí Cộng sản to cite a few and frequently collaborates with Routledge, East-West Center CSIS, etc.
The speaker began his lecture with an overview of the history of ASEAN. He stressed that the current world order is fragmented and characterized by growing populism and great power rivarly. Dr. Le Dinh Tinh thoroughly analyzed the US foreign policy strategy in Southeast Asia and the role of ASEAN in the region. Despite the slowness of the decision-making process within the organization, the Association, according to Dr. Le Dinh Tinh, is capable of pursuing its goals and obtaining the necessary results.
During the Q&A session the lecturer covered such issues as the balancing strategy in the foreign policy of Vietnam, Russia’s support to the SEA countries to fight COVID-19 pandemic, the ASEAN legislative framework and values, as well as the perspectives of Russia-ASEAN-Japan relations.
The hybrid online-offline format of the lecture made it possible for more than 100 people from across Russia and Southeast Asia to join the event. Among the attendees were the staff of ASEAN countries diplomatic missions in Moscow, students and professors from MGIMO and other universities. The lecture’s recording is available at the respective section on the ASEAN Centre website or on MGIMO channel in YouTube.
The next lecture within the “ASEAN Academic Days program” will be held later in the fall semester of 2021/2022 academic year. Announcements for upcoming events and other ASEAN Centre projects will be posted on the ASEAN Centre website, Facebook and Instagram page.
