ASEAN

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is an intergovernmental forum for all 11 states in Southeast Asia. It works together to help the area grow economically, stay peaceful, and follow important international rules. ASEAN believes in making decisions together and respecting each country’s right to make its own laws.

With more than 680 million people, ASEAN’s combined economy is big, making up about 6.3% of the world’s total economy. The countries in ASEAN are different, from places that are still developing, like Laos, to growing economies like Vietnam, to more advanced ones like Singapore. ASEAN has created many projects to help its members, such as the ASEAN Power Grid, ASEAN Free Trade Area, and a system for easy payments across the region.

ASEAN also has strong relationships with countries in East Asia and South Asia. It plays an important role in keeping the area around the South China Sea and the wider Indo-Pacific safe and peaceful. Countries and groups around the world have special offices near ASEAN’s headquarters in Jakarta to work with it.

ASEAN began in 1967 with a declaration signed by five countries. It started to stop the spread of communism but later shifted its focus to economic growth and keeping Southeast Asia free from outside control. In 2008, the members signed a charter to work together more formally. Today, ASEAN faces challenges like conflicts in places such as Myanmar and disagreements over land in the South China Sea, but it is still seen as a good example of countries working together for common goals.

History

Main article: History of ASEAN

Background

Further information: History of Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia is a special place where many cultures meet. It lies between East Asia and South Asia, near important oceans like the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean. This made it a center for trade and ideas for thousands of years.

Long ago, around 100 BCE, Southeast Asia was a key spot for trading ships moving between the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea. This brought new ways of writing, like the abugida scripts, and later the Chinese script to places like Vietnam. Many different writing styles were used, such as Pallava, Kawi, and Rencong, before being replaced by Jawi as Islam spread.

Later, European countries like France, Britain, Netherlands, Spain, and Portugal came and ruled many parts of Southeast Asia. Only Thailand stayed independent. During this time, new religions and technologies came to the region.

Formation

ASEAN started with a group called the Association of Southeast Asia, formed in 1961 by Thailand, the Philippines, and Malaya. Then, on August 8, 1967, five countries — Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand — created ASEAN. They signed the ASEAN Declaration in Bangkok. Their goal was to help each other grow economically and socially, keep peace, and work together on shared problems.

At first, ASEAN was formed because of worries about communism spreading after World War II. Later, as the world changed, ASEAN grew stronger and became important for trade and security in the area.

The first big meeting of ASEAN leaders was in Bali, Indonesia, in 1976. They talked about projects to help the area grow and signed agreements to work together peacefully. After the Cold War ended, ASEAN became even more active in helping countries work together.

In 1995, a treaty was signed to make Southeast Asia free of nuclear weapons. This treaty became active in 2001 after all members agreed to it.

Expansion

Brunei joined ASEAN in 1984. Vietnam joined in 1995, followed by Laos and Myanmar in 1997. Cambodia joined in 1999 after some problems. Most recently, Timor-Leste joined ASEAN on October 26, 2025, as its 11th member.

In 2006, ASEAN got a special status at the United Nations. This helped it work better with other countries.

The ASEAN Charter

In 2008, ASEAN members created a charter to work more closely together, like a group of countries helping each other. This charter made ASEAN an official group with rules. It aimed to help 500 million people in Southeast Asia work and trade together.

Public health

ASEAN works together to help during health problems like diseases. During big health issues, they share ideas and plans to keep everyone safe.

Myanmar crisis

Since 2017, events in Myanmar have been challenging for ASEAN. These events have tested how ASEAN works together and its place in the world.

2026 First Summit Inclusion of East-Timor and US-Israel vs Iran War

The 2026 ASEAN summit in the Philippines was important because East Timor joined as a full member. This summit happened while António Guterres, the United Nations Secretary-General, was in charge. They talked about many topics to help the region grow and stay strong.

Member states

Main article: Member states of ASEAN

List of member states

Observer states

Main article: Enlargement of ASEAN

Right now, one country is hoping to join ASEAN: Papua New Guinea.

• Accession of Papua New Guinea to ASEAN (observer status since 1976)

There are two countries trying to become observer states in ASEAN; Fiji and Bangladesh.

• Accession of Fiji to ASEAN.
• Accession of Bangladesh to ASEAN (trying to get observer status, with the aim of becoming a full member later.)

There was also one country that tried to join ASEAN a long time ago but stopped, which was Sri Lanka.

• Accession of Sri Lanka to ASEAN (was invited as one of the founders of ASEAN; tried to join in 1981; but was turned down by Singapore)

Dialogue partners

• Australia, Canada, China, European Union, India, Japan, New Zealand, Russia, South Korea, United Kingdom and United States.

