{"history":[{"id":"802ff906-c6b2-42f6-a110-5760e9727267","wordChanged":"piracy,","newWord":":::summary\n**Subbox:** yes \n**Bodystyle:** font-size:77%;font-weight:normal; \n**Rowclass 1:** mergedrow \n**Label 1:** [Burmese](https://bliptext.com/articles/burmese-language): \n**Data 1:** အရှေ့တောင်အာရှနိုင်ငံများအသင်း aashaetaungaarsh ninenganmyarr aahpwal \n**Rowclass 2:** mergedrow \n**Label 2:** [Filipino](https://bliptext.com/articles/filipino-language): \n**Data 2:** Samahán ng mga Bansâ sa Timog Silangang Asya \n**Rowclass 4:** mergedrow \n**Label 4:** [Indonesian](https://bliptext.com/articles/indonesian-language): \n**Data 4:** Perhimpunan Bangsa-bangsa Asia Tenggara \n**Rowclass 5:** mergedrow \n**Label 5:** [Khmer](https://bliptext.com/articles/khmer-language): \n**Data 5:** សមាគមប្រជាជាតិអាស៊ីអាគ្នេយ៍ Samāgam Prajājāti ʿʹāsʹī ʿʹāgney ̊ \n**Rowclass 6:** mergedrow \n**Label 6:** [Lao](https://bliptext.com/articles/lao-language): \n**Data 6:** ສະມາຄົມປະຊາຊາດແຫ່ງອາຊີຕະເວັນອອກສຽງໃຕ້ samakhom pasasad aehng asi tauaen ksiang tai \n**Rowclass 7:** mergedrow \n**Label 7:** [Malay(sian)](https://bliptext.com/articles/malaysian-malay): \n**Data 7:** Persatuan Negara-negara Asia Tenggara \n**Rowclass 8:** mergedrow \n**Label 8:** [Mandarin](https://bliptext.com/articles/singaporean-mandarin): \n**Data 8:** 亚细安组织 · 东南亚国家联盟 · 東南亞國家協會 ''Yàxì'ān zǔzhī · Dōngnányà guójiā liánméng · Dōngnányà guójiā xiéhuì'' \n**Rowclass 9:** mergedrow \n**Label 9:** [Tamil](https://bliptext.com/articles/tamil-language): \n**Data 9:** தென்கிழக்காசிய நாடுகளின் கூட்டமைப்பு Teṉkiḻakkāciya nāṭukaḷiṉ kūṭṭamaippu \n**Rowclass 1 0:** mergedrow \n**Label 1 0:** [Thai](https://bliptext.com/articles/thai-language): \n**Data 1 0:** สมาคมประชาชาติแห่งเอเชียตะวันออกเฉียงใต้ S̄mākhm prachāchāti h̄æ̀ng xecheīy khwām yĕn \n**Rowclass 1 1:** mergedrow \n**Label 1 1:** [Vietnamese](https://bliptext.com/articles/vietnamese-language): \n**Data 1 1:** Hiệp hội các quốc gia Đông Nam Á \n:::\n\n# \nThe **Association of [Southeast Asia](https://bliptext.com/articles/southeast-asia)n Nations**, commonly abbreviated as **ASEAN**, is a [political](https://bliptext.com/articles/political-union) and [economic union](https://bliptext.com/articles/economic-union) of 10 [states](https://bliptext.com/articles/sovereign-state) in [Southeast Asia](https://bliptext.com/articles/southeast-asia).\nTogether, its member states represent a population of more than 600 million people and land area of over 4.5 e6km2.\nThe bloc generated a [purchasing power parity](https://bliptext.com/articles/purchasing-power-parity) (PPP) [gross domestic product](https://bliptext.com/articles/gross-domestic-product) (GDP) of around US$10.2trillion in 2022, constituting approximately 6.5% of global [GDP (PPP)](https://bliptext.com/articles/list-of-countries-by-gdp-ppp).\nASEAN member states include some of the fastest growing economies in the world, and the institution plays an integral role in East Asian regionalism.\nThe primary objectives of ASEAN, as stated by the association, are \"to accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region\", and \"to promote regional peace and stability through abiding respect for justice and the rule of law in the relationship among countries in the region and adherence to the principles of the [United Nations Charter](https://bliptext.com/articles/charter-of-the-united-nations).\"\nIn recent years, the bloc has broadened its objectives beyond economic and social spheres.\nASEAN engages with other supranational entities in the [Asia-Pacific](https://bliptext.com/articles/asia-pacific) region and other parts of the world.\nIt is a major partner of the [UN](https://bliptext.com/articles/united-nations), [SCO](https://bliptext.com/articles/shanghai-cooperation-organisation), [PA](https://bliptext.com/articles/pacific-alliance), [GCC](https://bliptext.com/articles/gulf-cooperation-council), [MERCOSUR](https://bliptext.com/articles/mercosur), [CELAC](https://bliptext.com/articles/community-of-latin-american-and-caribbean-states), and [ECO](https://bliptext.com/articles/economic-cooperation-organization), It also hosts diplomatic missions throughout the world, maintaining a global network of relationships that is widely regarded as the central forum for cooperation in the region.\nIts success has become the driving force of some of the largest trade blocs in history, including [APEC](https://bliptext.com/articles/asia-pacific-economic-cooperation) and [RCEP](https://bliptext.com/articles/regional-comprehensive-economic-partnership).\n# [ASEAN headquarters in Jakarta | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7d/ASEAN///HQ///1.jpg]\n\n# History\n\n## Founding\nThe predecessor of ASEAN was the Association of Southeast Asia (ASA), formed on 31 July 1961 and consisting of [Thailand](https://bliptext.com/articles/thailand), the [Philippines](https://bliptext.com/articles/philippines), and [Malaya](https://bliptext.com/articles/federation-of-malaya).\nASEAN itself was created on 8 August 1967, when the [foreign ministers](https://bliptext.com/articles/foreign-minister) of five countries—[Indonesia](https://bliptext.com/articles/indonesia), [Malaysia](https://bliptext.com/articles/malaysia), the [Philippines](https://bliptext.com/articles/philippines), [Singapore](https://bliptext.com/articles/singapore), and [Thailand](https://bliptext.com/articles/thailand)—signed the [ASEAN Declaration](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-declaration).\nAccording to the Declaration, ASEAN aims to accelerate economic, social, and cultural development in the region, as well as promoting regional peace, to collaborate on matters of shared interest, and to promote [Southeast Asian studies](https://bliptext.com/articles/southeast-asian-studies) and maintain close cooperation with existing international organisations.\nThe creation of ASEAN was initially motivated by [the desire to contain communism](https://bliptext.com/articles/anti-communism), which had taken a foothold in mainland Asia after [World War II](https://bliptext.com/articles/world-war-ii), with the formation of communist governments in [North Korea](https://bliptext.com/articles/north-korea), China, and [Vietnam](https://bliptext.com/articles/north-vietnam), accompanied by the so-called communist \"emergency\" in [British Malaya](https://bliptext.com/articles/british-malaya), and unrest in the recently decolonized [Philippines](https://bliptext.com/articles/philippines).\nThese events also encouraged the earlier formation of the [South East Asia Treaty Organization](https://bliptext.com/articles/south-east-asia-treaty-organization) (SEATO), led by the [United States](https://bliptext.com/articles/united-states), [United Kingdom](https://bliptext.com/articles/united-kingdom), and [Australia](https://bliptext.com/articles/australia), with several Southeast Asian partners in 1954 as an extension of \"containment\" policy, seeking to create an Eastern version of [NATO](https://bliptext.com/articles/nato).\nHowever, the local member states of ASEAN group achieved greater cohesion in the mid-1970s following a change in the balance of power after the fall of Saigon and the end of the [Vietnam War](https://bliptext.com/articles/vietnam-war) in April 1975 and the decline of SEATO.\nASEAN's first summit meeting, held in [Bali](https://bliptext.com/articles/bali), [Indonesia](https://bliptext.com/articles/indonesia), in 1976, resulted in an agreement on several industrial projects and the signing of a [Treaty of Amity and Cooperation](https://bliptext.com/articles/treaty-of-amity-and-cooperation-in-southeast-asia), and a Declaration of Concord.\nThe end of the [Cold War](https://bliptext.com/articles/cold-war) allowed ASEAN countries to exercise greater political independence in the region, and in the 1990s, ASEAN emerged as a leading voice on [regional trade](https://bliptext.com/articles/regional-trade) and security issues.\nOn 15 December 1995, the [Southeast Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty](https://bliptext.com/articles/southeast-asian-nuclear-weapon-free-zone-treaty) was signed to turn Southeast Asia into a [nuclear-weapon-free zone](https://bliptext.com/articles/nuclear-weapon-free-zone).\nThe treaty took effect on 28 March 1997 after all but one of the member states had ratified it.\nIt became fully effective on 21 June 2001 after the Philippines ratified it, effectively banning all nuclear weapons in the region.\n\n## Expansion\nOn 7 January 1984, [Brunei](https://bliptext.com/articles/brunei) became ASEAN's sixth member and on 28 July 1995, following the end of the [Cold War](https://bliptext.com/articles/cold-war), [Vietnam](https://bliptext.com/articles/vietnam) joined as the seventh member.\n[Laos](https://bliptext.com/articles/laos) and [Myanmar](https://bliptext.com/articles/myanmar) (formerly Burma) joined two years later on 23 July 1997.\n[Cambodia](https://bliptext.com/articles/cambodia) was to join at the same time as [Laos](https://bliptext.com/articles/laos) and [Myanmar](https://bliptext.com/articles/myanmar), but a [Cambodia](https://bliptext.com/articles/cambodia)n coup in 1997 and other internal instability delayed its entry.\nIt then joined on 30 April 1999 following the stabilization of its government.\nIn 2006, ASEAN was given [observer status at the United Nations General Assembly](https://bliptext.com/articles/united-nations-general-assembly-observers).\nIn response, the organization awarded the status of \"dialogue partner\" to the UN.\n\n## Commonality\nBesides their close geographic proximity, political scholars consider [Southeast Asian](https://bliptext.com/articles/southeast-asia) nations a cultural crossroads between [East Asia](https://bliptext.com/articles/east-asia) and [South Asia](https://bliptext.com/articles/south-asia), located at critical junctions of the [South China Sea](https://bliptext.com/articles/south-china-sea) as well as the [Indian Ocean](https://bliptext.com/articles/indian-ocean), and as a result received much influence from [Islamic](https://bliptext.com/articles/arabic) and [Persian](https://bliptext.com/articles/persians) influences prior to the [European](https://bliptext.com/articles/europe) colonial ages.\nSince around 100 BCE, the Southeast Asian archipelago occupied a central position at the crossroads of the [Indian Ocean](https://bliptext.com/articles/indian-ocean) and the [South China Sea](https://bliptext.com/articles/south-china-sea) trading routes, which stimulated the economy and the influx of ideas.\nThis included the introduction of [abugida scripts](https://bliptext.com/articles/abugida) to Southeast Asia as well as the [Chinese script](https://bliptext.com/articles/ch-n-m) to [Vietnam](https://bliptext.com/articles/literary-chinese-in-vietnam).\nBesides various indigenous scripts, various abugida [Brahmic scripts](https://bliptext.com/articles/brahmic-scripts) were widespread in both continental and insular Southeast Asia.\nHistorically, scripts such as [Pallava](https://bliptext.com/articles/pallava-script), [Kawi](https://bliptext.com/articles/kawi-script) (from ancient [Tamil](https://bliptext.com/articles/tamil-language) script) and [Rencong](https://bliptext.com/articles/rencong-script) or Surat Ulu were used to write [Old Malay](https://bliptext.com/articles/old-malay), until they were replaced by [Jawi](https://bliptext.com/articles/jawi-script) during [Islamic](https://bliptext.com/articles/islam) [missionary](https://bliptext.com/articles/missionary) missions in the [Malay Archipelago](https://bliptext.com/articles/malay-archipelago).\n[European colonialism](https://bliptext.com/articles/european-colonial) influenced most ASEAN countries, including [French Indochina](https://bliptext.com/articles/french-indochina) (present-day [Vietnam](https://bliptext.com/articles/vietnam), [Laos](https://bliptext.com/articles/laos) & [Cambodia](https://bliptext.com/articles/cambodia)), [British Burma](https://bliptext.com/articles/british-rule-in-burma), [Malaya](https://bliptext.com/articles/british-malaya) and [Borneo](https://bliptext.com/articles/british-borneo) (present-day [Myanmar](https://bliptext.com/articles/myanmar), [Malaysia](https://bliptext.com/articles/malaysia) & [Singapore](https://bliptext.com/articles/singapore), and [Brunei](https://bliptext.com/articles/brunei)), [Dutch East Indies](https://bliptext.com/articles/dutch-east-indies) (present day [Indonesia](https://bliptext.com/articles/indonesia)), [Spanish East Indies](https://bliptext.com/articles/spanish-east-indies) (present-day [Philippines](https://bliptext.com/articles/philippines) and various other colonies), and [Portuguese Timor](https://bliptext.com/articles/portuguese-timor) (present-day [Timor-Leste](https://bliptext.com/articles/east-timor)), with only [Thailand](https://bliptext.com/articles/thailand) (then [Siam](https://bliptext.com/articles/siam)) not formed from a prior European colony.\nSiam served as a convenient buffer state, sandwiched between British Burma and French Indochina, but its kings had to contend with [unequal treaties](https://bliptext.com/articles/bowring-treaty) as well as British and French political interference and territorial losses after the [Franco-Siamese conflict of 1893](https://bliptext.com/articles/franco-siamese-conflict-of-1893) and the [Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909](https://bliptext.com/articles/anglo-siamese-treaty-of-1909).\nUnder European colonization, Southeast Asian nations were introduced to European religions and technologies, as well as the [Latin alphabet](https://bliptext.com/articles/latin-alphabet).\nThe [Japanese Empire](https://bliptext.com/articles/empire-of-japan), in the vein of the [Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere](https://bliptext.com/articles/greater-east-asia-co-prosperity-sphere) concept, sought to unite and create a pan-Asian identity against [Western colonial occupation](https://bliptext.com/articles/western-imperialism-in-asia), but Japan's alliance with the [Axis powers](https://bliptext.com/articles/axis-powers) in [World War II](https://bliptext.com/articles/world-war-ii) soured relations between many colonies of Europe and the United States.\nDefeat of Imperial Japan eventuated in [decolonization movements](https://bliptext.com/articles/decolonization-of-asia) throughout Southeast Asia, resulting in the independent ASEAN states of today.\n\n## The ASEAN Charter\nOn 15 December 2008, the member states met in [Jakarta](https://bliptext.com/articles/jakarta) to launch the charter signed in November 2007, to move closer to \"an [EU](https://bliptext.com/articles/european-union)-style community\".\nThe charter formally established ASEAN as a legal entity, aiming to create a single trade bloc for a region encompassing 500 million people.\nIndonesian president [Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono](https://bliptext.com/articles/susilo-bambang-yudhoyono) stated: \"This is a momentous development when ASEAN is consolidating, integrating, and transforming itself into a community. It is achieved while ASEAN seeks a more vigorous role in Asian and global affairs at a time when the international system is experiencing a seismic shift\".\nReferring to climate change and economic upheaval, he concluded: \"Southeast Asia is no longer the bitterly divided, war-torn region it was in the 1960s and 1970s\".\nThe [financial crisis of 2007–2008](https://bliptext.com/articles/financial-crisis-of-2007-2008) was seen as a threat to the charter's goals, and also set forth the idea of a proposed human rights body to be discussed at a future summit in February 2009.\nThis proposition caused controversy, as the body would not have the power to impose sanctions or punish countries which violated citizens' rights and would, therefore, be limited in effectiveness.\nThe body was established later in 2009 as the [ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-intergovernmental-commission-on-human-rights) (AICHR).\nIn November 2012, the commission adopted the [ASEAN Human Rights Declaration](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-human-rights-declaration).\nHowever, their human rights declaration has been critiqued widely by the international community, with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights stating that the declaration was worded in problematic ways that do not easily align with international norms.\nLikewise, the [Human Rights Watch](https://bliptext.com/articles/human-rights-watch) in the United States noted several important fundamental rights were omitted or not clearly established.\nThe ASEAN chair is a rotating position, currently held by [Laos](https://bliptext.com/articles/laos).\nRecent ASEAN chairs are as follows:\n\n## Public health\nIn response to pandemics, ASEAN has coordinated with ASEAN+3 and other actors to create a regional public health response.\n\n### SARS outbreak\nDuring the [SARS outbreak](https://bliptext.com/articles/2002-2004-sars-outbreak), ASEAN and ASEAN+3 worked together to devise a response to the outbreak.\nImmediate and short-to-medium term measures were devised.\nThe parties agreed to enhance sharing of best practices against the disease while also agreeing to bolster collaboration between their respective health authorities and harmonize travel procedures to ensure that proper health screening would occur.\nIn addition, China offered to contribute $1.2 million to the ASEAN SARS fund, made both to show that it was willing to cooperate with the rest of the region and make amends for its withholding of information during the initial stages of the outbreak.\n\n### H1N1 pandemic\nASEAN held a special meeting between ASEAN and ASEAN+3 health ministers on 8 May 2009, on responding to the [H1N1 pandemic](https://bliptext.com/articles/2009-swine-flu-pandemic).\nAt this meeting, it was agreed that hotlines would be established between public health authorities, joint response teams would be formed, and ongoing research efforts would be bolstered.\n\n## Myanmar crisis\nSince 2017, political, military and ethnic affairs in [Myanmar](https://bliptext.com/articles/myanmar) have posed unusual challenges for ASEAN, creating precedent-breaking situations and threatening the traditions and unity of the group, and its global standing —with ASEAN responses indicating possible fundamental change in the nature of the organization.\n\n### Rohingya genocide\nThe [Rohingya genocide](https://bliptext.com/articles/rohingya-genocide) erupting in [Myanmar](https://bliptext.com/articles/myanmar) in August 2017—killing thousands of [Rohingya people](https://bliptext.com/articles/rohingya-people) in [Myanmar](https://bliptext.com/articles/myanmar), driving most into neighboring [Bangladesh](https://bliptext.com/articles/bangladesh), and continuing for months —created a global outcry demanding ASEAN take action against the civilian-military [coalition government](https://bliptext.com/articles/coalition-government) of [Myanmar](https://bliptext.com/articles/myanmar), which had long discriminated against the Rohingya, and had launched the 2017 attacks upon them.\n\n\n### 2021 Myanmar coup\nOn 1 February 2021, the day before a newly elected slate of civilian leaders was to take office in Myanmar, a military junta overthrew Myanmar's civilian government in a [coup d'etat](https://bliptext.com/articles/2021-myanmar-coup-d-etat), declaring a national [state of emergency](https://bliptext.com/articles/state-of-emergency), imposing [martial law](https://bliptext.com/articles/martial-law), arresting elected civilian leaders, violently clamping down on dissent, and replacing civilian government with the military's appointees.\nWidespread protests and resistance erupted, and elements of the civilian leadership formed an underground \"[National Unity Government](https://bliptext.com/articles/national-unity-government-of-myanmar)\" (NUG).\nGlobal opposition to the coup emerged, and global pressure was brought on ASEAN to take action.\n\n# [Special ASEAN summit on the 2021 Myanmar coup. | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cf/2021///Special///ASEAN///Summit///on///Myanmar%27s///coup///d%27%C3%A9tat///%281%29.jpg]\n\n# Member states\n# [Map showing the member states of ASEAN | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b3/Map///of///ASEAN///member///states.svg]\n\n## List of member states\n\n## Observer states\nThere are currently two states seeking accession to ASEAN: [East Timor](https://bliptext.com/articles/east-timor) and [Papua New Guinea](https://bliptext.com/articles/papua-new-guinea).