Singapore has big role to ensure Asean stays relevant and competitive

THE curtain has fallen on the Philippines' year-long chairmanship of the Association of South-east Asian Nations (Asean), and the ceremonial gavel was passed to Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in Manila this week, as the Republic gears up to helm the 10-member bloc in 2018.

It probably goes without saying that there is never an easy time to take the reins of the 50-year-old grouping, but Singapore - which last chaired Asean in 2007 - does have a particularly heavy load of responsibilities to handle.

On top of the dozens of meetings that Singapore will host through the year, Asean will hold special summits in Australia and India, celebrate 45 years of relations with Japan, and mark the 25th anniversary of the Asean Regional Forum.