ARF

ARF is the principal forum for multilateral security dialogue and confidence building in Asia-Pacific. It held its first meeting in July 1994 and has since expanded its membership from 18 to 24. A critical phase in the development of ARF was August 1995 adoption of a Concept Paper which set the term of reference for ARF and also outlined 3 stages for its work namely :
- promotion of confidence building,
- followed by preventive diplomacy,
- leading finally to conflict resolution mechanism.
This gradual, evolutionary approach to managing security was very much in line with the ASEAN experiances & reflected central role of ASEAN intended to play in driving the ARF process forward. Most progress has occured in the area of confidence building. Numerous CBMs such as :
- enhanced contacts including military academics, staff colleges & training,
- defense publication - defense white papers.