\n\n# Demographics\n, the population of the ASEAN was about 655 million people (8.5% of the world population).\nIn ASEAN in 2019, 55.2 million children were age 0–4 and 46.3 million people were older than 65.\nThis corresponds to 8.4% and 7.1% of the total ASEAN population.\nThe region's population growth is 1.1% per year.\n[Thailand](https://bliptext.com/articles/thailand) is the lowest at 0.2% per year, and [Cambodia](https://bliptext.com/articles/cambodia) is the highest at 1.9% per year.\nASEAN's sex ratio is 0.996 males per female, with 326.4 million males and 327.8 million females.\n\n## Urban\nAn urban area, built-up area or urban agglomeration is a human settlement with a high population density and an infrastructure of built environment.\nUrban areas originate through urbanization, and researchers categorize them as cities, towns, conurbations or suburbs.\nThe 20 largest metropolitan areas within ASEAN are as follows.\n\n# The ASEAN Way\nThe \"ASEAN Way\" refers to a methodology or approach to solving issues that respect Southeast Asia's cultural norms.\nMasilamani and Peterson summarise it as \"a working process or style that is informal and personal. Policymakers constantly utilise compromise, consensus, and consultation in the informal decision-making process... it above all prioritises a consensus-based, non-conflictual way of addressing problems. Quiet diplomacy allows ASEAN leaders to communicate without bringing the discussions into the public view. Members avoid the embarrassment that may lead to further conflict.\"\nIt has been said that the merits of the ASEAN Way might \"be usefully applied to global conflict management\".\nHowever, critics have argued that such an approach can be only applied to Asian countries, to specific cultural norms and understandings notably, due to a difference in mindset and level of tension.\nCritics object, claiming that the ASEAN Way's emphasis on consultation, consensus, and non-interference forces the organization to adopt only those policies which satisfy the lowest common denominator.\nDecision-making by consensus requires members to see eye-to-eye before ASEAN can move forward on an issue.\nMembers may not have a common conception of the meaning of the ASEAN Way.\nMyanmar, Cambodia, and Laos emphasize non-interference while older member countries focus on co-operation and co-ordination.\nThese differences hinder efforts to find common solutions to particular issues, but also make it difficult to determine when collective action is appropriate in a given situation.\n\n# Structure\nBeginning in 1997, heads of each member state adopted the ASEAN Vision 2020 during the group's 30th anniversary meeting held in [Kuala Lumpur](https://bliptext.com/articles/kuala-lumpur).\nAs a means for the realization of a single ASEAN community, this vision provides provisions on peace and stability, a nuclear-free region, closer economic integration, human development, sustainable development, cultural heritage, being a drug-free region, environment among others.\nThe vision also aimed to \"see an outward-looking ASEAN playing a pivotal role in the international fora, and advancing ASEAN's common interests\".\nASEAN Vision 2020 was formalized and made comprehensive through the Bali Concord II in 2003.\nThree major pillars of a single ASEAN community were established: Political-Security Community (APSC), Economic Community (AEC) and Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC).\nTo fully embody the three pillars as part of the 2015 integration, blueprints for APSC and ASCC were subsequently adopted in 2009 in [Cha-am](https://bliptext.com/articles/cha-am), Thailand.\nThe ASEAN Community, initially planned to commence by 2020, was accelerated to begin by 31 December 2015.\nIt was decided during the 12th ASEAN Summit in [Cebu](https://bliptext.com/articles/cebu) in 2007.\n\n\n## AEC Blueprint\nThe AEC aims to \"implement economic integration initiatives\" to create a single market for member states.\nThe blueprint that serves as a comprehensive guide for the establishment of the community was adopted on 20 November 2007 at the 13th ASEAN Summit in Singapore.\nIts characteristics include a single market and production base, a highly competitive economic region, a region of fair economic development, and a region fully integrated into the global economy.\nThe areas of cooperation include human resources development, recognition of professional qualifications, closer consultation economic policies, enhanced infrastructure and communications connectivity, integrating industries for regional sourcing, and strengthening private sector involvement.\nThrough the free movement of skilled labor, goods, services and investment, ASEAN would rise globally as one market, thus increasing its competitiveness and opportunities for development.\n# [ASEAN leaders sign the declaration of the ASEAN Economic Community during the 27th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, 2015. | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f4/KL///Declaration///Signing///11.22.15.jpg]\n\n## APSC Blueprint\nDuring the 14th ASEAN Summit, the group adopted the APSC Blueprint.\nThis document is aimed at creating a robust political-security environment within ASEAN, with programs and activities outlined to establish the APSC by 2016.\nIt is based on the ASEAN Charter, the ASEAN Security Community Plan of Action, and the Vientiane Action Program.\nThe APSC aims to create a sense of responsibility toward comprehensive security and a dynamic, outward-looking region in an increasingly integrated and interdependent world.\nThe ASEAN Defense Industry Collaboration (ADIC) was proposed at the 4th ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) on 11 May 2010 in [Hanoi](https://bliptext.com/articles/hanoi).\nIt has the purpose, among others, to reduce defense imports from non-ASEAN countries by half and to further develop the defense industry in the region.\nIt was formally adopted on the next ADMM on 19 May 2011, in Jakarta, Indonesia.\nThe main focus is to industrially and technologically boost the security capability of ASEAN, consistent with the principles of flexibility and non-binding and voluntary participation among the member states.\nThe concept revolves around education and capability-building programs to develop the skills and capabilities of the workforce, production of capital for defense products, and the provision of numerous services to address the security needs of each member state.\nIt also aims to develop an intra-ASEAN defense trade.\nADIC aims to establish a strong defense industry relying on the local capabilities of each member state and limit annual procurement from external original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).\nCountries like the US, Germany, Russia, France, Italy, UK, China, South Korea, Israel, and the Netherlands are among the major suppliers to ASEAN.\nASEAN defense budget rose by 147% from 2004 to 2013 and is expected to rise further in the future.\nFactors affecting the increase include economic growth, ageing equipment, and the plan to strengthen the establishment of the defense industry.\nASEANAPOL is also established to enhance cooperation on law enforcement and crime control among police forces of member states.\n\n## ASCC Blueprint\nThe ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) was also adopted during the 14th ASEAN Summit.\nIt envisions an \"ASEAN Community that is people-centered and socially responsible with a view to achieving enduring solidarity and unity among the countries and peoples of ASEAN by forging a common identity and building a caring and sharing society which is inclusive and harmonious where the well-being, livelihood, and welfare of the peoples are enhanced\".\nAmong its focus areas include human development, social welfare and protection, social justice and rights, environmental sustainability, building the ASEAN identity, and narrowing the development gap.\nTo track the progress of the AEC, a compliance tool called the AEC Scorecard was developed based on the EU Internal Market Scorecard.\nIt is the only one in effect and is expected to serve as an unbiased assessment tool to measure the extent of integration and the economic health of the region.\nIt is expected to provide relevant information about regional priorities, and thus foster productive, inclusive, and sustainable growth.\nIt makes it possible to monitor the implementation of ASEAN agreements, and the achievement of milestones indicated in the AEC Strategic Schedule.\nThe scorecard outlines specific actions that must be undertaken collectively and individually to establish AEC by 2015.\nTo date, two official scorecards have been published, one in 2010, and the other in 2012.\nHowever, the scorecard is purely quantitative, as it only examines whether a member state has performed the AEC task or not.\nThe more \"yes\" answers, the higher the score.\n\n\n### APAEC blueprint\nPart of the work towards the ASEAN Economic Community is the integration of the energy systems of the ASEAN member states.\nThe blueprint for this integration is provided by the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC).\nAPAEC is managed by the ASEAN Center for Energy.\n\n### 2020 ASEAN Banking Integration Framework\nAs trade is liberalized with the integration in 2015, the need arises for ASEAN banking institutions to accommodate and expand their services to an intra-ASEAN market.\nExperts, however, have already forecast a shaky economic transition, especially for smaller players in the banking and financial services industry.\nTwo separate reports by [Standard & Poor's](https://bliptext.com/articles/standard-poor-s) (S&P) outline the challenges that ASEAN financial institutions face as they prepare for the 2020 banking integration.\nThe reports point out that overcrowded banking sector in the Philippines is expected to feel the most pressure as the integration welcomes tighter competition with bigger and more established foreign banks.\nAs a result, there needs to be a regional expansion by countries with a small banking sector to lessen the impact of the post-integration environment.\nIn a follow-up report, S&P recently cited the Philippines for \"shoring up its network bases and building up capital ahead of the banking integration – playing defense and strengthening their domestic networks\".\n\n### Financial integration roadmap\nThe roadmap for financial integration is the latest regional initiative that aims to strengthen local self-help and support mechanisms.\nThe roadmap's implementation would contribute to the realization of the AEC.\nAdoption of a common currency, when conditions are ripe, could be the final stage of the AEC.\nThe roadmap identifies approaches and milestones in capital market development, capital account and financial services liberalization, and ASEAN currency cooperation.\nCapital market development entails promoting institutional capacity as well as the facilitation of greater cross-border collaboration, linkages, and harmonization between capital markets.\nOrderly capital account liberalization would be promoted with adequate safeguards against volatility and systemic risks.\nTo expedite the process of financial services liberalization, ASEAN has agreed on a positive list modality and adopted milestones to facilitate negotiations.\nCurrency cooperation would involve the exploration of possible currency arrangements, including an ASEAN currency payment system for trade in local goods to reduce the demand for US dollars and to help promote stability of regional currencies, such as by settling intra-ASEAN trade using regional currencies.\n\n\n### Food security\nMember states recognize the importance of strengthening [food security](https://bliptext.com/articles/food-security) to maintain stability and prosperity in the region.\nAs ASEAN moves towards AEC and beyond, food security would be an integral part of the community-building agenda.\nStrengthened food security is even more relevant in light of potentially severe risks from climate change with agriculture and fisheries being the most affected industries.\nPart of the aim of ASEAN integration is to achieve food security collectively via [trade](https://bliptext.com/articles/trade) in rice and maize.\n[Trade facilitation](https://bliptext.com/articles/trade-facilitation) measures and the harmonization/equivalency of food regulation and control standards would reduce the cost of trade in food products.\nWhile specialization and revealed comparative and competitive indices point to complementarities between trade patterns among the member states, intra-ASEAN trade in agriculture is quite small, something that integration could address.\nThe MARKET project would provide flexible and demand-driven support to the ASEAN Secretariat while bringing more private-sector and civil-society input into regional agriculture policy dialogue.\nBy building an environment that reduces barriers to trade, ASEAN trade would increase, thereby decreasing the risk of food price crisis.\n\n# Economy\nThe group sought economic integration by creating the AEC by the end of 2015 that established a [single market](https://bliptext.com/articles/single-market).\nThe average economic growth of member states from 1989 to 2009 was between 3.8% and 7%.\nThis was greater than the average growth of APEC, which was 2.8%.\nThe ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA), established on 28 January 1992, includes a Common Effective Preferential Tariff (CEPT) to promote the free flow of goods between member states.\nASEAN had only six members when it was signed.\nThe new member states (Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia) have not fully met AFTA's obligations, but are officially considered part of the agreement as they were required to sign it upon entry into ASEAN, and were given longer time frames to meet AFTA's tariff reduction obligations.\nThe next steps are to create a single market and production base, a competitive economic region, a region of equitable economic development, and a region that is fully integrated into the global economy.\nSince 2007, ASEAN countries have gradually lowered their import duties to member states, with a target of zero import duties by 2016.\nASEAN countries have many economic zones (industrial parks, eco-industrial parks, special economic zones, technology parks, and innovation districts) (see reference for comprehensive list from 2015).\nIn 2018, eight of the ASEAN members are among the world's outperforming economies, with positive long-term prospect for the region.\nASEAN's Secretariat projects that the regional body will grow to become the world's fourth largest economy by 2030.\nThe ASEAN Centre for Energy publishes the ASEAN Energy Outlook every five years, analysing and promoting the integration of national energy systems across the region.\nThe sixth edition was published in 2020.\n\n## Internal market\nASEAN planned to establish a single market based upon the [four freedoms](https://bliptext.com/articles/four-freedoms-european-union) by the end of 2015, with the goal of ensuring free flow of goods, services, skilled labour, and capital.\nThe ASEAN Economic Community was formed in 2015, but the group deferred about 20% of the harmonization provisions needed to create a [common market](https://bliptext.com/articles/common-market) and set a new deadline of 2025.\nUntil the end of 2010, intra-ASEAN trade was still low as trade involved mainly exports to countries outside the region, with the exception of Laos and Myanmar, whose foreign trade was ASEAN-oriented.\nIn 2009, realised [foreign direct investment](https://bliptext.com/articles/foreign-direct-investment) (FDI) was US$37.9 billion and increased two-fold in 2010 to US$75.8 billion.\n22% of FDI came from the [European Union](https://bliptext.com/articles/european-union), followed by ASEAN countries (16%), and by Japan and the United States.\nThe ASEAN Framework Agreement on Trade in Services (AFAS) was adopted at the ASEAN Summit in Bangkok in December 1995.\nUnder the agreement, member states enter into successive rounds of negotiations to liberalise trade in services with the aim of submitting increasingly higher levels of commitment.\nASEAN has concluded seven packages of commitments under AFAS.\nMutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) have been agreed upon by ASEAN for eight professions: physicians, dentists, nurses, architects, engineers, accountants, surveyors, and tourism professionals.\nIndividuals in these professions will be free to work in any ASEAN states effective 31 December 2015.\nIn addition, six member states ([Malaysia](https://bliptext.com/articles/malaysia), [Vietnam](https://bliptext.com/articles/vietnam) (2 exchanges), [Indonesia](https://bliptext.com/articles/indonesia), [Philippines](https://bliptext.com/articles/philippines), [Thailand](https://bliptext.com/articles/thailand), and [Singapore](https://bliptext.com/articles/singapore)) have collaborated on integrating their stock exchanges, which includes 70% of its transaction values with the goal to compete with international exchanges.\nSingle market will also include the [ASEAN Single Aviation Market](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-single-aviation-market) (ASEAN-SAM), the region's aviation policy geared towards the development of a [unified and single aviation market](https://bliptext.com/articles/open-skies) in [Southeast Asia](https://bliptext.com/articles/southeast-asia).\nIt was proposed by the ASEAN Air Transport Working Group, supported by the ASEAN Senior Transport Officials Meeting, and endorsed by the ASEAN Transport Ministers.\nIt is expected to liberalise air travel between member states allowing ASEAN airlines to benefit directly from the growth in air travel, and also free up tourism, trade, investment, and service flows.\nSince 1 December 2008, restrictions on the third and fourth [freedoms of the air](https://bliptext.com/articles/freedoms-of-the-air) between capital cities of member states for air passenger services have been removed, while from 1 January 2009, full liberalisation of air freight services in the region took effect.\nOn 1 January 2011, full liberalisation on fifth freedom traffic rights between all capital cities took effect.\nThis policy supersedes existing unilateral, bilateral, and multilateral air services agreements among member states which are inconsistent with its provisions.\n\n## Monetary union\nThe concept of an [Asian Currency Unit](https://bliptext.com/articles/asian-currency-unit) (ACU) started in the middle of the 1990s, prior to the [1997 Asian financial crisis](https://bliptext.com/articles/1997-asian-financial-crisis).\nIt is a proposed basket of Asian currencies, similar to the [Euro](https://bliptext.com/articles/euro)pean Currency Unit, which was the precursor of the [Euro](https://bliptext.com/articles/euro).\nThe [Asian Development Bank](https://bliptext.com/articles/asian-development-bank) is responsible for exploring the feasibility and construction of the basket.\nSince the ACU is being considered to be a precursor to a common currency, it has a dynamic outlook of the region.\nThe overall goal of a common currency is to contribute to the financial stability of a regional economy, including price stability.\nIt means lower cost of cross-border business through the elimination of currency risk.\nGreater flows of intra-trade would put pressure on prices, resulting in cheaper goods and services.\nIndividuals benefit not only from the lowering of prices, they save by not having to change money when travelling, by being able to compare prices more readily, and by the reduced cost of transferring money across borders.\nHowever, there are conditions for a common currency: the intensity of intra-regional trade and the convergence of [macroeconomic](https://bliptext.com/articles/macroeconomics) conditions.\nSubstantial intra-ASEAN trade (which is growing, partly as a result of the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) and the ASEAN Economic Community.) and economic integration is an incentive for a monetary union.\nMember states currently trade more with other countries (80%) than among themselves (20%).