For a long time, Southeast Asia has straddled some of the busiest trade routes in the world. More than half, and by some accounts up to two-thirds or three-quarters, of the world's shipping volume goes through the South China Sea.
Cooperation and contestations amongst great powers continue to determine the nature of international relations. However, the time for old-style geopolitical conflicts and contestations is over.
G20 is a relatively new institution, and it is both the result and one of the most important manifestations of the post-bipolar world as it emerged after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Global climate change and environmental crises will affect everyone, and only collective action can bring about the necessary changes to slow global warming.