ASEAN’s reliance on consensus-based decision-making and weak enforcement frameworks has created significant hurdles for holding member states accountable, according to legal and regional security analysts. The organization’s structure, which requires unanimous agreement on major issues, often dilutes collective action, leaving disputes unresolved or unaddressed through formal legal channels. Without binding mechanisms to compel compliance, disputes—whether political, economic, or territorial—remain trapped in diplomatic stalemates rather than resolved through binding arbitration or sanctions. Critics argue this model undermines ASEAN’s effectiveness in addressing serious conflicts or violations of its own charter.
ASEAN's consensus-driven approach and a lack of enforcement mechanisms make legal action difficult, experts say.