\nTherefore, their economies are more concerned about currency stability against major international currencies, like the US dollar.\nOn macroeconomic conditions, member states have different levels of economic development, capacity, and priorities that translate into different levels of interest and readiness.\nMonetary integration, however, implies less control over national monetary and fiscal policy to stimulate the economy.\nTherefore, greater convergence in macroeconomic conditions is being enacted to improve conditions and confidence in a common currency.\nOther concerns include weaknesses in the financial sectors, inadequacy of regional-level resource pooling mechanisms and institutions required to form and manage a currency union, and lack of political preconditions for monetary co-operation and a common currency.\n\n## Free trade\nIn 1992, the Common Effective Preferential Tariff (CEPT) scheme was adopted as a schedule for phasing out tariffs to increase the \"region's competitive advantage as a production base geared for the world market\".\nThis law would act as the framework for the [ASEAN Free Trade Area](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-free-trade-area) (AFTA), which is an agreement by member states concerning local manufacturing in ASEAN.\nIt was signed on 28 January 1992 in Singapore.\nFree trade initiatives in ASEAN are spearheaded by the implementation of the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) and the Agreement on Customs.\nThese agreements are supported by several sector bodies to plan and to execute free trade measures, guided by the provisions and the requirements of ATIGA and the Agreement on Customs.\nThey form a backbone for achieving targets of the AEC Blueprint and establishing the ASEAN Economic Community by the end of 2015.\nOn 26 August 2007, ASEAN stated its aim of completing free trade agreements (FTA) with China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, and New Zealand by 2013, which is in line with the start of the ASEAN Economic Community by 2015.\nIn November 2007, ASEAN states signed the ASEAN Charter, a constitution governing relations among member states and establishing the group itself as an international legal entity.\nDuring the same year, the [Cebu Declaration on East Asian Energy Security](https://bliptext.com/articles/cebu-declaration-on-east-asian-energy-security) was signed by ASEAN and the other members of the [EAS](https://bliptext.com/articles/east-asian-summit) (Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea), which pursues [energy security](https://bliptext.com/articles/energy-security) by finding [energy alternatives](https://bliptext.com/articles/renewable) to [fossil fuels](https://bliptext.com/articles/fossil-fuels).\nOn 27 February 2009, an FTA with [Australia](https://bliptext.com/articles/australia) and [New Zealand](https://bliptext.com/articles/new-zealand) was signed.\nIt is believed that this FTA would boost combined GDP across the 12 countries by more than US$48 billion over the period between 2000 and 2020.\nThe agreement with China created the [ASEAN–China Free Trade Area](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-china-free-trade-area) (ACFTA), which went into full effect on 1 January 2010.\nIn addition, ASEAN was noted to be negotiating an FTA with the [European Union](https://bliptext.com/articles/european-union).\nBilateral trade with India crossed the US$70 billion target in 2012 (target was to reach the level by 2015).\nTaiwan has also expressed interest in an agreement with ASEAN but needs to overcome diplomatic objections from China.\nASEAN, together with its six major trading partners (Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea), began the first round of negotiations on 26–28 February 2013, in Bali, Indonesia on the establishment of [the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)](https://bliptext.com/articles/regional-comprehensive-economic-partnership), which is an extension of ASEAN Plus Three and Six that covers 45% of the world's population and about a third of the world's total GDP.\nIn 2019, [Reuters](https://bliptext.com/articles/reuters) highlighted a mechanism used by traders to avoid the 70% tariff on [ethanol](https://bliptext.com/articles/ethanol) imported into China from the United States, involving importing the fuel into Malaysia, mixing it with at least 40% ASEAN-produced fuel, and re-exporting it to China tariff-free under ACFTA rules.\n# [{{Legend|#fd1813ff|ASEAN}}{{Legend|#124295ff|Countries with which ASEAN has free trade agreements|undefined | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f5/Map///of///countries///with///which///ASEAN///has///free///trade///agreements.svg]\n\n## Electricity trade\nCross-border electricity trade in ASEAN has been limited, despite efforts since 1997 to establish an [ASEAN Power Grid](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-power-grid) and associated trade.\nElectricity trade accounts for only about 5% of the generation, whereas trades in coal and gas are 86% and 53% respectively.\n\n## Tourism\nWith the institutionalisation of visa-free travel between ASEAN member states, intra-ASEAN travel has escalated.\nIn 2010, 47% or 34 million out of 73 million tourists in ASEAN member-states were from other ASEAN countries.\nCooperation in tourism was formalised in 1976, following the formation of the Sub-Committee on Tourism (SCOT) under the ASEAN Committee on Trade and Tourism.\nThe 1st ASEAN Tourism Forum was held on 18–26 October 1981 in [Kuala Lumpur](https://bliptext.com/articles/kuala-lumpur).\nIn 1986, ASEAN Promotional Chapters for Tourism (APCT) were established in Hong Kong, West Germany, the United Kingdom, Australia/New Zealand, Japan, and North America.\nTourism has been one of the key growth sectors in ASEAN and has proven resilient amid global economic challenges.\nThe wide array of tourist attractions across the region drew 109 million tourists to ASEAN in 2015, up by 34% compared to 81 million tourists in 2011.\nAs of 2012, tourism was estimated to account for 4.6% of ASEAN GDP—10.9% when taking into account all indirect contributions.\nIt directly employed 9.3 million people, or 3.2% of total employment, and indirectly supported some 25 million jobs.\nIn addition, the sector accounted for an estimated 8% of total capital investment in the region.\nIn January 2012, ASEAN tourism ministers called for the development of a marketing strategy.\nThe strategy represents the consensus of ASEAN National Tourism Organisations (NTOs) on marketing directions for ASEAN moving forward to 2015.\nIn the 2013 Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index (TTCI) report, Singapore placed 1st, Malaysia placed 8th, Thailand placed 9th, Indonesia placed 12th, Brunei placed 13th, Vietnam placed 16th, Philippines placed 17th, and Cambodia placed 20th as the top destinations of travellers in the Asia Pacific region.\n1981 The ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) was established.\nIt is a regional meeting of NGOs, Ministers, sellers, buyers and journalists to promote the ASEAN countries as a single one tourist destination.\nThe annual event 2019 in Ha Long marks the 38th anniversary and involves all the tourism industry sectors of the 10 member states of ASEAN: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.\nIt was organized by TTG Events from Singapore.\n\n## Cooperation funds\nThe establishment of the [China-ASEAN Investment Cooperation Fund](https://bliptext.com/articles/china-asean-investment-cooperation-fund) was announced in 2009 by Chinese Premier [Wen Jiabao](https://bliptext.com/articles/wen-jiabao) began operations in 2010.\nThe fund, which is sponsored by the [Export-Import Bank of China](https://bliptext.com/articles/export-import-bank-of-china), among other institutional investors, became the first Southeast Asia-focused private equity fund approved by China's [State Council](https://bliptext.com/articles/state-council-of-the-people-s-republic-of-china) and the National Development and Reform Commission.\nThe [Export-Import Bank of China](https://bliptext.com/articles/export-import-bank-of-china) is the \"anchor sponsor\" with a \"seed investment\" of US$300 million.\nThree other Chinese institutions invested a combined US$500 million.\nThe [International Finance Corporation](https://bliptext.com/articles/international-finance-corporation) of the [World Bank](https://bliptext.com/articles/world-bank) invested US$100 million.\nIn November 2011, the China-ASEAN Maritime Cooperation fund was established.\nChina underwrote the fund, which is valued at RMB 3 billion.\n\n# Foreign relations\nASEAN maintains a global network of alliances, dialogue partners and diplomatic missions, and is involved in numerous international affairs.\nThe organisation maintains good relationships on an international scale, particularly towards Asia-Pacific nations, and upholds itself as a neutral party in politics.\nIt holds [ASEAN Summits](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-summit), where [heads of government](https://bliptext.com/articles/head-of-government) of each member states meet to discuss and resolve regional issues, as well as to conduct other meetings with countries outside the bloc to promote external relations and deal with international affairs.\nThe first summit was held in [Bali](https://bliptext.com/articles/bali) in 1976.\nThe third summit was in [Manila](https://bliptext.com/articles/manila) in 1987, and during this meeting, it was decided that the leaders would meet every five years.\nThe fourth meeting was held in [Singapore](https://bliptext.com/articles/singapore) in 1992 where the leaders decided to meet more frequently, every three years.\nIn 2001, it was decided that the organisation will meet annually to address urgent issues affecting the region.\nIn December 2008, the ASEAN Charter came into force and with it, the ASEAN Summit will be held twice a year.\nThe formal summit meets for three days, and usually includes internal organisation meeting, a conference with foreign ministers of the ASEAN Regional Forum, an ASEAN Plus Three meeting and ASEAN-CER, a meeting of member states with Australia and New Zealand.\nASEAN is a major partner of the [Shanghai Cooperation Organisation](https://bliptext.com/articles/shanghai-cooperation-organisation), developing cooperation model with the organisation in the field of security, economy, finance, tourism, culture, environmental protection, development and sustainability.\nAdditionally, the grouping has been closely aligned with [China](https://bliptext.com/articles/china), cooperating across numerous areas, including economy, security, education, culture, technology, agriculture, human resource, society, development, investment, energy, transport, public health, tourism, media, environment, and sustainability.\nIt is also the linchpin in the foreign policy of Australia and New Zealand, with the three sides being integrated into an essential alliance.\nASEAN also participates in the [East Asia Summit](https://bliptext.com/articles/east-asia-summit) (EAS), a pan-Asian forum held annually by the leaders of eighteen countries in the [East Asian](https://bliptext.com/articles/east-asia) region, with ASEAN in a leadership position.\nInitially, membership included all member states of ASEAN plus China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, and New Zealand, but was expanded to include the United States and Russia at the Sixth EAS in 2011, as they were also important players having dominance and influence over the region.\nThe first summit was held in [Kuala Lumpur](https://bliptext.com/articles/kuala-lumpur) on 14 December 2005, and subsequent meetings have been held after the annual ASEAN Leaders' Meeting.\nThe summit has discussed issues including trade, [energy](https://bliptext.com/articles/energy), and security and the summit has a role in [regional community building](https://bliptext.com/articles/east-asia-community).\nOther meetings include the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting that focus mostly on specific topics, such as defence or the environment, and are attended by [ministers](https://bliptext.com/articles/minister-government).\nThe (ARF), which met for the first time in 1994, fosters dialogue and consultation, and to promote confidence-building and preventive diplomacy in the region.\nAs of July 2007, it consists of twenty-seven participants that include all ASEAN member states, Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, China, the EU, India, Japan, North and South Korea, Mongolia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Russia, East Timor, the United States, and Sri Lanka.\nTaiwan has been excluded since the establishment of the ARF, and issues regarding the Taiwan Strait are neither discussed at ARF meetings nor stated in the ARF Chairman's Statements.\nASEAN also holds meetings with Europe during the [Asia–Europe Meeting](https://bliptext.com/articles/asia-europe-meeting) (ASEM), an informal dialogue process initiated in 1996 with the intention of strengthening co-operation between the countries of Europe and Asia, especially members of the [European Union](https://bliptext.com/articles/european-union) and ASEAN in particular.\nASEAN, represented by its secretariat, is one of the forty-five ASEM partners.\nIt also appoints a representative to sit on the governing board of [Asia-Europe Foundation](https://bliptext.com/articles/asia-europe-foundation) (ASEF), a socio-cultural organisation associated with the meeting.\nAnnual bilateral meetings between ASEAN and India, Russia and the United States are also held.\nPrior to 2012, ASEAN foreign ministerial statements were not typically contentious.\nParticularly as international disagreements over the South China Sea increased, the wording of ASEAN foreign ministerial statements became more politically contended.\nFollowing the [2022 visit by United States Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan](https://bliptext.com/articles/2022-visit-by-nancy-pelosi-to-taiwan), ASEAN and individual member states reiterated their support of the [One China policy](https://bliptext.com/articles/one-china).\nOn 12 November 2022, Ukrainian Foreign Minister [Dmytro Kuleba](https://bliptext.com/articles/dmytro-kuleba) urged ASEAN countries to abandon their neutrality and condemn Russia's [invasion of Ukraine](https://bliptext.com/articles/2022-russian-invasion-of-ukraine).\n# [Royal Thai Embassy, Helsinki, flying its own national flag as well as ASEAN's flag | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ae/Asean///flag///flying///at///Royal///Thai///Embassy///Helsinki.jpg]\n# [Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte poses for a photo with the ASEAN foreign ministers during the 50th anniversary of the group's foundation on 8 August 2017. | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2d/ASEAN///50th///Anniversary.jpg]\n\n## Territorial disputes\n\n### South China Sea\nWith perceptions that there have been [multiple incursions](https://bliptext.com/articles/territorial-disputes-in-the-south-china-sea) into the [South China Sea](https://bliptext.com/articles/south-china-sea) by the PRC (China) and ROC (Taiwan), with land, islands and resources all having had previous overlapping claims between [Vietnam](https://bliptext.com/articles/vietnam), [Philippines](https://bliptext.com/articles/philippines), [Malaysia](https://bliptext.com/articles/malaysia), [Brunei](https://bliptext.com/articles/brunei), [Indonesia](https://bliptext.com/articles/indonesia), and various other countries, the PRC and ROC's claim into the region is seen as intrusive by many Southeast Asian countries as of 2022, potentially a reflection of the threat of [Chinese expansionism](https://bliptext.com/articles/chinese-expansionism) into the region.\nShortly after the conclusion of the [South China Sea Arbitration](https://bliptext.com/articles/south-china-sea-arbitration), at the 24 July 2016 China-ASEAN Foreign Ministers summit, China assured ASEAN that it would not conduct [land reclamation](https://bliptext.com/articles/land-reclamation-in-china) on the Scarborough Shoal.\nThe joint statement at the conclusion of the summit emphasized the implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and urged the parties to refrain from inhabiting currently unoccupied islands, reefs, shoals, cays, and other features.\nWithin ASEAN, [Cambodia](https://bliptext.com/articles/cambodia-china-relations) is often supportive of the PRC's positions, including on the South China Sea issue.\n\n### Bilateral\nThere have been [territorial disputes](https://bliptext.com/articles/territorial-dispute) between ASEAN member states such as the [Cambodian–Thai border dispute](https://bliptext.com/articles/cambodian-thai-border-dispute) between Cambodia and Thailand, [Cambodian–Vietnamese border dispute](https://bliptext.com/articles/cambodia-vietnam-relations) between Cambodia and Vietnam, and the [North Borneo dispute](https://bliptext.com/articles/north-borneo-dispute) between the Philippines and Malaysia.\nThe [Vietnamese invasion of Cambodia](https://bliptext.com/articles/vietnamese-invasion-of-cambodia) in 1978, backed by the Soviet Union, was not accepted by ASEAN.\nThey rejected it as a violation of the principles of regional integration.\nASEAN cooperated with US and Australia to oppose Vietnam's move and it sponsored a Cambodian resolution in the United Nations General Assembly.\nASEAN played a major role starting in 1980 in the peace process, leading to the 1991 Paris Agreement.\n\n## Relations with other blocs\n# [{{legend|#1743a6|ASEAN}}\n{{legend|#6330d5|ASEAN Plus Three}}\n{{legend|#0d675e|ASEAN Plus Six}} | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8e/ASEAN///with///Plus///3///and///Plus///6.png]\n\n### ASEAN Plus Three\nIn 1990, Malaysia proposed the creation of an [East Asia Economic Caucus](https://bliptext.com/articles/east-asia-economic-caucus) composed of the members of ASEAN, China, Japan, and South Korea.\nIt intended to counterbalance the growing US influence in [Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation](https://bliptext.com/articles/asia-pacific-economic-cooperation) (APEC) and Asia as a whole.\nHowever, the proposal failed because of strong opposition from the US and Japan.\nWork for further integration continued, and the [ASEAN Plus Three](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-plus-three), consisting of ASEAN, China, Japan, and South Korea, was created in 1997.\n[ASEAN Plus Three](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-plus-three) is a forum that functions as a coordinator of co-operation between the ASEAN and the three [East Asian](https://bliptext.com/articles/east-asia) nations of China, South Korea, and Japan.\nGovernment leaders, ministers, and senior officials from the ten members of the ASEAN and the three East Asian states consult on an increasing range of issues.\nThe ASEAN Plus Three is the latest development of Southeast Asia-East Asia regional co-operation.\nIn the past, proposals, such as South Korea's call for an Asian Common Market in 1970 and Japan's 1988 suggestion for an Asian Network, have been made to bring closer regional co-operation.\nThe first leaders' meetings were held in 1996, and 1997 to deal with [Asia–Europe Meeting](https://bliptext.com/articles/asia-europe-meeting) issues, and China and Japan each wanted regular summit meetings with ASEAN members afterwards.\nThe group's significance and importance were strengthened by the [Asian Financial Crisis](https://bliptext.com/articles/asian-financial-crisis).\nIn response to the crisis, ASEAN closely cooperated with China, South Korea, and Japan.\nSince the implementation of the Joint Statement on East Asia Cooperation in 1999 at the Manila Summit, ASEAN Plus Three finance ministers have been holding periodic consultations.\nASEAN Plus Three, in establishing the [Chiang Mai Initiative](https://bliptext.com/articles/chiang-mai-initiative), has been credited as forming the basis for financial stability in Asia, the lack of such stability having contributed to the Asian Financial Crisis.