The ASEAN chair in February rightly called for “a cohesive and responsive ASEAN” in responding to COVID-19. The statement underlines the need to act together if ASEAN is to successfully tackle this crisis.

The time to act is now. Indonesia is calling for a special summit on a regional COVID-19 strategy. The imperative of the hour is a well-articulated ASEAN response plan enacted immediately, addressing the health, humanitarian, social and economic needs of the ASEAN people in line with “an orchestrated response and collective action of ASEAN in curbing the spread of the disease,” as outlined in the ASEAN chair’s statement.

Swift action, that takes into account the needs of all people, especially those likely to be hit harder, will demonstrate ASEAN’s commitment to “a peaceful and safe living environment for the people.” Not only the recovery from the pandemic, but also the future of ASEAN member states, hinges on decisive action on “ASEAN’s commitment to collectively respond to the COVID-19 outbreak.”

To fulfill the commitment to protect the lives and ensure the wellbeing of its people, we urge the ASEAN:

• To act in unison and serve as a platform for openly sharing knowledge and coordinating cohesive policy.
• To set up a well-resourced response where no one is left behind through an ASEAN Emergency COVID Fund, pooling contributions from member states and dialogue partners. Build capacities of weaker public health systems to protect the entire ASEAN.
• To put in place stronger frameworks and fair and transparent structures to deal with transboundary risks now and to prevent future pandemics in the region.
• To support small and medium businesses and workers by mobilizing resources from finance institutions for crisis response and recovery.

We urge ASEAN member states:

• To immediately upscale testing and treatment facilities and make them available to all people in need, especially poor and vulnerable communities.
• Provide healthcare workers and others on the front lines with adequate protection, equipment and support to deliver essential services.
• Ensure all people affected, especially locked-down communities, have enough food and essentials. All workers losing income require social protection.
• Enact solutions for the special protection and wellbeing of migrant workers, displaced people and others left marginalized.
• Enact measures to promote women’s voices and leadership, deliver gender-sensitive assistance that enables them and prevents gender-based violence.
• Engage with civil society in impact assessments and response implementation to make the needs of vulnerable groups heard and met.