ASEAN, or the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, is a political and economic union of 10 states in Southeast

Asia. The member states of ASEAN represent a population of over 600 million people and a land area of 4.5 million
square kilometers ². The organization was established on August 8, 1967, with the signing of the ASEAN
Declaration (also known as the Bangkok Declaration) by the founding members: Indonesia, Malaysia, the
Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand ². The primary objective of ASEAN is to promote economic growth, social
progress, and cultural development in the region, as well as to maintain peace and stability ¹. ASEAN has three
main pillars: the ASEAN Political-Security Community, the ASEAN Economic Community, and the ASEAN Socio-
Cultural Community ¹. The ASEAN Economic Community aims to achieve a well-integrated and connected regional
economy within the global economic system, while the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community aims to enhance the
quality of life of ASEAN citizens and promote sustainable development in the region ¹. The ASEAN Communication
Master Plan is a comprehensive framework that guides the organization's communication efforts ¹.

About ASEAN
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, was established on 8 August 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand,
with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration) by the Founding Fathers of ASEAN: Indonesia,
Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Brunei Darussalam joined ASEAN on 7 January 1984, followed by
Viet Nam on 28 July 1995, Lao PDR and Myanmar on 23 July 1997, and Cambodia on 30 April 1999, making up what
is today the ten Member States of ASEAN
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a regional organization of 10 Southeast Asian and Pacific
Rim countries whose governments collaborate to promote socio-cultural, economic, and political advancement in
the region.
What We Do
ASEAN Organs always strive to achieve ASEAN's goals and objectives. The Secretary-General of ASEAN and the
ASEAN Secretariat shall function as coordinator to facilitate effective decision-making within and among ASEAN
bodies. In addition, each ASEAN Member State shall appoint a Permanent Representative to liaise with the
Secretary-General and ASEAN Secretariat.
As set out in the ASEAN Declaration, the aims and purposes of ASEAN are:
accelerate the economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region through joint endeavours
in the spirit of equality and partnership in order to strengthen the foundation for a prosperous and peaceful
community of Southeast Asian Nations;

promote regional peace and stability through abiding respect for justice and the rule of law in the relationship
among countries of the region and adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter;

promote active collaboration and mutual assistance on matters of common interest in the economic, social,
cultural, technical, scientific and administrative fields;