Sectoral Dialogue partners

• Brazil, Morocco, Norway, Pakistan, South Africa, Switzerland, Turkey and United Arab Emirates.

Development partners

• Chile, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands and Peru.

The ASEAN Way

The ASEAN Way is a special way that Southeast Asian countries use to solve problems. It focuses on being friendly and respectful, using quiet talks and teamwork instead of arguments. Leaders work together in private to make decisions that everyone agrees on, avoiding public fights.

Some people think this method could help in other parts of the world, but others say it only works for Southeast Asia because of its unique culture. They worry that this way of doing things might not let the group take strong action when needed, since everyone must agree before anything can happen. Different countries in ASEAN have slightly different ideas about how to use this method, which can make it tricky to solve big problems together.

Structure

Beginning in 1997, leaders from each member country agreed on a vision called ASEAN Vision 2020. This vision helps create a single community for all of Southeast Asia. It talks about peace, stability, working together on the economy, and protecting the environment.

ASEAN has three main goals for its community: political and security, economic, and social and cultural. These goals were planned to come together by 2015.

The economic goal aims to make it easier for people, goods, services, and money to move around the region. This helps everyone grow together. There are tools to track how well this is working.

The social and cultural goal focuses on helping people, protecting the environment, and making sure everyone has a good life. It also wants to bring all the countries closer together.

Economy

See also: List of ASEAN countries by GDP and List of ASEAN country subdivisions by GDP

The group worked to bring its economies closer together by creating a single market by the end of 2015. From 1989 to 2009, the average growth in the economies of member states was between 3.8% and 7%, which is more than the average growth of APEC at 2.8%. The ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA), started on 28 January 1992, includes a Common Effective Preferential Tariff (CEPT) to help goods move freely between member states. ASEAN had only six members when AFTA began. New members like Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia are working to meet AFTA's rules but are given more time to do so.

ASEAN countries have many economic zones such as industrial parks and technology parks. In 2018, eight ASEAN members were among the world's growing economies, and the region is expected to become the world's fourth largest economy by 2030.

The ASEAN Centre for Energy publishes the ASEAN Energy Outlook every five years to help connect energy systems across the region. The sixth edition came out in 2020.

Internal market

ASEAN planned to create a single market by the end of 2015 based on four main freedoms: goods, services, skilled labour, and capital. The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) started in 2015, but some rules for a common market were delayed until 2025. In May 2025, ASEAN set new goals for 2045 and a plan for 2026–2030.

Before 2010, trade between ASEAN countries was low, mostly sending exports outside the region. In 2009, foreign direct investment (FDI) was US$37.9 billion and doubled to US$75.8 billion in 2010. 22% of this investment came from the European Union, followed by ASEAN countries, Japan, and the United States.

ASEAN agreed to make it easier for certain professionals like doctors, nurses, and engineers to work in any ASEAN country by the end of 2015.

Six member states (Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, and Singapore) are working together to connect their stock markets.

The single market also includes the ASEAN Single Aviation Market (ASEAN-SAM), which aims to make air travel easier between member states. Since 2008, rules have been relaxed on flying between capital cities, and since 2011, airlines can offer more flight options.

Monetary union

The idea of an Asian Currency Unit (ACU) started in the mid-1990s before the 1997 Asian financial crisis. It is a proposed group of Asian currencies, similar to the European Currency Unit. The Asian Development Bank is studying how to create this group. A common currency could help the region's financial stability and make cross-border business cheaper. It would also save money for travelers and make comparing prices easier.

But there are challenges. Member states trade more with other countries (80%) than with each other (20%), so they care more about currency stability against major currencies like the US dollar. Also, member states have different levels of economic development and priorities, which means they need to work on having more similar economic conditions. There are also concerns about weaknesses in financial systems and the need for better regional resources and institutions.

Free trade

In 1992, the Common Effective Preferential Tariff (CEPT) scheme was started to lower tariffs and boost the region's competitiveness. This became the framework for the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA), signed on 28 January 1992 in Singapore.

Free trade in ASEAN is led by the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) and the Agreement on Customs. These are supported by several groups working on free trade measures.

In August 2007, ASEAN aimed to finish free trade agreements (FTA) with Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, New Zealand, and China by 2013. In November 2007, ASEAN signed the ASEAN Charter, which governs relations among members and makes ASEAN an international legal entity. Also in 2007, the Cebu Declaration on East Asian Energy Security was signed, looking for energy alternatives to fossil fuels.