\nSince the process began in 1997, ASEAN Plus Three has also focused on subjects other than finance such as the areas of food and energy security, financial co-operation, trade facilitation, disaster management, people-to-people contacts, narrowing the development gap, rural development, and poverty alleviation, human trafficking, labour movement, communicable diseases, environment and sustainable development, and [transnational crime](https://bliptext.com/articles/transnational-crime), including counter-terrorism.\nWith the aim of further strengthening the nations' co-operation, East Asia Vision Group (EAVG) II was established at the 13th ASEAN Plus Three Summit on 29 October 2010 in [Hanoi](https://bliptext.com/articles/hanoi) to stock-take, review, and identify the future direction of the co-operation.\nThe ASEAN Plus Three framework also serves as a platform for the ASEAN affiliated intergovernmental organizations in China, Korea, and Japan to meet and cooperate.\nThe [ASEAN-China Centre](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-china-centre), the [ASEAN-Japan Centre](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-japan-centre), and [ASEAN-Korea Centre](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-korea-centre) currently convene annually to discuss ongoing projects and to discuss possible areas of cooperation vis-a-vis ASEAN.\n\n### ASEAN Plus Six\nASEAN Plus Three was the first of attempts for further integration to improve existing ties of Southeast Asia with [East Asian](https://bliptext.com/articles/east-asia) countries of China, Japan and South Korea.\nThis was followed by the even larger [East Asia Summit](https://bliptext.com/articles/east-asia-summit) (EAS), which included ASEAN Plus Three as well as India, Australia, and New Zealand.\nThis group acted as a prerequisite for the planned [East Asia Community](https://bliptext.com/articles/east-asia-community) which was supposedly patterned after the [European Community](https://bliptext.com/articles/european-community) (now transformed into the [European Union](https://bliptext.com/articles/european-union)).\nThe [ASEAN Eminent Persons Group](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-eminent-persons-group) was created to study this policy's possible successes and failures.\nThe group became ASEAN Plus Six with Australia, New Zealand, and India, and stands as the linchpin of [Asia Pacific](https://bliptext.com/articles/asia-pacific)'s economic, political, security, socio-cultural architecture, as well as the global economy.\nCodification of the relations between these countries has seen progress through the development of the [Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership](https://bliptext.com/articles/regional-comprehensive-economic-partnership), a free-trade agreement involving the 15 countries of ASEAN Plus Six (excluding India).\nRCEP would, in part, allow the members to protect local sectors and give more time to comply with the aim for developed country members.\n[India](https://bliptext.com/articles/india) temporarily does not join the RCEP for the protection of its own market, but Japan, China, and ASEAN welcomes [India](https://bliptext.com/articles/india)'s participation.\n[Taiwan](https://bliptext.com/articles/taiwan) has been excluded from participating with the organization owing to China's influence on the [Asia Pacific](https://bliptext.com/articles/asia-pacific) through its economic and diplomatic influence.\n\n# Environment\nAt the turn of the 21st century, ASEAN began to discuss environmental agreements.\nThese included the signing of the [ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-agreement-on-transboundary-haze-pollution) in 2002 as an attempt to control haze pollution in Southeast Asia, arguably the region's most high-profile environmental issue.\nUnfortunately, this was unsuccessful due to the outbreaks of haze in [2005](https://bliptext.com/articles/2005-malaysian-haze), [2006](https://bliptext.com/articles/2006-southeast-asian-haze), [2009](https://bliptext.com/articles/2009-southeast-asian-haze), [2013](https://bliptext.com/articles/2013-southeast-asian-haze), and [2015](https://bliptext.com/articles/2015-southeast-asian-haze).\nAs of 2015, thirteen years after signing the [ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-agreement-on-transboundary-haze-pollution), the situation with respect to the long term issue of [Southeast Asian haze](https://bliptext.com/articles/southeast-asian-haze) had not changed for 50% of the ASEAN member states, and still remained as a crisis every two years during summer and fall.\nTrash dumping from foreign countries (such as Japan and Canada) to ASEAN has yet to be discussed and resolved.\nImportant issues include [deforestation](https://bliptext.com/articles/deforestation) (with Indonesia recorded the largest loss of forest in the region, more than other member states combined in the 2001–2013 period ), plastic waste dumping (5 member states were among the top 10 out of 192 countries based on 2010 data, with Indonesia ranked as second worst polluter ), threatened mammal species (Indonesia ranked the worst in the region with 184 species under threat ), threatened fish species (Indonesia ranked the worst in the region ), threatened (higher) plant species (Malaysia ranked the worst in the region ).\nASEAN's aggregate economy is one of the fastest growing in the world.\nIt is expected to grow by 4.6% in 2019, and 4.8% in 2020, but at the cost of the release about 1.5 billion tonnes of [CO2](https://bliptext.com/articles/carbon-dioxide) to the atmosphere every year.\nThat makes ASEAN a greater source of [greenhouse gas emissions](https://bliptext.com/articles/greenhouse-gas-emissions) than Japan (1.3 billion tonnes per year) or Germany (796 million tonnes per year).\nIt is the only region in the world where coal is expected to increase its share of the [energy mix](https://bliptext.com/articles/energy-mix).\nAccording to the [International Energy Agency](https://bliptext.com/articles/international-energy-agency) (IEA), \"Since 2000 [ASEAN's] overall energy demand has grown by more than 80% and the lion's share of this growth has been met by a doubling in [fossil fuel](https://bliptext.com/articles/fossil-fuel) use,... Oil is the largest element in the regional energy mix and coal, largely for power generation, has been the fastest growing.\"\nASEAN has been criticized for not doing enough to [mitigate climate change](https://bliptext.com/articles/climate-change-mitigation) although it is the world's most vulnerable region in terms of [climate impact](https://bliptext.com/articles/climate-change-in-southeast-asia).\nASEAN has many opportunities for [renewable energy](https://bliptext.com/articles/renewable-energy).\nWith [solar](https://bliptext.com/articles/solar-power) and [wind power](https://bliptext.com/articles/wind-power) plus off river pumped hydro storage, ASEAN electricity industry could achieve very high penetration (78%–97%) of domestic [solar](https://bliptext.com/articles/solar-power) and wind energy resources at a competitive levelised costs of electricity range from 55 to 115 U.S. dollars per megawatt-hour based on 2020 technology costs.\nVietnam's experience in solar and wind power development provides relevant implications for the other ASEAN countries.\nThe proposed [ASEAN Power Grid](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-power-grid) could allow for renewable energy transmission from large producers like [Vietnam](https://bliptext.com/articles/vietnam) to others within ASEAN.\n# [Haze over Borneo, 2006 | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/58/Borneo///fires///October///2006.jpg]\n# [Greenhouse gas emissions per capita of different ASEAN countries. | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/22/Asean-co2-emissions-per-capita.png]\n# [Solar irradiance map of South and Southeast Asia, showing the high potential of solar power in ASEAN. | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/23/SolarGIS-Solar-map-South-And-South-East-Asia-en.png]\n\n# Energy transition\nThe ASEAN has initiated its transition to cleaner energy sources.\nThis transition is characterized as Demanding, Doable, and Dependent.\nWith approximately 679 million inhabitants, the region is witnessing a substantial surge in energy demand, projected to triple by 2050.\nHowever, transitioning energy sources requires significant resources.\nSoutheast Asia would need to invest USD 27 billion annually in renewable energy to achieve the target of 23% renewables in the primary energy supply by 2025.\nNevertheless, this goal is attainable with the implementation of appropriate policies.\nVietnam serves as a compelling example of rapid adoption of solar and wind energy.\nSince 2019, Vietnam has emerged as a regional leader, with solar and wind energy accounting for 13% of its electricity mix in 2022, a remarkable increase from nearly zero in 2017.\nThe region requires international assistance to meet its net-zero emission targets.\nPhasing out coal remains a daunting task, although countries such as Indonesia and Vietnam have pledged to phasing out coal power by 2040s.\nSeveral high profile leaders such as the head of the Indonesian national energy company [PLN](https://bliptext.com/articles/perusahaan-listrik-negara), [Darmawan Prasodjo](https://bliptext.com/articles/darmawan-prasodjo), have stated that the [ASEAN Power Grid](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-power-grid) proposal is key to unlocking the potential for green energy in southeast Asia.\n# [Key features of energy transition in Southeast Asia | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f9/Key///features///of///energy///transition///in///Southeast///Asia.png]\n\n# Education\nTo enhance the region's status in education, ASEAN education ministers have agreed four priorities for education at all levels, promoting ASEAN awareness among ASEAN citizens, particularly youth, strengthening ASEAN identity through education, building ASEAN human resources in the field of education strengthening the [ASEAN University Network](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-university-network).\nAt the 11th ASEAN Summit in December 2005, leaders set new direction for regional education collaboration when they welcomed the decision of the ASEAN education ministers to convene meetings on a regular basis.\nThe annual ASEAN Education Ministers Meeting oversees co-operation efforts on education at the ministerial level.\nWith regard to implementation, programs, and activities are carried out by the ASEAN Senior Officials on Education (SOM-ED).\nSOM-ED also manages co-operation on [higher education](https://bliptext.com/articles/higher-education) through the [ASEAN University Network](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-university-network) (AUN).\nIt is a consortium of [Southeast Asian](https://bliptext.com/articles/southeast-asia) tertiary institutions of which 30 currently belong as participating universities.\nFounded in November 1995 by 11 universities, the AUN was established to: promote co-operation among ASEAN scholars, academics, and scientists, develop academic and professional human resources, promote information dissemination among the ASEAN academic community, enhance awareness of a regional identity and the sense of \"ASEAN-ness\" among member states.\nIn November 2011, ten vocational schools and centers were established in China to help develop human resources to assist in the economic and social development of the ASEAN countries.\nASEAN also has a [scholarship](https://bliptext.com/articles/scholarship) program offered by Singapore to the 9 other member states for secondary school, junior college, and university education.\nIt covers accommodation, food, medical benefits and accident insurance, school fees, and examination fees.\nIts recipients, who perform well on the [GCE Advanced Level](https://bliptext.com/articles/gce-advanced-level) Examination, may apply for ASEAN undergraduate scholarships, which are tailored specifically to undergraduate institutions in Singapore and other ASEAN member countries.\n'Australia for ASEAN' scholarships are also offered by the [Australian Government](https://bliptext.com/articles/australian-government) to the 'next generation of leaders' from ASEAN member states.\nBy undertaking a [Master's degree](https://bliptext.com/articles/master-s-degree), recipients are to develop the skills and knowledge to drive change, help build links with Australia, and also participate in the Indo-Pacific Emerging Leaders Program to help develop the ASEAN Outlook for the Indo-Pacific.\nEach ASEAN member state is able to receive ten 'Australia for ASEAN' scholarships.\n\n# Culture\nThe organization hosts cultural activities in an attempt to further integrate the region.\nThese include sports and educational activities as well as writing awards.\nExamples of these include the [ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-centre-for-biodiversity), [ASEAN Heritage Parks](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-heritage-parks) and the [ASEAN Outstanding Scientist and Technologist Award](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-outstanding-scientist-and-technologist-award).\nIn addition, the ASEAN region has been recognized as one of the world's most diverse regions ethnically, religiously and linguistically.\n\n## Media\nMember states have promoted co-operation in information to help build an ASEAN identity.\nOne of the main bodies in ASEAN co-operation in information is the ASEAN Committee on Culture and Information (COCI).\nEstablished in 1978, its mission is to promote effective co-operation in the fields of information, as well as culture, through its various projects and activities.\nIt includes representatives from national institutions like the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministries of Culture and Information, national radio and television networks, museums, archives and libraries, among others.\nTogether, they meet once a year to formulate and agree on projects to fulfil their mission.\nOn 14 November 2014, foreign ministers of member states launched the ASEAN Communication Master Plan (ACPM).\nIt provides a framework for communicating the character, structure, and overall vision of ASEAN and the ASEAN community to key audiences within the region and globally.\nASEAN Media Cooperation (AMC) sets digital television standards and policies in preparation for broadcasters to transition from analogue to digital broadcasting.\nThis collaboration was conceptualised during the 11th ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Information (AMRI) Conference in Malaysia on 1 March 2012 where a consensus declared that both new and traditional media were keys to connecting ASEAN peoples and bridging cultural gaps in the region.\nSeveral key initiatives under the AMC include:\n# [The flags of the ASEAN member states in Jakarta, Indonesia | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/59/ASEAN///Nations///Flags///in///Jakarta///3.jpg]\n\n### National public/state-owned radio and television networks of ASEAN\n\n## Music\nMusic plays a significant role in ASEAN affairs, as evidenced by the new music composed for, and to be performed at, the 34th ASEAN Summit in Bangkok in June 2019.\nSince ASEAN's founding, a number of songs have been written for the regional alliance:\n\n# Sports\nThe main sporting event of ASEAN is the Southeast Asian Games, a biennial meet of athletes from the ten member-states.\nA non-member state Timor-Leste (also known as East Timor) is now participating the SEA Games.\n\n## Games events\n\n## Championships events\n\n# Global influence and reception\nASEAN has been credited by many as among the world's most influential organisations and a global powerhouse.\nThe organisation plays a prominent role in regional and international diplomacy, politics, security, economy and trade.\nThe [ASEAN Free Trade Area](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-free-trade-area) also stands as one of the largest and most important free trade areas in the world, and together with its network of dialogue partners, drove some of the world's largest multilateral forums and blocs, including [APEC](https://bliptext.com/articles/asia-pacific-economic-cooperation), [EAS](https://bliptext.com/articles/east-asia-summit) and [RCEP](https://bliptext.com/articles/regional-comprehensive-economic-partnership).\nBeing one of the world's forefront political, economic and security meetings, the [ASEAN Summit](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-summit) serves as a prominent regional (Asia) and international (worldwide) conference, with world leaders attending its related summits and meetings to discuss about various problems and global issues, strengthening cooperation, and making decisions.\nCritics have charged ASEAN with weakly promoting human rights and democracy, particularly in junta-led Myanmar.\nSome scholars think that non-interference has hindered ASEAN efforts to handle the Myanmar issue, human rights abuse, and haze pollution in the area.\nDespite global outrage at the military crack-down on unarmed protesters in Yangon, ASEAN has refused to suspend Myanmar as a member and also rejects proposals for economic sanctions.\nThis has caused concern as the European Union has refused to conduct free trade negotiations at a regional level for these political reasons.\nDuring a UN vote against the ethnic cleansing of [Rohingya](https://bliptext.com/articles/rohingya), most member states voted to either abstain or against the condemnation.\nOnly the Muslim-majority countries Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei voted to condemn the cleansing of Rohingya.\nSome international observers view ASEAN as a \"talk shop\", stating that the organisation is: \"big on words, but small on action\".\n\"ASEAN policies have proven to be mostly rhetoric, rather than actual implementation\", according to Pokpong Lawansiri, a Bangkok-based independent analyst of ASEAN.\n\"It has been noted that less than 50% of ASEAN agreements are actually implemented, while ASEAN holds more than six hundred meetings annually\".\nThe head of the [International Institute of Strategic Studies](https://bliptext.com/articles/international-institute-of-strategic-studies), Tim Huxley, cites the diverse political systems present in the grouping, including many young states, as a barrier to far-reaching co-operation beyond economics.\nHe also asserts that, without an external threat to rally against after the [Cold War](https://bliptext.com/articles/cold-war) ended, ASEAN has less successfully restrained its members and resolved such border disputes as those between Myanmar and Thailand or Indonesia and Malaysia.\nDuring the 12th ASEAN Summit in [Cebu](https://bliptext.com/articles/metro-cebu), several activist groups staged [anti-globalisation](https://bliptext.com/articles/anti-globalisation) protests, arguing that the agenda of economic integration would negatively affect industries in the Philippines and would deprive thousands of Filipinos of their jobs.\nCorruption remains a widespread issue, as \"tea money\" remains an important requirement to grease business transactions and to receive public services.\nFollowing the release of the [Corruption Perceptions Index](https://bliptext.com/articles/corruption-perceptions-index) 2015 by Berlin-based graft watchdog Transparency International on 27 January, its Asia Pacific director, Srirak Plipat, noted that: \"if there was one common challenge to unite the Asia-Pacific region, it would be corruption\", noting that: \"from campaign pledges to media coverage to civil society forums, corruption dominates the discussion. Yet despite all this talk, there's little sign of action.\"\n\n## Economic integration\nThe group's integration plan has raised concerns, in particular, the 2015 deadline.\nBusiness and economy experts who attended the Lippo-UPH Dialogue in [Naypyidaw](https://bliptext.com/articles/naypyidaw) cited unresolved issues relating to aviation, agriculture, and human resources.\nSome panelists, among them, [Kishore Mahbubani](https://bliptext.com/articles/kishore-mahbubani), warned against high expectations at the onset.\nHe stated: \"Please do not expect a big bang event in 2015 where everything is going to happen overnight when the ASEAN Economic Community comes into being. We've made progress in some areas and unfortunately regressed in some areas.