The collective and individual work agenda facing the Southeast Asian countries in the years ahead is a heavy one, necessitating collaboration, cooperation and counterparting among governments, civil society, business and the international development institutions. Southeast Asia has made strong headway in fostering and effectively harnessing such partnerships for sustainable development. Still, the scope for further widening and deepening such partnerships in Southeast Asia remains large. ASEAN can lead the way by effecting stronger and more systematic participation by both by civil society and the private business sector in its development processes. remains large. ASEAN can lead the way by effecting stronger and more systematic participation by both by civil society and the private business sector in its development processes.