In February 2009, an FTA with Australia and New Zealand was signed. An agreement with Taiwan created the ASEAN–Taiwan Free Trade Area (ACFTA), which started fully on 1 January 2010. ASEAN also negotiated an FTA with the European Union. Trade with India passed US$70 billion in 2012. Taiwan showed interest in an agreement with ASEAN but faced diplomatic issues with China.

ASEAN and its six major trading partners began talks in February 2013 in Bali, Indonesia, on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), covering 45% of the world's population and about a third of the world's GDP.

In 2019, traders used a method to avoid high tariffs on ethanol imported into Taiwan from the United States by mixing it with ASEAN-produced fuel and re-exporting it to China.

Electricity trade

Cross-border electricity trade in ASEAN has been small, despite efforts since 1997 to create an ASEAN Power Grid. Electricity trade makes up only about 5% of generation, while coal and gas trade are much higher.

Tourism

See also: Visa policy of ASEAN members

With easier travel rules between ASEAN members, travel within the region has grown. In 2010, 47% of tourists in ASEAN countries came from other ASEAN countries. Tourism cooperation started in 1976, and the first ASEAN Tourism Forum was held in Kuala Lumpur in October 1981. ASEAN Promotional Chapters for Tourism were set up in several countries in 1986.

Tourism is a key part of ASEAN's economy and has grown even during global challenges. In 2015, ASEAN welcomed 109 million tourists, up from 81 million in 2011. Tourism made up about 4.6% of ASEAN's GDP in 2012 and supported many jobs. In 2012, ASEAN tourism ministers agreed on a marketing strategy for the future.

The ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) started in 1981 and brings together tourism leaders from all ASEAN member states to promote the region as one destination.

Southeast Asian carrier AirAsia uses the "Truly ASEAN" tagline to promote regional tourism.

Cooperation funds

The China-ASEAN Investment Cooperation Fund started in 2010, with support from the Export-Import Bank of China and other investors. The Export-Import Bank of China put in US$300 million as the main sponsor, and three other Chinese institutions added US$500 million. The International Finance Corporation of the World Bank also invested US$100 million.

In November 2011, the China-ASEAN Maritime Cooperation fund was created, valued at RMB 3 billion.

Foreign relations

ASEA works with many countries and groups around the world. It holds meetings called ASEAN Summits where leaders talk about important issues. The first summit was in 1976 in Bali, and they now meet every year to discuss urgent matters. These meetings also include discussions with other countries to build friendships and handle global issues.

ASEA is a friend to many organizations, like the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. It also works closely with China on many topics such as trade and security. ASEA is important to Australia and New Zealand as well, and they all work together as a team.

ASEA is part of the East Asia Summit, a meeting of leaders from eighteen countries in East Asia. This summit talks about trade, energy, and security, and helps build a stronger region. Other meetings include the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting and the ASEAN Regional Forum, which talk about topics like defense and the environment.

ASEA Plus Three is a group that includes ASEA plus China, Japan, and South Korea. They meet to talk about many issues, including finance, food security, and disaster management. This group started in 1997 and has helped with financial stability in Asia.

ASEA Plus Three has also talked about other important topics like energy, trade, and the environment. They work together to help each other and make life better for everyone.

ASEA Plus Six is an even bigger group that includes ASEA Plus Three plus India, Australia, and New Zealand. This group helps build stronger ties between these countries and works on projects like free trade agreements. India is not currently part of one of these agreements but may join later.

Environment

ASEAN started talking about environmental agreements at the beginning of the 2000s. One important agreement was the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution in 2002, aimed at reducing haze pollution in the area. However, haze problems continued in several years, showing that more work was needed.

The region also faces issues like deforestation, plastic waste, and threats to animal and plant species. ASEAN's growing economy releases a lot of CO₂ into the air each year, making it a big source of greenhouse gas emissions. Despite this, ASEAN has a lot of potential for renewable energy like solar and wind power. Countries like Vietnam are leading the way in using these clean energy sources.

ASEAN is working to change to cleaner energy, which will need a lot of money and help from other countries. Some countries, like Indonesia and Vietnam, have plans to stop using coal power in the future. The ASEAN Power Grid could help share clean energy between countries.

Education

ASEAN education ministers have agreed on four main goals to improve education in the region. These goals include raising awareness about ASEAN among its citizens, especially young people, strengthening a shared ASEAN identity through learning, and building up skilled workers in education. They also focus on supporting the ASEAN University Network.

Leaders at the 11th ASEAN Summit in December 2005 encouraged education ministers to meet regularly to discuss regional education projects. The annual ASEAN Education Ministers Meeting helps guide these efforts. The ASEAN Senior Officials on Education manage programs and activities, including work on higher education through the ASEAN University Network. This network connects universities across Southeast Asia to share knowledge and build skills.