\"\nSome panelists enumerated other matters to be dealt with for a successful launch.\nAmong them were the communications issues involving the 600 million citizens living in the region, increasing understanding in business, current visa arrangements, demand for specific skills, banking connections, and economic differences.\nFormer Philippine [National Statistical Coordination Board](https://bliptext.com/articles/philippine-statistics-authority) (NSCB) Secretary General Romulo A. Virola, said in 2012 that the Philippines seems unready to benefit from the integration due to its \"wobbly\" economic performance compared to other member states.\nAccording to Virola, the Philippines continues to lag behind in terms of employment rate, tourism, life expectancy, and cellular subscriptions.\nNestor Tan, head of [BDO Unibank Inc.](https://bliptext.com/articles/bdo-unibank), said that while some businesses see the Asian Economic Blueprint (AEC) as an opportunity, the integration would be more of a threat to local firms.\nTan added that protecting the Philippines' agricultural and financial services sectors, as well as the labour sector, would be necessary for the implementation of AEC by 2015.\n[Standard & Poor's](https://bliptext.com/articles/standard-poor-s) also believed that banks in the Philippines are not yet prepared for the tougher competition that would result from the integration.\nIn one of its latest publications, S&P said banks in the country, although profitable and stable, operate on a much smaller scale than their counterparts in the region.\nThe [US Chamber of Commerce](https://bliptext.com/articles/us-chamber-of-commerce) has highlighted widespread concern that the much-anticipated AEC could not be launched by the 2015 deadline.\nIn January 2014, former ASEAN Secretary-General Rodolfo C. Severino, wrote: \"while ASEAN should not be condemned for its members' failure to make good on their commitments, any failure to deliver will likely lead to a loss of credibility and could mean that member states fall further behind in the global competition for export markets and [foreign direct investment](https://bliptext.com/articles/foreign-direct-investment) (FDI)\".\nIn 2012, the commencement of the AEC was postponed to 31 December 2015 from the original plan of 1 January.\nDespite Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan's firm reassurance that \"[t]here will be no more delays and that all ten ASEAN countries will participate\", even the most fervent proponents of AEC worried that AEC would not be delivered on time as December 2015 neared.\nAn article published by [Vietnam News](https://bliptext.com/articles/vietnam-news) echoed some of the challenges and opportunities that Vietnam faces in preparation for the AEC.\nThe article said that the deputy head of the [Ministry of Industry and Trade](https://bliptext.com/articles/ministry-of-industry-and-trade-vietnam), Tran Thanh Hai, was concerned about local enterprises' lack of knowledge of the AEC.\nIt was said that 80% of local enterprises surveyed acknowledged that they have little information about the interests and challenges available for them in the ASEAN market.\nThe article also noted that the general secretary of the Vietnam Steel Association, Chu Duc Khai, said that most of the local steel making enterprises lack information about doing business in the ASEAN market; they have not had a chance to study it, and have only exported small amounts of steel to ASEAN countries.\nAnother challenge is the need to compete with other countries in the ASEAN market to export raw products since the country had mainly exported raw products.\nThe [Asian Development Bank](https://bliptext.com/articles/asian-development-bank) also has doubts about Cambodia's ability to meet the AEC deadline.\nThe leading economist of ADB, Jayant Menon, said that Cambodia needs to speed up its customs reform and to press ahead with automating processes to reduce trade costs and minimise the opportunities for corruption and be ready for the implementation of its National Single Window by 2015.\nDespite an ASEAN Economic Community goal of significant economic integration as laid out in the AEC Blueprint 2025, ASEAN continues to face challenges towards integration.\nA report published by the Asian Trade Centre in 2019 identified multiple sectors that face challenges towards integration due to non-tariff barriers that still exist in the region.\nThe report stated that the goals of the AEC 2025 would not be accomplished if ASEAN fails to address the issues of non-tariff measures and eliminate non-tariff barriers in the region.\n\n# Security\nASEAN is recognized by its members to be one of the main forums to discuss security issues; based on the principles in its [charter](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-charter), its main aim is to provide an environment of common understanding and cooperation between the member states to \"respond effectively to all forms of threats, transitional crimes and transboundary challenges\".\nAccordingly, ASEAN has embraced the idea of cooperative security which means that ASEAN's approach to security issues is through confidence-building measures and transparency for reducing the tension and conflict between its members.\nSecurity policies and plans are concerted by the ASEAN Political-Security Community to envision \"a concert of Southeast Asian nations, outward looking, living in peace, stability and prosperity, bonded together in partnership in dynamic development and in a community of caring societies.\"\n\n## Piracy\n[Piracy in the strait of Malacca](https://bliptext.com/articles/piracy-in-the-strait-of-malacca) and in the Sulu and Celebes Sea is one of the main non-traditional security threats for the region, it has challenged the capacity of its members to ensure coordination of effective policy actions to reduce this phenomenon.\nAs highlighted by the [ReCAAP](https://bliptext.com/articles/recaap) report of 2020: \"The increase of incidents (in Asia) during January–June 2020 occurred in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, South China Sea and Singapore Strait.\"\nThe increment of incidents during 2020, have raised alerts in the region as the phenomenon of piracy could be fostered by the social consequences of the [COVID-19 pandemic](https://bliptext.com/articles/covid-19-pandemic), in their Fourteenth Asean Ministerial Meeting On Transnational Crime the ministers agreed that ASEAN should embrace a greater commitment to strengthen the measures in combating transnational crime in the context of the pandemic.\nDespite this statement, ASEAN has not updated their plans for combating piracy, although member states created and enforced the [Maritime Security Plan of Action 2018-2020](https://bliptext.com/articles/maritime-security-plan-of-action-2018-2020), to address the national legal enforcement capacities and creating a common protocol of action to counter piracy allowing the region to cooperate for ensuring the security of the Pacific Ocean, new discussions and agendas for new measures has not been enforced yet.\nAccordingly, this plan reinforces the necessity to secure the seas due to the importance of this region geographical and economically, its strategic position as the main link between the Indian and the Pacific Ocean and the region serving as the main passage that connects middle east economies and India with China, Japan, South Korea and Australia.\nThis plan is mainly focused in three priorities:\nIn this sense, spread all over the countries of Southeast Asia, criminal organizations with complex structures pose a challenge to ASEAN's coordination capacity to solve the problem despite the plans created within its institutional framework.\nAlthough some measures have been implemented by ASEAN, still the complexity of the problem requires deep solutions of cooperation that might alter the balance of its framework.\nThe maritime security plans for the region are based on the ASEAN idea of political-security community; the two main objectives of the APSC are: \"to accelerate the economic growth, social progress and cultural development by promoting an identity of equality and partnership as the main foundations of peace and prosperity\".\nAdditionally, the APSC promotes \"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\".\nNonetheless, the institutional framework and decision-making procedures in ASEAN make difficult to reach agreements on piracy.\nASEAN has struggled to deliver a coordinated response to solve this problem in the region mainly by two reasons: the first one, could be related to the focalized nature of the problem in subregions rather than the whole region.\nConsequently, this focalization generates that the discussions in the main forums (The ASEAN maritime forum (AMF) and Maritime Security Expert Working Group (MSEWG)) have not resulted in actual measures that tackle piracy and involve all member states as major consensus should be reached to enforce them.\nOne example of this, is the possibility discussed by the 10 ASEAN member states to create a joint ASEAN navy in 2015 to carry on operations in one of the piracy hotspots in the region, the strait of Malacca, this proposal ended up being enforced by bilateral/sub-regional efforts rather than in the ASEAN framework (see [ReCAAP](https://bliptext.com/articles/recaap) for further information).\nThe second one, consensus on non-traditional security issues has been difficult to reach due to contradictory interest between member states, particularly in joint operations between navies and the reach of these joint operations.\nThese issues are generated mainly by unresolved territorial disputes, specially in the maritime domain, at some extent they pose a challenge to ASEAN members in their capacity to cooperate in regards to the [maritime security](https://bliptext.com/articles/maritime-security) approach.\nConsequently, a greater multilateral cooperation has been pushed by the members to solve the piracy challenges on economy, trading and security.\nMembers of the ASEAN, have addressed the necessity for the regional organization to make some concessions and rearrangements to respond to the challenges that non-traditional security (specifically piracy) issues posse to the security of the ASEAN members.\nDespite the efforts and plans made by the ASEAN, this organization is expected to overcome the image of being regarded solely as a forum to discuss security issues.\nTwo possible solutions has been proposed by some member states for this purpose: 1.\nPromoting relationships with other major actors regionally to overcome the short-time challenges and 2.\nRearrange the institutional framework to \"avoid contention and seek cooperation to maximize the aggregate ability in order to benefit from making the sea fulfil its economic, security and other goals\".\n\n## Future Security Framework\nIn addition to CBT there are several significant issues facing ASEAN today, including human rights violations, repression, and democratic backsliding.\nAcross the region, various political leaders are known human rights abusers, however there is no proper accountability process, and often human rights violations are sidelined by economic or political interests.\nMyanmar is in the midst of a devastating civil war, during which the military government that was installed following a coup d’état, has carried out horrendous human rights violations against the Rohingya population.","wordIndex":13095,"createdAt":"2025-11-11T12:48:29.495Z","user":{"id":"DofAZDMBDd0EhyUC6hxd7e7NAUvFJ6WQ","name":"Steve Telly","image":"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/a/ACg8ocJoj12xQ5hiXTTBW7eC_Ws9KnHwoZkOOtyNPVfEzKGyTg7sGw=s96-c"}}],"article":{"id":"4f297497-4032-45b0-969a-a633c45e9230","title":"ASEAN","slug":"asean","content":":::summary\n**Subbox:** yes \n**Bodystyle:** font-size:77%;font-weight:normal; \n**Rowclass 1:** mergedrow \n**Label 1:** [Burmese](https://bliptext.com/articles/burmese-language): \n**Data 1:** အရှေ့တောင်အာရှနိုင်ငံများအသင်း aashaetaungaarsh ninenganmyarr aahpwal \n**Rowclass 2:** mergedrow \n**Label 2:** [Filipino](https://bliptext.com/articles/filipino-language): \n**Data 2:** Samahán ng mga Bansâ sa Timog Silangang Asya \n**Rowclass 4:** mergedrow \n**Label 4:** [Indonesian](https://bliptext.com/articles/indonesian-language): \n**Data 4:** Perhimpunan Bangsa-bangsa Asia Tenggara \n**Rowclass 5:** mergedrow \n**Label 5:** [Khmer](https://bliptext.com/articles/khmer-language): \n**Data 5:** សមាគមប្រជាជាតិអាស៊ីអាគ្នេយ៍ Samāgam Prajājāti ʿʹāsʹī ʿʹāgney ̊ \n**Rowclass 6:** mergedrow \n**Label 6:** [Lao](https://bliptext.com/articles/lao-language): \n**Data 6:** ສະມາຄົມປະຊາຊາດແຫ່ງອາຊີຕະເວັນອອກສຽງໃຕ້ samakhom pasasad aehng asi tauaen ksiang tai \n**Rowclass 7:** mergedrow \n**Label 7:** [Malay(sian)](https://bliptext.com/articles/malaysian-malay): \n**Data 7:** Persatuan Negara-negara Asia Tenggara \n**Rowclass 8:** mergedrow \n**Label 8:** [Mandarin](https://bliptext.com/articles/singaporean-mandarin): \n**Data 8:** 亚细安组织 · 东南亚国家联盟 · 東南亞國家協會 ''Yàxì'ān zǔzhī · Dōngnányà guójiā liánméng · Dōngnányà guójiā xiéhuì'' \n**Rowclass 9:** mergedrow \n**Label 9:** [Tamil](https://bliptext.com/articles/tamil-language): \n**Data 9:** தென்கிழக்காசிய நாடுகளின் கூட்டமைப்பு Teṉkiḻakkāciya nāṭukaḷiṉ kūṭṭamaippu \n**Rowclass 1 0:** mergedrow \n**Label 1 0:** [Thai](https://bliptext.com/articles/thai-language): \n**Data 1 0:** สมาคมประชาชาติแห่งเอเชียตะวันออกเฉียงใต้ S̄mākhm prachāchāti h̄æ̀ng xecheīy khwām yĕn \n**Rowclass 1 1:** mergedrow \n**Label 1 1:** [Vietnamese](https://bliptext.com/articles/vietnamese-language): \n**Data 1 1:** Hiệp hội các quốc gia Đông Nam Á \n:::\n\n# \nThe **Association of [Southeast Asia](https://bliptext.com/articles/southeast-asia)n Nations**, commonly abbreviated as **ASEAN**, is a [political](https://bliptext.com/articles/political-union) and [economic union](https://bliptext.com/articles/economic-union) of 10 [states](https://bliptext.com/articles/sovereign-state) in [Southeast Asia](https://bliptext.com/articles/southeast-asia).\nTogether, its member states represent a population of more than 600 million people and land area of over 4.5 e6km2.\nThe bloc generated a [purchasing power parity](https://bliptext.com/articles/purchasing-power-parity) (PPP) [gross domestic product](https://bliptext.com/articles/gross-domestic-product) (GDP) of around US$10.2trillion in 2022, constituting approximately 6.5% of global [GDP (PPP)](https://bliptext.com/articles/list-of-countries-by-gdp-ppp).\nASEAN member states include some of the fastest growing economies in the world, and the institution plays an integral role in East Asian regionalism.\nThe primary objectives of ASEAN, as stated by the association, are \"to accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region\", and \"to promote regional peace and stability through abiding respect for justice and the rule of law in the relationship among countries in the region and adherence to the principles of the [United Nations Charter](https://bliptext.com/articles/charter-of-the-united-nations).\"\nIn recent years, the bloc has broadened its objectives beyond economic and social spheres.\nASEAN engages with other supranational entities in the [Asia-Pacific](https://bliptext.com/articles/asia-pacific) region and other parts of the world.\nIt is a major partner of the [UN](https://bliptext.com/articles/united-nations), [SCO](https://bliptext.com/articles/shanghai-cooperation-organisation), [PA](https://bliptext.com/articles/pacific-alliance), [GCC](https://bliptext.com/articles/gulf-cooperation-council), [MERCOSUR](https://bliptext.com/articles/mercosur), [CELAC](https://bliptext.com/articles/community-of-latin-american-and-caribbean-states), and [ECO](https://bliptext.com/articles/economic-cooperation-organization), It also hosts diplomatic missions throughout the world, maintaining a global network of relationships that is widely regarded as the central forum for cooperation in the region.\nIts success has become the driving force of some of the largest trade blocs in history, including [APEC](https://bliptext.com/articles/asia-pacific-economic-cooperation) and [RCEP](https://bliptext.com/articles/regional-comprehensive-economic-partnership).\n# [ASEAN headquarters in Jakarta | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7d/ASEAN///HQ///1.jpg]\n\n# History\n\n## Founding\nThe predecessor of ASEAN was the Association of Southeast Asia (ASA), formed on 31 July 1961 and consisting of [Thailand](https://bliptext.com/articles/thailand), the [Philippines](https://bliptext.com/articles/philippines), and [Malaya](https://bliptext.com/articles/federation-of-malaya).\nASEAN itself was created on 8 August 1967, when the [foreign ministers](https://bliptext.com/articles/foreign-minister) of five countries—[Indonesia](https://bliptext.com/articles/indonesia), [Malaysia](https://bliptext.com/articles/malaysia), the [Philippines](https://bliptext.com/articles/philippines), [Singapore](https://bliptext.com/articles/singapore), and [Thailand](https://bliptext.com/articles/thailand)—signed the [ASEAN Declaration](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-declaration).\nAccording to the Declaration, ASEAN aims to accelerate economic, social, and cultural development in the region, as well as promoting regional peace, to collaborate on matters of shared interest, and to promote [Southeast Asian studies](https://bliptext.com/articles/southeast-asian-studies) and maintain close cooperation with existing international organisations.\nThe creation of ASEAN was initially motivated by [the desire to contain communism](https://bliptext.com/articles/anti-communism), which had taken a foothold in mainland Asia after [World War II](https://bliptext.com/articles/world-war-ii), with the formation of communist governments in [North Korea](https://bliptext.com/articles/north-korea), China, and [Vietnam](https://bliptext.com/articles/north-vietnam), accompanied by the so-called communist \"emergency\" in [British Malaya](https://bliptext.com/articles/british-malaya), and unrest in the recently decolonized [Philippines](https://bliptext.com/articles/philippines).\nThese events also encouraged the earlier formation of the [South East Asia Treaty Organization](https://bliptext.com/articles/south-east-asia-treaty-organization) (SEATO), led by the [United States](https://bliptext.com/articles/united-states), [United Kingdom](https://bliptext.com/articles/united-kingdom), and [Australia](https://bliptext.com/articles/australia), with several Southeast Asian partners in 1954 as an extension of \"containment\" policy, seeking to create an Eastern version of [NATO](https://bliptext.com/articles/nato).\nHowever, the local member states of ASEAN group achieved greater cohesion in the mid-1970s following a change in the balance of power after the fall of Saigon and the end of the [Vietnam War](https://bliptext.com/articles/vietnam-war) in April 1975 and the decline of SEATO.\nASEAN's first summit meeting, held in [Bali](https://bliptext.com/articles/bali), [Indonesia](https://bliptext.com/articles/indonesia), in 1976, resulted in an agreement on several industrial projects and the signing of a [Treaty of Amity and Cooperation](https://bliptext.com/articles/treaty-of-amity-and-cooperation-in-southeast-asia), and a Declaration of Concord.\nThe end of the [Cold War](https://bliptext.com/articles/cold-war) allowed ASEAN countries to exercise greater political independence in the region, and in the 1990s, ASEAN emerged as a leading voice on [regional trade](https://bliptext.com/articles/regional-trade) and security issues.\nOn 15 December 1995, the [Southeast Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty](https://bliptext.com/articles/southeast-asian-nuclear-weapon-free-zone-treaty) was signed to turn Southeast Asia into a [nuclear-weapon-free zone](https://bliptext.com/articles/nuclear-weapon-free-zone).\nThe treaty took effect on 28 March 1997 after all but one of the member states had ratified it.\nIt became fully effective on 21 June 2001 after the Philippines ratified it, effectively banning all nuclear weapons in the region.\n\n## Expansion\nOn 7 January 1984, [Brunei](https://bliptext.com/articles/brunei) became ASEAN's sixth member and on 28 July 1995, following the end of the [Cold War](https://bliptext.com/articles/cold-war), [Vietnam](https://bliptext.com/articles/vietnam) joined as the seventh member.