The diplomatic structure of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is defined by a persistent cycle of meetings, according to a personal account from a former deputy foreign minister. Recalling the 2011 Indonesian chairmanship, the author describes a process where member states engage in continuous dialogue through formal conference rooms, informal settings like coffee shops, and digital communication channels.

This process is characterized by a repetitive cycle: members convene, discuss issues, express disagreements, and issue joint statements, only to repeat the process again. While the author acknowledges the sheer volume of these interactions, the perspective suggests that this "endless" meeting culture is a functional necessity for regional diplomacy. Rather than viewing the lack of immediate resolution as a failure, the account frames the ongoing communication as the core mechanism that keeps the diverse member states engaged with one another. The narrative emphasizes that the value of ASEAN lies in the endurance of the process itself, which facilitates sustained interaction among nations that might otherwise struggle to find common ground.