In November 2011, ten vocational schools were set up in China to help train workers for the economic and social growth of ASEAN countries. Singapore also offers scholarships to students from other ASEAN nations for secondary school, junior college, and university studies. These scholarships cover costs like housing, food, medical care, school fees, and exam fees. Students who do well may apply for undergraduate scholarships in Singapore or other ASEAN countries.

The Australian Government provides 'Australia for ASEAN' scholarships for students from ASEAN member states. By studying for a Master’s degree, recipients gain skills to lead change, strengthen ties with Australia, and take part in programs to shape the ASEAN Outlook for the Indo-Pacific. Each ASEAN member state can receive ten of these scholarships.

Demographics

In July 2019, the population of ASEAN was about 655 million people, which is 8.5% of the world's population. In 2019, there were 55.2 million children aged 0–4 and 46.3 million people older than 65 in ASEAN. The population of the region grows by 1.1% each year. Thailand has the slowest growth at 0.2% per year, while Cambodia has the fastest growth at 1.9% per year.

Urbanisation

See also: List of cities in ASEAN by population

In 2020, just over half of the people in Southeast Asia lived in cities. This number is expected to rise to 55.6% by 2030, meaning almost 405 million people will live in urban areas. Many big cities are located near coastlines and river deltas, forming a dense area around the Java Sea, South China Sea, and Gulf of Thailand.

Southeast Asia has many large cities. About 13% of people live in 28 cities with more than one million people, and another 14% live in smaller towns with between 100,000 and 1 million people.

The biggest city area is Greater Jakarta (Jabodetabek) in Indonesia, with around 42 million people in 2025. This is followed by the Greater Manila Area in the Philippines, with about 28 million people. Jakarta, Manila, and Bangkok are three very large cities, each with more than ten million people in their surrounding areas. Other important cities include Ho Chi Minh City, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hanoi, Surabaya, and many others across Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia. There are also large urban areas that connect several cities, like the Jakarta–Bandung corridor in Java, the Singapore–Johor Bahru–Batam growth triangle (SIJORI), the extended Bangkok–Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) along the Gulf of Thailand, and areas in the Greater Mekong Subregion and the Brunei–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP–EAGA).

Culture

The ASEAN group holds many cultural activities to help bring the region closer together. These include sports events, learning programs, and writing contests. Some examples are the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity, ASEAN Heritage Parks, and the ASEAN Outstanding Scientist and Technologist Award. The area is known for its rich diversity in people, religions, and languages.

Media

The countries in ASEAN work together to share information and build a shared identity. One important group is the ASEAN Committee on Culture and Information (COCI). It started in 1978 and brings together leaders from many areas like foreign affairs, culture, radio, TV, museums, and libraries. They meet every year to plan projects.

In 2014, leaders created the ASEAN Communication Master Plan to better share ASEAN’s goals and vision. The ASEAN Media Cooperation helps plan for digital TV, replacing older analogue systems. Key projects include:

• The ASEAN Media Portal, started in 2007, offers videos, games, music, and clips about ASEAN cultures and media.
• The ASEAN NewsMaker Project, began in 2009 in Singapore, teaches students and teachers to make video news reports about their countries.
• The ASEAN Digital Broadcasting Meeting happens each year to discuss plans for digital TV by 2020. Members also work on making digital TV boxes affordable.
• The ASEAN Post, launched in 2017, is a digital news site based in Malaysia.

National public/state-owned radio and television networks of ASEAN

•  Brunei: Radio Television Brunei
•  Cambodia: Bayon Television and National Television of Cambodia
•  Indonesia: Televisi Republik Indonesia and Radio Republik Indonesia
•  Laos: Lao National Radio and Lao National Television
•  Malaysia: Radio Televisyen Malaysia
•  Myanmar: Myanmar International, Myanmar National Television and Myanmar Radio and Television
•  Philippines: People's Television Network, Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation and Presidential Broadcast Service
•  Singapore: Mediacorp
•  Thailand: MCOT, National Broadcasting Services of Thailand, Radio Thailand, Royal Thai Army Radio and Television Station and Thai Public Broadcasting Service
•  Timor-Leste: Radio-Televisão Timor Leste
•  Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh City Television, Vietnam Television and Voice of Vietnam

Music

Music is important in ASEAN. Many songs have been created for the group, including “The ASEAN Way”, the official anthem, and songs for special events like the 34th ASEAN Summit in Bangkok in June 2019.

Sports

The main sports event in ASEAN is the Southeast Asian Games, held every two years with athletes from all eleven member countries.