\n[Laos](https://bliptext.com/articles/laos) and [Myanmar](https://bliptext.com/articles/myanmar) (formerly Burma) joined two years later on 23 July 1997.\n[Cambodia](https://bliptext.com/articles/cambodia) was to join at the same time as [Laos](https://bliptext.com/articles/laos) and [Myanmar](https://bliptext.com/articles/myanmar), but a [Cambodia](https://bliptext.com/articles/cambodia)n coup in 1997 and other internal instability delayed its entry.\nIt then joined on 30 April 1999 following the stabilization of its government.\nIn 2006, ASEAN was given [observer status at the United Nations General Assembly](https://bliptext.com/articles/united-nations-general-assembly-observers).\nIn response, the organization awarded the status of \"dialogue partner\" to the UN.\n\n## Commonality\nBesides their close geographic proximity, political scholars consider [Southeast Asian](https://bliptext.com/articles/southeast-asia) nations a cultural crossroads between [East Asia](https://bliptext.com/articles/east-asia) and [South Asia](https://bliptext.com/articles/south-asia), located at critical junctions of the [South China Sea](https://bliptext.com/articles/south-china-sea) as well as the [Indian Ocean](https://bliptext.com/articles/indian-ocean), and as a result received much influence from [Islamic](https://bliptext.com/articles/arabic) and [Persian](https://bliptext.com/articles/persians) influences prior to the [European](https://bliptext.com/articles/europe) colonial ages.\nSince around 100 BCE, the Southeast Asian archipelago occupied a central position at the crossroads of the [Indian Ocean](https://bliptext.com/articles/indian-ocean) and the [South China Sea](https://bliptext.com/articles/south-china-sea) trading routes, which stimulated the economy and the influx of ideas.\nThis included the introduction of [abugida scripts](https://bliptext.com/articles/abugida) to Southeast Asia as well as the [Chinese script](https://bliptext.com/articles/ch-n-m) to [Vietnam](https://bliptext.com/articles/literary-chinese-in-vietnam).\nBesides various indigenous scripts, various abugida [Brahmic scripts](https://bliptext.com/articles/brahmic-scripts) were widespread in both continental and insular Southeast Asia.\nHistorically, scripts such as [Pallava](https://bliptext.com/articles/pallava-script), [Kawi](https://bliptext.com/articles/kawi-script) (from ancient [Tamil](https://bliptext.com/articles/tamil-language) script) and [Rencong](https://bliptext.com/articles/rencong-script) or Surat Ulu were used to write [Old Malay](https://bliptext.com/articles/old-malay), until they were replaced by [Jawi](https://bliptext.com/articles/jawi-script) during [Islamic](https://bliptext.com/articles/islam) [missionary](https://bliptext.com/articles/missionary) missions in the [Malay Archipelago](https://bliptext.com/articles/malay-archipelago).\n[European colonialism](https://bliptext.com/articles/european-colonial) influenced most ASEAN countries, including [French Indochina](https://bliptext.com/articles/french-indochina) (present-day [Vietnam](https://bliptext.com/articles/vietnam), [Laos](https://bliptext.com/articles/laos) & [Cambodia](https://bliptext.com/articles/cambodia)), [British Burma](https://bliptext.com/articles/british-rule-in-burma), [Malaya](https://bliptext.com/articles/british-malaya) and [Borneo](https://bliptext.com/articles/british-borneo) (present-day [Myanmar](https://bliptext.com/articles/myanmar), [Malaysia](https://bliptext.com/articles/malaysia) & [Singapore](https://bliptext.com/articles/singapore), and [Brunei](https://bliptext.com/articles/brunei)), [Dutch East Indies](https://bliptext.com/articles/dutch-east-indies) (present day [Indonesia](https://bliptext.com/articles/indonesia)), [Spanish East Indies](https://bliptext.com/articles/spanish-east-indies) (present-day [Philippines](https://bliptext.com/articles/philippines) and various other colonies), and [Portuguese Timor](https://bliptext.com/articles/portuguese-timor) (present-day [Timor-Leste](https://bliptext.com/articles/east-timor)), with only [Thailand](https://bliptext.com/articles/thailand) (then [Siam](https://bliptext.com/articles/siam)) not formed from a prior European colony.\nSiam served as a convenient buffer state, sandwiched between British Burma and French Indochina, but its kings had to contend with [unequal treaties](https://bliptext.com/articles/bowring-treaty) as well as British and French political interference and territorial losses after the [Franco-Siamese conflict of 1893](https://bliptext.com/articles/franco-siamese-conflict-of-1893) and the [Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909](https://bliptext.com/articles/anglo-siamese-treaty-of-1909).\nUnder European colonization, Southeast Asian nations were introduced to European religions and technologies, as well as the [Latin alphabet](https://bliptext.com/articles/latin-alphabet).\nThe [Japanese Empire](https://bliptext.com/articles/empire-of-japan), in the vein of the [Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere](https://bliptext.com/articles/greater-east-asia-co-prosperity-sphere) concept, sought to unite and create a pan-Asian identity against [Western colonial occupation](https://bliptext.com/articles/western-imperialism-in-asia), but Japan's alliance with the [Axis powers](https://bliptext.com/articles/axis-powers) in [World War II](https://bliptext.com/articles/world-war-ii) soured relations between many colonies of Europe and the United States.\nDefeat of Imperial Japan eventuated in [decolonization movements](https://bliptext.com/articles/decolonization-of-asia) throughout Southeast Asia, resulting in the independent ASEAN states of today.\n\n## The ASEAN Charter\nOn 15 December 2008, the member states met in [Jakarta](https://bliptext.com/articles/jakarta) to launch the charter signed in November 2007, to move closer to \"an [EU](https://bliptext.com/articles/european-union)-style community\".\nThe charter formally established ASEAN as a legal entity, aiming to create a single trade bloc for a region encompassing 500 million people.\nIndonesian president [Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono](https://bliptext.com/articles/susilo-bambang-yudhoyono) stated: \"This is a momentous development when ASEAN is consolidating, integrating, and transforming itself into a community. It is achieved while ASEAN seeks a more vigorous role in Asian and global affairs at a time when the international system is experiencing a seismic shift\".\nReferring to climate change and economic upheaval, he concluded: \"Southeast Asia is no longer the bitterly divided, war-torn region it was in the 1960s and 1970s\".\nThe [financial crisis of 2007–2008](https://bliptext.com/articles/financial-crisis-of-2007-2008) was seen as a threat to the charter's goals, and also set forth the idea of a proposed human rights body to be discussed at a future summit in February 2009.\nThis proposition caused controversy, as the body would not have the power to impose sanctions or punish countries which violated citizens' rights and would, therefore, be limited in effectiveness.\nThe body was established later in 2009 as the [ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-intergovernmental-commission-on-human-rights) (AICHR).\nIn November 2012, the commission adopted the [ASEAN Human Rights Declaration](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-human-rights-declaration).\nHowever, their human rights declaration has been critiqued widely by the international community, with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights stating that the declaration was worded in problematic ways that do not easily align with international norms.\nLikewise, the [Human Rights Watch](https://bliptext.com/articles/human-rights-watch) in the United States noted several important fundamental rights were omitted or not clearly established.\nThe ASEAN chair is a rotating position, currently held by [Laos](https://bliptext.com/articles/laos).\nRecent ASEAN chairs are as follows:\n\n## Public health\nIn response to pandemics, ASEAN has coordinated with ASEAN+3 and other actors to create a regional public health response.\n\n### SARS outbreak\nDuring the [SARS outbreak](https://bliptext.com/articles/2002-2004-sars-outbreak), ASEAN and ASEAN+3 worked together to devise a response to the outbreak.\nImmediate and short-to-medium term measures were devised.\nThe parties agreed to enhance sharing of best practices against the disease while also agreeing to bolster collaboration between their respective health authorities and harmonize travel procedures to ensure that proper health screening would occur.\nIn addition, China offered to contribute $1.2 million to the ASEAN SARS fund, made both to show that it was willing to cooperate with the rest of the region and make amends for its withholding of information during the initial stages of the outbreak.\n\n### H1N1 pandemic\nASEAN held a special meeting between ASEAN and ASEAN+3 health ministers on 8 May 2009, on responding to the [H1N1 pandemic](https://bliptext.com/articles/2009-swine-flu-pandemic).\nAt this meeting, it was agreed that hotlines would be established between public health authorities, joint response teams would be formed, and ongoing research efforts would be bolstered.\n\n## Myanmar crisis\nSince 2017, political, military and ethnic affairs in [Myanmar](https://bliptext.com/articles/myanmar) have posed unusual challenges for ASEAN, creating precedent-breaking situations and threatening the traditions and unity of the group, and its global standing —with ASEAN responses indicating possible fundamental change in the nature of the organization.\n\n### Rohingya genocide\nThe [Rohingya genocide](https://bliptext.com/articles/rohingya-genocide) erupting in [Myanmar](https://bliptext.com/articles/myanmar) in August 2017—killing thousands of [Rohingya people](https://bliptext.com/articles/rohingya-people) in [Myanmar](https://bliptext.com/articles/myanmar), driving most into neighboring [Bangladesh](https://bliptext.com/articles/bangladesh), and continuing for months —created a global outcry demanding ASEAN take action against the civilian-military [coalition government](https://bliptext.com/articles/coalition-government) of [Myanmar](https://bliptext.com/articles/myanmar), which had long discriminated against the Rohingya, and had launched the 2017 attacks upon them.\n\n\n### 2021 Myanmar coup\nOn 1 February 2021, the day before a newly elected slate of civilian leaders was to take office in Myanmar, a military junta overthrew Myanmar's civilian government in a [coup d'etat](https://bliptext.com/articles/2021-myanmar-coup-d-etat), declaring a national [state of emergency](https://bliptext.com/articles/state-of-emergency), imposing [martial law](https://bliptext.com/articles/martial-law), arresting elected civilian leaders, violently clamping down on dissent, and replacing civilian government with the military's appointees.\nWidespread protests and resistance erupted, and elements of the civilian leadership formed an underground \"[National Unity Government](https://bliptext.com/articles/national-unity-government-of-myanmar)\" (NUG).\nGlobal opposition to the coup emerged, and global pressure was brought on ASEAN to take action.\n\n# [Special ASEAN summit on the 2021 Myanmar coup. | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cf/2021///Special///ASEAN///Summit///on///Myanmar%27s///coup///d%27%C3%A9tat///%281%29.jpg]\n\n# Member states\n# [Map showing the member states of ASEAN | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b3/Map///of///ASEAN///member///states.svg]\n\n## List of member states\n\n## Observer states\nThere are currently two states seeking accession to ASEAN: [East Timor](https://bliptext.com/articles/east-timor) and [Papua New Guinea](https://bliptext.com/articles/papua-new-guinea).\n\n# Demographics\n, the population of the ASEAN was about 655 million people (8.5% of the world population).\nIn ASEAN in 2019, 55.2 million children were age 0–4 and 46.3 million people were older than 65.\nThis corresponds to 8.4% and 7.1% of the total ASEAN population.\nThe region's population growth is 1.1% per year.\n[Thailand](https://bliptext.com/articles/thailand) is the lowest at 0.2% per year, and [Cambodia](https://bliptext.com/articles/cambodia) is the highest at 1.9% per year.\nASEAN's sex ratio is 0.996 males per female, with 326.4 million males and 327.8 million females.\n\n## Urban\nAn urban area, built-up area or urban agglomeration is a human settlement with a high population density and an infrastructure of built environment.\nUrban areas originate through urbanization, and researchers categorize them as cities, towns, conurbations or suburbs.\nThe 20 largest metropolitan areas within ASEAN are as follows.\n\n# The ASEAN Way\nThe \"ASEAN Way\" refers to a methodology or approach to solving issues that respect Southeast Asia's cultural norms.\nMasilamani and Peterson summarise it as \"a working process or style that is informal and personal. Policymakers constantly utilise compromise, consensus, and consultation in the informal decision-making process... it above all prioritises a consensus-based, non-conflictual way of addressing problems. Quiet diplomacy allows ASEAN leaders to communicate without bringing the discussions into the public view. Members avoid the embarrassment that may lead to further conflict.\"\nIt has been said that the merits of the ASEAN Way might \"be usefully applied to global conflict management\".\nHowever, critics have argued that such an approach can be only applied to Asian countries, to specific cultural norms and understandings notably, due to a difference in mindset and level of tension.\nCritics object, claiming that the ASEAN Way's emphasis on consultation, consensus, and non-interference forces the organization to adopt only those policies which satisfy the lowest common denominator.\nDecision-making by consensus requires members to see eye-to-eye before ASEAN can move forward on an issue.\nMembers may not have a common conception of the meaning of the ASEAN Way.\nMyanmar, Cambodia, and Laos emphasize non-interference while older member countries focus on co-operation and co-ordination.\nThese differences hinder efforts to find common solutions to particular issues, but also make it difficult to determine when collective action is appropriate in a given situation.\n\n# Structure\nBeginning in 1997, heads of each member state adopted the ASEAN Vision 2020 during the group's 30th anniversary meeting held in [Kuala Lumpur](https://bliptext.com/articles/kuala-lumpur).\nAs a means for the realization of a single ASEAN community, this vision provides provisions on peace and stability, a nuclear-free region, closer economic integration, human development, sustainable development, cultural heritage, being a drug-free region, environment among others.\nThe vision also aimed to \"see an outward-looking ASEAN playing a pivotal role in the international fora, and advancing ASEAN's common interests\".\nASEAN Vision 2020 was formalized and made comprehensive through the Bali Concord II in 2003.\nThree major pillars of a single ASEAN community were established: Political-Security Community (APSC), Economic Community (AEC) and Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC).\nTo fully embody the three pillars as part of the 2015 integration, blueprints for APSC and ASCC were subsequently adopted in 2009 in [Cha-am](https://bliptext.com/articles/cha-am), Thailand.\nThe ASEAN Community, initially planned to commence by 2020, was accelerated to begin by 31 December 2015.\nIt was decided during the 12th ASEAN Summit in [Cebu](https://bliptext.com/articles/cebu) in 2007.\n\n\n## AEC Blueprint\nThe AEC aims to \"implement economic integration initiatives\" to create a single market for member states.\nThe blueprint that serves as a comprehensive guide for the establishment of the community was adopted on 20 November 2007 at the 13th ASEAN Summit in Singapore.\nIts characteristics include a single market and production base, a highly competitive economic region, a region of fair economic development, and a region fully integrated into the global economy.\nThe areas of cooperation include human resources development, recognition of professional qualifications, closer consultation economic policies, enhanced infrastructure and communications connectivity, integrating industries for regional sourcing, and strengthening private sector involvement.\nThrough the free movement of skilled labor, goods, services and investment, ASEAN would rise globally as one market, thus increasing its competitiveness and opportunities for development.\n# [ASEAN leaders sign the declaration of the ASEAN Economic Community during the 27th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, 2015. | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f4/KL///Declaration///Signing///11.22.15.jpg]\n\n## APSC Blueprint\nDuring the 14th ASEAN Summit, the group adopted the APSC Blueprint.\nThis document is aimed at creating a robust political-security environment within ASEAN, with programs and activities outlined to establish the APSC by 2016.\nIt is based on the ASEAN Charter, the ASEAN Security Community Plan of Action, and the Vientiane Action Program.\nThe APSC aims to create a sense of responsibility toward comprehensive security and a dynamic, outward-looking region in an increasingly integrated and interdependent world.\nThe ASEAN Defense Industry Collaboration (ADIC) was proposed at the 4th ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) on 11 May 2010 in [Hanoi](https://bliptext.com/articles/hanoi).\nIt has the purpose, among others, to reduce defense imports from non-ASEAN countries by half and to further develop the defense industry in the region.\nIt was formally adopted on the next ADMM on 19 May 2011, in Jakarta, Indonesia.\nThe main focus is to industrially and technologically boost the security capability of ASEAN, consistent with the principles of flexibility and non-binding and voluntary participation among the member states.\nThe concept revolves around education and capability-building programs to develop the skills and capabilities of the workforce, production of capital for defense products, and the provision of numerous services to address the security needs of each member state.\nIt also aims to develop an intra-ASEAN defense trade.\nADIC aims to establish a strong defense industry relying on the local capabilities of each member state and limit annual procurement from external original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).\nCountries like the US, Germany, Russia, France, Italy, UK, China, South Korea, Israel, and the Netherlands are among the major suppliers to ASEAN.\nASEAN defense budget rose by 147% from 2004 to 2013 and is expected to rise further in the future.\nFactors affecting the increase include economic growth, ageing equipment, and the plan to strengthen the establishment of the defense industry.\nASEANAPOL is also established to enhance cooperation on law enforcement and crime control among police forces of member states.\n\n## ASCC Blueprint\nThe ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) was also adopted during the 14th ASEAN Summit.\nIt envisions an \"ASEAN Community that is people-centered and socially responsible with a view to achieving enduring solidarity and unity among the countries and peoples of ASEAN by forging a common identity and building a caring and sharing society which is inclusive and harmonious where the well-being, livelihood, and welfare of the peoples are enhanced\".\nAmong its focus areas include human development, social welfare and protection, social justice and rights, environmental sustainability, building the ASEAN identity, and narrowing the development gap.\nTo track the progress of the AEC, a compliance tool called the AEC Scorecard was developed based on the EU Internal Market Scorecard.\nIt is the only one in effect and is expected to serve as an unbiased assessment tool to measure the extent of integration and the economic health of the region.\nIt is expected to provide relevant information about regional priorities, and thus foster productive, inclusive, and sustainable growth.\nIt makes it possible to monitor the implementation of ASEAN agreements, and the achievement of milestones indicated in the AEC Strategic Schedule.