Administrative Diplomacy: A New Framework for Regional Cooperation in Public Administration Development in Asia

Purpose: This paper introduces administrative diplomacy as a new framework for fostering regional cooperation in public administration development and aims to enrich the discourse on comparative public administration while highlighting Asia’s potential to pioneer innovative forms of regional cooperation.

Background: In recent decades, the landscape of international relations has expanded beyond traditional diplomacy to include new forms of cooperation in governance and public sector development. While economic and political diplomacy are well established, the concept of administrative diplomacy remains underexplored, particularly in the Asian context.

Method/Approach: Drawing upon theories of governance networks and institutional cooperation, the paper positions administrative diplomacy as a complementary layer to political and economic integration. The study reviews the challenges of public administration in Asia, such as institutional diversity, capacity gaps, and uneven governance quality, and builds on comparative experiences from ASEAN, SAARC, BRICS, SCO, ECO and other regional bodies.

Findings: Administrative diplomacy is defined as the systematic interaction among public administrations across borders aimed at capacity building, knowledge sharing, and policy innovation. The paper proposes a four-pillar framework of administrative diplomacy: (1) knowledge sharing and policy learning, (2) capacity building and training, (3) institutional networking, and (4) collaborative problem-solving. Through illustrative cases, the paper demonstrates how administrative diplomacy can contribute to trust-building, sustainable development, and resilience against transnational crises such as pandemics and climate change.

Conclusion: The paper offers policy recommendations for governments, regional organizations, and academic institutions to institutionalize administrative diplomacy as a driver of good governance in Asia. By conceptualizing administrative diplomacy and outlining a practical framework, this study enriches the discourse on comparative public administration and emphasizes Asia’s potential role in advancing regional cooperation.