Games events

1. SEA Games
2. ASEAN University Games
3. ASEAN School Games
4. ASEAN Para Games

Championships events

1. Southeast Asian Football Championship (ASEAN Championship) – Since 1996
2. Southeast Asian Basketball Championship (SEABA Championship) – Since 1994
3. Southeast Asian Shooting Championship – Since 1967 - South East Asia Shooting Championship - 46th SEASA in 2025 in  Chinese Taipei With HKG, TPE and some of JPN and Korea.
4. Southeast Asian Cricket Championship
5. Southeast Asian Handball Championship
6. Southeast Asian Floorball Championships
7. Southeast Asian Hockey Championship
8. Southeast Asian Baseball Championship
9. Southeast Asian Volleyball Championship (SEA V.League) – Since 2019
10. Southeast Asian Sepaktakraw Championship
11. Southeast Asian Footvolley Championship
12. Southeast Asian Youth Athletics Championships
13. Southeast Asian Swimming Championships
14. Southeast Asian Gymnastics Championship
15. Southeast Asian Cycling Championship
16. Southeast Asian Shooting Championship
17. Southeast Asian Archery Championship
18. Southeast Asian Sailing Championship
19. Southeast Asian Rowing Championship
20. Southeast Asian Canoeing Championship
21. Southeast Asian Boxing Championship
22. Southeast Asian Fencing Championship
23. Southeast Asian Kurash Championship
24. Southeast Asian Wrestling Championship
25. Southeast Asian Weightlifting Championship
26. Southeast Asian Powerlifting Championship
27. Southeast Asian Bodybuilding Championship
28. Southeast Asian Judo Championship
29. Southeast Asian Jujitsu Championship
30. Southeast Asian Muaythai Championship
31. Southeast Asian Sambo Championship
32. Southeast Asian Vovinam Championship
33. Southeast Asian Karate Championship
34. Southeast Asian Taekwondo Championship
35. Southeast Asian Wushu Championship
36. Southeast Asian Pencak Silat Championship
37. Southeast Asian Badminton Championship
38. Southeast Asian Tennis Championship
39. Southeast Asian Table Tennis Championships
40. Southeast Asian Squash Championship
41. Southeast Asian Chess Championship
42. Southeast Asian Triathlon Championship
43. Southeast Asian Golf Championship (ASEAN PGA Tour) – Since 2007
44. Southeast Asian Esports Championship
45. Southeast Asian Bowling Championship
46. Southeast Asian Cue Sports Championship
47. Southeast Asian Arnis Championship
48. Southeast Asian Chinlone Championship
49. Southeast Asian Contract Bridge Championship
50. Southeast Asian Bowls Championship
51. Southeast Asian Go Championship
52. Southeast Asian Dragon Boat Championship
53. Southeast Asian Obstacle Racing Championship
54. Southeast Asian Polo Championship
55. Southeast Asian Waterskiing Championship
56. Southeast Asian Woodball Championship
57. Southeast Asian Finswimming Championship
58. Southeast Asian Kun Khmer Championship

Global influence and reception

ASEAN is seen as one of the world's most important groups, playing a big role in world talks about peace, safety, and trade. The ASEAN Free Trade Area is one of the largest free trade areas, helping countries work together on big projects like APEC, EAS, and RCEP. Leaders from many nations meet at the ASEAN Summit to discuss important problems and make decisions.

Some people worry that ASEAN does not always stand up for fair treatments and free choices, especially in places like Myanmar. There have been concerns about how ASEAN handles problems, like pollution and human rights. Some think ASEAN talks a lot but does not always act strongly. Experts say that because countries in ASEAN are very different, it is hard for them to work together on more than just trade. There are also problems with unfair business practices and corruption in many places.

Economic integration

When ASEAN planned to work more closely together by 2015, some experts said it might not happen all at once. They talked about problems like making sure people understand the changes, fixing visa rules, and helping banks work better together. Some countries, like the Philippines, felt they were not ready for these big changes. Others, like Vietnam and Cambodia, also had worries about being prepared. Even though ASEAN has big goals for economic teamwork, there are still many challenges to overcome.

Security

ASEAN is known for discussing important security topics among its members. Its goal is to help countries work together to solve problems and stay safe. This is done by building trust and being open with each other about plans and actions.

Piracy near the strait of Malacca and in the Sulu and Celebes Sea is a big worry for the area. Even with plans to improve safety, it’s hard for all countries to agree on the best way to handle these issues. Some countries focus on their own problems instead of working together, making it tough to create strong regional plans.

Other worries include human rights issues and political problems in some countries, which can affect the whole region. ASEAN members also practice together through naval exercises to improve their teamwork and safety efforts.