\nThe scorecard outlines specific actions that must be undertaken collectively and individually to establish AEC by 2015.\nTo date, two official scorecards have been published, one in 2010, and the other in 2012.\nHowever, the scorecard is purely quantitative, as it only examines whether a member state has performed the AEC task or not.\nThe more \"yes\" answers, the higher the score.\n\n\n### APAEC blueprint\nPart of the work towards the ASEAN Economic Community is the integration of the energy systems of the ASEAN member states.\nThe blueprint for this integration is provided by the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC).\nAPAEC is managed by the ASEAN Center for Energy.\n\n### 2020 ASEAN Banking Integration Framework\nAs trade is liberalized with the integration in 2015, the need arises for ASEAN banking institutions to accommodate and expand their services to an intra-ASEAN market.\nExperts, however, have already forecast a shaky economic transition, especially for smaller players in the banking and financial services industry.\nTwo separate reports by [Standard & Poor's](https://bliptext.com/articles/standard-poor-s) (S&P) outline the challenges that ASEAN financial institutions face as they prepare for the 2020 banking integration.\nThe reports point out that overcrowded banking sector in the Philippines is expected to feel the most pressure as the integration welcomes tighter competition with bigger and more established foreign banks.\nAs a result, there needs to be a regional expansion by countries with a small banking sector to lessen the impact of the post-integration environment.\nIn a follow-up report, S&P recently cited the Philippines for \"shoring up its network bases and building up capital ahead of the banking integration – playing defense and strengthening their domestic networks\".\n\n### Financial integration roadmap\nThe roadmap for financial integration is the latest regional initiative that aims to strengthen local self-help and support mechanisms.\nThe roadmap's implementation would contribute to the realization of the AEC.\nAdoption of a common currency, when conditions are ripe, could be the final stage of the AEC.\nThe roadmap identifies approaches and milestones in capital market development, capital account and financial services liberalization, and ASEAN currency cooperation.\nCapital market development entails promoting institutional capacity as well as the facilitation of greater cross-border collaboration, linkages, and harmonization between capital markets.\nOrderly capital account liberalization would be promoted with adequate safeguards against volatility and systemic risks.\nTo expedite the process of financial services liberalization, ASEAN has agreed on a positive list modality and adopted milestones to facilitate negotiations.\nCurrency cooperation would involve the exploration of possible currency arrangements, including an ASEAN currency payment system for trade in local goods to reduce the demand for US dollars and to help promote stability of regional currencies, such as by settling intra-ASEAN trade using regional currencies.\n\n\n### Food security\nMember states recognize the importance of strengthening [food security](https://bliptext.com/articles/food-security) to maintain stability and prosperity in the region.\nAs ASEAN moves towards AEC and beyond, food security would be an integral part of the community-building agenda.\nStrengthened food security is even more relevant in light of potentially severe risks from climate change with agriculture and fisheries being the most affected industries.\nPart of the aim of ASEAN integration is to achieve food security collectively via [trade](https://bliptext.com/articles/trade) in rice and maize.\n[Trade facilitation](https://bliptext.com/articles/trade-facilitation) measures and the harmonization/equivalency of food regulation and control standards would reduce the cost of trade in food products.\nWhile specialization and revealed comparative and competitive indices point to complementarities between trade patterns among the member states, intra-ASEAN trade in agriculture is quite small, something that integration could address.\nThe MARKET project would provide flexible and demand-driven support to the ASEAN Secretariat while bringing more private-sector and civil-society input into regional agriculture policy dialogue.\nBy building an environment that reduces barriers to trade, ASEAN trade would increase, thereby decreasing the risk of food price crisis.\n\n# Economy\nThe group sought economic integration by creating the AEC by the end of 2015 that established a [single market](https://bliptext.com/articles/single-market).\nThe average economic growth of member states from 1989 to 2009 was between 3.8% and 7%.\nThis was greater than the average growth of APEC, which was 2.8%.\nThe ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA), established on 28 January 1992, includes a Common Effective Preferential Tariff (CEPT) to promote the free flow of goods between member states.\nASEAN had only six members when it was signed.\nThe new member states (Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia) have not fully met AFTA's obligations, but are officially considered part of the agreement as they were required to sign it upon entry into ASEAN, and were given longer time frames to meet AFTA's tariff reduction obligations.\nThe next steps are to create a single market and production base, a competitive economic region, a region of equitable economic development, and a region that is fully integrated into the global economy.\nSince 2007, ASEAN countries have gradually lowered their import duties to member states, with a target of zero import duties by 2016.\nASEAN countries have many economic zones (industrial parks, eco-industrial parks, special economic zones, technology parks, and innovation districts) (see reference for comprehensive list from 2015).\nIn 2018, eight of the ASEAN members are among the world's outperforming economies, with positive long-term prospect for the region.\nASEAN's Secretariat projects that the regional body will grow to become the world's fourth largest economy by 2030.\nThe ASEAN Centre for Energy publishes the ASEAN Energy Outlook every five years, analysing and promoting the integration of national energy systems across the region.\nThe sixth edition was published in 2020.\n\n## Internal market\nASEAN planned to establish a single market based upon the [four freedoms](https://bliptext.com/articles/four-freedoms-european-union) by the end of 2015, with the goal of ensuring free flow of goods, services, skilled labour, and capital.\nThe ASEAN Economic Community was formed in 2015, but the group deferred about 20% of the harmonization provisions needed to create a [common market](https://bliptext.com/articles/common-market) and set a new deadline of 2025.\nUntil the end of 2010, intra-ASEAN trade was still low as trade involved mainly exports to countries outside the region, with the exception of Laos and Myanmar, whose foreign trade was ASEAN-oriented.\nIn 2009, realised [foreign direct investment](https://bliptext.com/articles/foreign-direct-investment) (FDI) was US$37.9 billion and increased two-fold in 2010 to US$75.8 billion.\n22% of FDI came from the [European Union](https://bliptext.com/articles/european-union), followed by ASEAN countries (16%), and by Japan and the United States.\nThe ASEAN Framework Agreement on Trade in Services (AFAS) was adopted at the ASEAN Summit in Bangkok in December 1995.\nUnder the agreement, member states enter into successive rounds of negotiations to liberalise trade in services with the aim of submitting increasingly higher levels of commitment.\nASEAN has concluded seven packages of commitments under AFAS.\nMutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) have been agreed upon by ASEAN for eight professions: physicians, dentists, nurses, architects, engineers, accountants, surveyors, and tourism professionals.\nIndividuals in these professions will be free to work in any ASEAN states effective 31 December 2015.\nIn addition, six member states ([Malaysia](https://bliptext.com/articles/malaysia), [Vietnam](https://bliptext.com/articles/vietnam) (2 exchanges), [Indonesia](https://bliptext.com/articles/indonesia), [Philippines](https://bliptext.com/articles/philippines), [Thailand](https://bliptext.com/articles/thailand), and [Singapore](https://bliptext.com/articles/singapore)) have collaborated on integrating their stock exchanges, which includes 70% of its transaction values with the goal to compete with international exchanges.\nSingle market will also include the [ASEAN Single Aviation Market](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-single-aviation-market) (ASEAN-SAM), the region's aviation policy geared towards the development of a [unified and single aviation market](https://bliptext.com/articles/open-skies) in [Southeast Asia](https://bliptext.com/articles/southeast-asia).\nIt was proposed by the ASEAN Air Transport Working Group, supported by the ASEAN Senior Transport Officials Meeting, and endorsed by the ASEAN Transport Ministers.\nIt is expected to liberalise air travel between member states allowing ASEAN airlines to benefit directly from the growth in air travel, and also free up tourism, trade, investment, and service flows.\nSince 1 December 2008, restrictions on the third and fourth [freedoms of the air](https://bliptext.com/articles/freedoms-of-the-air) between capital cities of member states for air passenger services have been removed, while from 1 January 2009, full liberalisation of air freight services in the region took effect.\nOn 1 January 2011, full liberalisation on fifth freedom traffic rights between all capital cities took effect.\nThis policy supersedes existing unilateral, bilateral, and multilateral air services agreements among member states which are inconsistent with its provisions.\n\n## Monetary union\nThe concept of an [Asian Currency Unit](https://bliptext.com/articles/asian-currency-unit) (ACU) started in the middle of the 1990s, prior to the [1997 Asian financial crisis](https://bliptext.com/articles/1997-asian-financial-crisis).\nIt is a proposed basket of Asian currencies, similar to the [Euro](https://bliptext.com/articles/euro)pean Currency Unit, which was the precursor of the [Euro](https://bliptext.com/articles/euro).\nThe [Asian Development Bank](https://bliptext.com/articles/asian-development-bank) is responsible for exploring the feasibility and construction of the basket.\nSince the ACU is being considered to be a precursor to a common currency, it has a dynamic outlook of the region.\nThe overall goal of a common currency is to contribute to the financial stability of a regional economy, including price stability.\nIt means lower cost of cross-border business through the elimination of currency risk.\nGreater flows of intra-trade would put pressure on prices, resulting in cheaper goods and services.\nIndividuals benefit not only from the lowering of prices, they save by not having to change money when travelling, by being able to compare prices more readily, and by the reduced cost of transferring money across borders.\nHowever, there are conditions for a common currency: the intensity of intra-regional trade and the convergence of [macroeconomic](https://bliptext.com/articles/macroeconomics) conditions.\nSubstantial intra-ASEAN trade (which is growing, partly as a result of the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) and the ASEAN Economic Community.) and economic integration is an incentive for a monetary union.\nMember states currently trade more with other countries (80%) than among themselves (20%).\nTherefore, their economies are more concerned about currency stability against major international currencies, like the US dollar.\nOn macroeconomic conditions, member states have different levels of economic development, capacity, and priorities that translate into different levels of interest and readiness.\nMonetary integration, however, implies less control over national monetary and fiscal policy to stimulate the economy.\nTherefore, greater convergence in macroeconomic conditions is being enacted to improve conditions and confidence in a common currency.\nOther concerns include weaknesses in the financial sectors, inadequacy of regional-level resource pooling mechanisms and institutions required to form and manage a currency union, and lack of political preconditions for monetary co-operation and a common currency.\n\n## Free trade\nIn 1992, the Common Effective Preferential Tariff (CEPT) scheme was adopted as a schedule for phasing out tariffs to increase the \"region's competitive advantage as a production base geared for the world market\".\nThis law would act as the framework for the [ASEAN Free Trade Area](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-free-trade-area) (AFTA), which is an agreement by member states concerning local manufacturing in ASEAN.\nIt was signed on 28 January 1992 in Singapore.\nFree trade initiatives in ASEAN are spearheaded by the implementation of the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) and the Agreement on Customs.\nThese agreements are supported by several sector bodies to plan and to execute free trade measures, guided by the provisions and the requirements of ATIGA and the Agreement on Customs.\nThey form a backbone for achieving targets of the AEC Blueprint and establishing the ASEAN Economic Community by the end of 2015.\nOn 26 August 2007, ASEAN stated its aim of completing free trade agreements (FTA) with China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, and New Zealand by 2013, which is in line with the start of the ASEAN Economic Community by 2015.\nIn November 2007, ASEAN states signed the ASEAN Charter, a constitution governing relations among member states and establishing the group itself as an international legal entity.\nDuring the same year, the [Cebu Declaration on East Asian Energy Security](https://bliptext.com/articles/cebu-declaration-on-east-asian-energy-security) was signed by ASEAN and the other members of the [EAS](https://bliptext.com/articles/east-asian-summit) (Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea), which pursues [energy security](https://bliptext.com/articles/energy-security) by finding [energy alternatives](https://bliptext.com/articles/renewable) to [fossil fuels](https://bliptext.com/articles/fossil-fuels).\nOn 27 February 2009, an FTA with [Australia](https://bliptext.com/articles/australia) and [New Zealand](https://bliptext.com/articles/new-zealand) was signed.\nIt is believed that this FTA would boost combined GDP across the 12 countries by more than US$48 billion over the period between 2000 and 2020.\nThe agreement with China created the [ASEAN–China Free Trade Area](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-china-free-trade-area) (ACFTA), which went into full effect on 1 January 2010.\nIn addition, ASEAN was noted to be negotiating an FTA with the [European Union](https://bliptext.com/articles/european-union).\nBilateral trade with India crossed the US$70 billion target in 2012 (target was to reach the level by 2015).\nTaiwan has also expressed interest in an agreement with ASEAN but needs to overcome diplomatic objections from China.\nASEAN, together with its six major trading partners (Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea), began the first round of negotiations on 26–28 February 2013, in Bali, Indonesia on the establishment of [the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)](https://bliptext.com/articles/regional-comprehensive-economic-partnership), which is an extension of ASEAN Plus Three and Six that covers 45% of the world's population and about a third of the world's total GDP.\nIn 2019, [Reuters](https://bliptext.com/articles/reuters) highlighted a mechanism used by traders to avoid the 70% tariff on [ethanol](https://bliptext.com/articles/ethanol) imported into China from the United States, involving importing the fuel into Malaysia, mixing it with at least 40% ASEAN-produced fuel, and re-exporting it to China tariff-free under ACFTA rules.\n# [{{Legend|#fd1813ff|ASEAN}}{{Legend|#124295ff|Countries with which ASEAN has free trade agreements|undefined | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f5/Map///of///countries///with///which///ASEAN///has///free///trade///agreements.svg]\n\n## Electricity trade\nCross-border electricity trade in ASEAN has been limited, despite efforts since 1997 to establish an [ASEAN Power Grid](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-power-grid) and associated trade.\nElectricity trade accounts for only about 5% of the generation, whereas trades in coal and gas are 86% and 53% respectively.\n\n## Tourism\nWith the institutionalisation of visa-free travel between ASEAN member states, intra-ASEAN travel has escalated.\nIn 2010, 47% or 34 million out of 73 million tourists in ASEAN member-states were from other ASEAN countries.\nCooperation in tourism was formalised in 1976, following the formation of the Sub-Committee on Tourism (SCOT) under the ASEAN Committee on Trade and Tourism.\nThe 1st ASEAN Tourism Forum was held on 18–26 October 1981 in [Kuala Lumpur](https://bliptext.com/articles/kuala-lumpur).\nIn 1986, ASEAN Promotional Chapters for Tourism (APCT) were established in Hong Kong, West Germany, the United Kingdom, Australia/New Zealand, Japan, and North America.\nTourism has been one of the key growth sectors in ASEAN and has proven resilient amid global economic challenges.\nThe wide array of tourist attractions across the region drew 109 million tourists to ASEAN in 2015, up by 34% compared to 81 million tourists in 2011.\nAs of 2012, tourism was estimated to account for 4.6% of ASEAN GDP—10.9% when taking into account all indirect contributions.\nIt directly employed 9.3 million people, or 3.2% of total employment, and indirectly supported some 25 million jobs.\nIn addition, the sector accounted for an estimated 8% of total capital investment in the region.\nIn January 2012, ASEAN tourism ministers called for the development of a marketing strategy.\nThe strategy represents the consensus of ASEAN National Tourism Organisations (NTOs) on marketing directions for ASEAN moving forward to 2015.\nIn the 2013 Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index (TTCI) report, Singapore placed 1st, Malaysia placed 8th, Thailand placed 9th, Indonesia placed 12th, Brunei placed 13th, Vietnam placed 16th, Philippines placed 17th, and Cambodia placed 20th as the top destinations of travellers in the Asia Pacific region.\n1981 The ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) was established.\nIt is a regional meeting of NGOs, Ministers, sellers, buyers and journalists to promote the ASEAN countries as a single one tourist destination.\nThe annual event 2019 in Ha Long marks the 38th anniversary and involves all the tourism industry sectors of the 10 member states of ASEAN: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.\nIt was organized by TTG Events from Singapore.\n\n## Cooperation funds\nThe establishment of the [China-ASEAN Investment Cooperation Fund](https://bliptext.com/articles/china-asean-investment-cooperation-fund) was announced in 2009 by Chinese Premier [Wen Jiabao](https://bliptext.com/articles/wen-jiabao) began operations in 2010.\nThe fund, which is sponsored by the [Export-Import Bank of China](https://bliptext.com/articles/export-import-bank-of-china), among other institutional investors, became the first Southeast Asia-focused private equity fund approved by China's [State Council](https://bliptext.com/articles/state-council-of-the-people-s-republic-of-china) and the National Development and Reform Commission.\nThe [Export-Import Bank of China](https://bliptext.com/articles/export-import-bank-of-china) is the \"anchor sponsor\" with a \"seed investment\" of US$300 million.\nThree other Chinese institutions invested a combined US$500 million.\nThe [International Finance Corporation](https://bliptext.com/articles/international-finance-corporation) of the [World Bank](https://bliptext.com/articles/world-bank) invested US$100 million.\nIn November 2011, the China-ASEAN Maritime Cooperation fund was established.\nChina underwrote the fund, which is valued at RMB 3 billion.\n\n# Foreign relations\nASEAN maintains a global network of alliances, dialogue partners and diplomatic missions, and is involved in numerous international affairs.\nThe organisation maintains good relationships on an international scale, particularly towards Asia-Pacific nations, and upholds itself as a neutral party in politics.\nIt holds [ASEAN Summits](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-summit), where [heads of government](https://bliptext.com/articles/head-of-government) of each member states meet to discuss and resolve regional issues, as well as to conduct other meetings with countries outside the bloc to promote external relations and deal with international affairs.\nThe first summit was held in [Bali](https://bliptext.com/articles/bali) in 1976.\nThe third summit was in [Manila](https://bliptext.com/articles/manila) in 1987, and during this meeting, it was decided that the leaders would meet every five years.\nThe fourth meeting was held in [Singapore](https://bliptext.com/articles/singapore) in 1992 where the leaders decided to meet more frequently, every three years.\nIn 2001, it was decided that the organisation will meet annually to address urgent issues affecting the region.\nIn December 2008, the ASEAN Charter came into force and with it, the ASEAN Summit will be held twice a year.\nThe formal summit meets for three days, and usually includes internal organisation meeting, a conference with foreign ministers of the ASEAN Regional Forum, an ASEAN Plus Three meeting and ASEAN-CER, a meeting of member states with Australia and New Zealand.\nASEAN is a major partner of the [Shanghai Cooperation Organisation](https://bliptext.com/articles/shanghai-cooperation-organisation), developing cooperation model with the organisation in the field of security, economy, finance, tourism, culture, environmental protection, development and sustainability.\nAdditionally, the grouping has been closely aligned with [China](https://bliptext.com/articles/china), cooperating across numerous areas, including economy, security, education, culture, technology, agriculture, human resource, society, development, investment, energy, transport, public health, tourism, media, environment, and sustainability.\nIt is also the linchpin in the foreign policy of Australia and New Zealand, with the three sides being integrated into an essential alliance.\nASEAN also participates in the [East Asia Summit](https://bliptext.com/articles/east-asia-summit) (EAS), a pan-Asian forum held annually by the leaders of eighteen countries in the [East Asian](https://bliptext.com/articles/east-asia) region, with ASEAN in a leadership position.\nInitially, membership included all member states of ASEAN plus China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, and New Zealand, but was expanded to include the United States and Russia at the Sixth EAS in 2011, as they were also important players having dominance and influence over the region.\nThe first summit was held in [Kuala Lumpur](https://bliptext.com/articles/kuala-lumpur) on 14 December 2005, and subsequent meetings have been held after the annual ASEAN Leaders' Meeting.\nThe summit has discussed issues including trade, [energy](https://bliptext.com/articles/energy), and security and the summit has a role in [regional community building](https://bliptext.com/articles/east-asia-community).\nOther meetings include the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting that focus mostly on specific topics, such as defence or the environment, and are attended by [ministers](https://bliptext.com/articles/minister-government).\nThe (ARF), which met for the first time in 1994, fosters dialogue and consultation, and to promote confidence-building and preventive diplomacy in the region.\nAs of July 2007, it consists of twenty-seven participants that include all ASEAN member states, Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, China, the EU, India, Japan, North and South Korea, Mongolia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Russia, East Timor, the United States, and Sri Lanka.\nTaiwan has been excluded since the establishment of the ARF, and issues regarding the Taiwan Strait are neither discussed at ARF meetings nor stated in the ARF Chairman's Statements.\nASEAN also holds meetings with Europe during the [Asia–Europe Meeting](https://bliptext.com/articles/asia-europe-meeting) (ASEM), an informal dialogue process initiated in 1996 with the intention of strengthening co-operation between the countries of Europe and Asia, especially members of the [European Union](https://bliptext.com/articles/european-union) and ASEAN in particular.\nASEAN, represented by its secretariat, is one of the forty-five ASEM partners.\nIt also appoints a representative to sit on the governing board of [Asia-Europe Foundation](https://bliptext.com/articles/asia-europe-foundation) (ASEF), a socio-cultural organisation associated with the meeting.\nAnnual bilateral meetings between ASEAN and India, Russia and the United States are also held.\nPrior to 2012, ASEAN foreign ministerial statements were not typically contentious.\nParticularly as international disagreements over the South China Sea increased, the wording of ASEAN foreign ministerial statements became more politically contended.\nFollowing the [2022 visit by United States Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan](https://bliptext.com/articles/2022-visit-by-nancy-pelosi-to-taiwan), ASEAN and individual member states reiterated their support of the [One China policy](https://bliptext.com/articles/one-china).\nOn 12 November 2022, Ukrainian Foreign Minister [Dmytro Kuleba](https://bliptext.com/articles/dmytro-kuleba) urged ASEAN countries to abandon their neutrality and condemn Russia's [invasion of Ukraine](https://bliptext.com/articles/2022-russian-invasion-of-ukraine).\n# [Royal Thai Embassy, Helsinki, flying its own national flag as well as ASEAN's flag | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ae/Asean///flag///flying///at///Royal///Thai///Embassy///Helsinki.jpg]\n# [Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte poses for a photo with the ASEAN foreign ministers during the 50th anniversary of the group's foundation on 8 August 2017. | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2d/ASEAN///50th///Anniversary.jpg]\n\n## Territorial disputes\n\n### South China Sea\nWith perceptions that there have been [multiple incursions](https://bliptext.com/articles/territorial-disputes-in-the-south-china-sea) into the [South China Sea](https://bliptext.com/articles/south-china-sea) by the PRC (China) and ROC (Taiwan), with land, islands and resources all having had previous overlapping claims between [Vietnam](https://bliptext.com/articles/vietnam), [Philippines](https://bliptext.com/articles/philippines), [Malaysia](https://bliptext.com/articles/malaysia), [Brunei](https://bliptext.com/articles/brunei), [Indonesia](https://bliptext.com/articles/indonesia), and various other countries, the PRC and ROC's claim into the region is seen as intrusive by many Southeast Asian countries as of 2022, potentially a reflection of the threat of [Chinese expansionism](https://bliptext.com/articles/chinese-expansionism) into the region.\nShortly after the conclusion of the [South China Sea Arbitration](https://bliptext.com/articles/south-china-sea-arbitration), at the 24 July 2016 China-ASEAN Foreign Ministers summit, China assured ASEAN that it would not conduct [land reclamation](https://bliptext.com/articles/land-reclamation-in-china) on the Scarborough Shoal.\nThe joint statement at the conclusion of the summit emphasized the implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and urged the parties to refrain from inhabiting currently unoccupied islands, reefs, shoals, cays, and other features.\nWithin ASEAN, [Cambodia](https://bliptext.com/articles/cambodia-china-relations) is often supportive of the PRC's positions, including on the South China Sea issue.\n\n### Bilateral\nThere have been [territorial disputes](https://bliptext.com/articles/territorial-dispute) between ASEAN member states such as the [Cambodian–Thai border dispute](https://bliptext.com/articles/cambodian-thai-border-dispute) between Cambodia and Thailand, [Cambodian–Vietnamese border dispute](https://bliptext.com/articles/cambodia-vietnam-relations) between Cambodia and Vietnam, and the [North Borneo dispute](https://bliptext.com/articles/north-borneo-dispute) between the Philippines and Malaysia.\nThe [Vietnamese invasion of Cambodia](https://bliptext.com/articles/vietnamese-invasion-of-cambodia) in 1978, backed by the Soviet Union, was not accepted by ASEAN.\nThey rejected it as a violation of the principles of regional integration.\nASEAN cooperated with US and Australia to oppose Vietnam's move and it sponsored a Cambodian resolution in the United Nations General Assembly.\nASEAN played a major role starting in 1980 in the peace process, leading to the 1991 Paris Agreement.\n\n## Relations with other blocs\n# [{{legend|#1743a6|ASEAN}}\n{{legend|#6330d5|ASEAN Plus Three}}\n{{legend|#0d675e|ASEAN Plus Six}} | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8e/ASEAN///with///Plus///3///and///Plus///6.png]\n\n### ASEAN Plus Three\nIn 1990, Malaysia proposed the creation of an [East Asia Economic Caucus](https://bliptext.com/articles/east-asia-economic-caucus) composed of the members of ASEAN, China, Japan, and South Korea.\nIt intended to counterbalance the growing US influence in [Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation](https://bliptext.com/articles/asia-pacific-economic-cooperation) (APEC) and Asia as a whole.\nHowever, the proposal failed because of strong opposition from the US and Japan.\nWork for further integration continued, and the [ASEAN Plus Three](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-plus-three), consisting of ASEAN, China, Japan, and South Korea, was created in 1997.\n[ASEAN Plus Three](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-plus-three) is a forum that functions as a coordinator of co-operation between the ASEAN and the three [East Asian](https://bliptext.com/articles/east-asia) nations of China, South Korea, and Japan.\nGovernment leaders, ministers, and senior officials from the ten members of the ASEAN and the three East Asian states consult on an increasing range of issues.\nThe ASEAN Plus Three is the latest development of Southeast Asia-East Asia regional co-operation.\nIn the past, proposals, such as South Korea's call for an Asian Common Market in 1970 and Japan's 1988 suggestion for an Asian Network, have been made to bring closer regional co-operation.\nThe first leaders' meetings were held in 1996, and 1997 to deal with [Asia–Europe Meeting](https://bliptext.com/articles/asia-europe-meeting) issues, and China and Japan each wanted regular summit meetings with ASEAN members afterwards.\nThe group's significance and importance were strengthened by the [Asian Financial Crisis](https://bliptext.com/articles/asian-financial-crisis).\nIn response to the crisis, ASEAN closely cooperated with China, South Korea, and Japan.\nSince the implementation of the Joint Statement on East Asia Cooperation in 1999 at the Manila Summit, ASEAN Plus Three finance ministers have been holding periodic consultations.\nASEAN Plus Three, in establishing the [Chiang Mai Initiative](https://bliptext.com/articles/chiang-mai-initiative), has been credited as forming the basis for financial stability in Asia, the lack of such stability having contributed to the Asian Financial Crisis.\nSince the process began in 1997, ASEAN Plus Three has also focused on subjects other than finance such as the areas of food and energy security, financial co-operation, trade facilitation, disaster management, people-to-people contacts, narrowing the development gap, rural development, and poverty alleviation, human trafficking, labour movement, communicable diseases, environment and sustainable development, and [transnational crime](https://bliptext.com/articles/transnational-crime), including counter-terrorism.\nWith the aim of further strengthening the nations' co-operation, East Asia Vision Group (EAVG) II was established at the 13th ASEAN Plus Three Summit on 29 October 2010 in [Hanoi](https://bliptext.com/articles/hanoi) to stock-take, review, and identify the future direction of the co-operation.\nThe ASEAN Plus Three framework also serves as a platform for the ASEAN affiliated intergovernmental organizations in China, Korea, and Japan to meet and cooperate.\nThe [ASEAN-China Centre](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-china-centre), the [ASEAN-Japan Centre](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-japan-centre), and [ASEAN-Korea Centre](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-korea-centre) currently convene annually to discuss ongoing projects and to discuss possible areas of cooperation vis-a-vis ASEAN.\n\n### ASEAN Plus Six\nASEAN Plus Three was the first of attempts for further integration to improve existing ties of Southeast Asia with [East Asian](https://bliptext.com/articles/east-asia) countries of China, Japan and South Korea.\nThis was followed by the even larger [East Asia Summit](https://bliptext.com/articles/east-asia-summit) (EAS), which included ASEAN Plus Three as well as India, Australia, and New Zealand.\nThis group acted as a prerequisite for the planned [East Asia Community](https://bliptext.com/articles/east-asia-community) which was supposedly patterned after the [European Community](https://bliptext.com/articles/european-community) (now transformed into the [European Union](https://bliptext.com/articles/european-union)).\nThe [ASEAN Eminent Persons Group](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-eminent-persons-group) was created to study this policy's possible successes and failures.\nThe group became ASEAN Plus Six with Australia, New Zealand, and India, and stands as the linchpin of [Asia Pacific](https://bliptext.com/articles/asia-pacific)'s economic, political, security, socio-cultural architecture, as well as the global economy.\nCodification of the relations between these countries has seen progress through the development of the [Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership](https://bliptext.com/articles/regional-comprehensive-economic-partnership), a free-trade agreement involving the 15 countries of ASEAN Plus Six (excluding India).\nRCEP would, in part, allow the members to protect local sectors and give more time to comply with the aim for developed country members.\n[India](https://bliptext.com/articles/india) temporarily does not join the RCEP for the protection of its own market, but Japan, China, and ASEAN welcomes [India](https://bliptext.com/articles/india)'s participation.\n[Taiwan](https://bliptext.com/articles/taiwan) has been excluded from participating with the organization owing to China's influence on the [Asia Pacific](https://bliptext.com/articles/asia-pacific) through its economic and diplomatic influence.\n\n# Environment\nAt the turn of the 21st century, ASEAN began to discuss environmental agreements.\nThese included the signing of the [ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-agreement-on-transboundary-haze-pollution) in 2002 as an attempt to control haze pollution in Southeast Asia, arguably the region's most high-profile environmental issue.\nUnfortunately, this was unsuccessful due to the outbreaks of haze in [2005](https://bliptext.com/articles/2005-malaysian-haze), [2006](https://bliptext.com/articles/2006-southeast-asian-haze), [2009](https://bliptext.com/articles/2009-southeast-asian-haze), [2013](https://bliptext.com/articles/2013-southeast-asian-haze), and [2015](https://bliptext.com/articles/2015-southeast-asian-haze).\nAs of 2015, thirteen years after signing the [ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-agreement-on-transboundary-haze-pollution), the situation with respect to the long term issue of [Southeast Asian haze](https://bliptext.com/articles/southeast-asian-haze) had not changed for 50% of the ASEAN member states, and still remained as a crisis every two years during summer and fall.\nTrash dumping from foreign countries (such as Japan and Canada) to ASEAN has yet to be discussed and resolved.\nImportant issues include [deforestation](https://bliptext.com/articles/deforestation) (with Indonesia recorded the largest loss of forest in the region, more than other member states combined in the 2001–2013 period ), plastic waste dumping (5 member states were among the top 10 out of 192 countries based on 2010 data, with Indonesia ranked as second worst polluter ), threatened mammal species (Indonesia ranked the worst in the region with 184 species under threat ), threatened fish species (Indonesia ranked the worst in the region ), threatened (higher) plant species (Malaysia ranked the worst in the region ).\nASEAN's aggregate economy is one of the fastest growing in the world.\nIt is expected to grow by 4.6% in 2019, and 4.8% in 2020, but at the cost of the release about 1.5 billion tonnes of [CO2](https://bliptext.com/articles/carbon-dioxide) to the atmosphere every year.\nThat makes ASEAN a greater source of [greenhouse gas emissions](https://bliptext.com/articles/greenhouse-gas-emissions) than Japan (1.3 billion tonnes per year) or Germany (796 million tonnes per year).\nIt is the only region in the world where coal is expected to increase its share of the [energy mix](https://bliptext.com/articles/energy-mix).\nAccording to the [International Energy Agency](https://bliptext.com/articles/international-energy-agency) (IEA), \"Since 2000 [ASEAN's] overall energy demand has grown by more than 80% and the lion's share of this growth has been met by a doubling in [fossil fuel](https://bliptext.com/articles/fossil-fuel) use,... Oil is the largest element in the regional energy mix and coal, largely for power generation, has been the fastest growing.\"\nASEAN has been criticized for not doing enough to [mitigate climate change](https://bliptext.com/articles/climate-change-mitigation) although it is the world's most vulnerable region in terms of [climate impact](https://bliptext.com/articles/climate-change-in-southeast-asia).\nASEAN has many opportunities for [renewable energy](https://bliptext.com/articles/renewable-energy).\nWith [solar](https://bliptext.com/articles/solar-power) and [wind power](https://bliptext.com/articles/wind-power) plus off river pumped hydro storage, ASEAN electricity industry could achieve very high penetration (78%–97%) of domestic [solar](https://bliptext.com/articles/solar-power) and wind energy resources at a competitive levelised costs of electricity range from 55 to 115 U.S. dollars per megawatt-hour based on 2020 technology costs.\nVietnam's experience in solar and wind power development provides relevant implications for the other ASEAN countries.\nThe proposed [ASEAN Power Grid](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-power-grid) could allow for renewable energy transmission from large producers like [Vietnam](https://bliptext.com/articles/vietnam) to others within ASEAN.\n# [Haze over Borneo, 2006 | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/58/Borneo///fires///October///2006.jpg]\n# [Greenhouse gas emissions per capita of different ASEAN countries. | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/22/Asean-co2-emissions-per-capita.png]\n# [Solar irradiance map of South and Southeast Asia, showing the high potential of solar power in ASEAN. | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/23/SolarGIS-Solar-map-South-And-South-East-Asia-en.png]\n\n# Energy transition\nThe ASEAN has initiated its transition to cleaner energy sources.\nThis transition is characterized as Demanding, Doable, and Dependent.\nWith approximately 679 million inhabitants, the region is witnessing a substantial surge in energy demand, projected to triple by 2050.\nHowever, transitioning energy sources requires significant resources.\nSoutheast Asia would need to invest USD 27 billion annually in renewable energy to achieve the target of 23% renewables in the primary energy supply by 2025.\nNevertheless, this goal is attainable with the implementation of appropriate policies.\nVietnam serves as a compelling example of rapid adoption of solar and wind energy.\nSince 2019, Vietnam has emerged as a regional leader, with solar and wind energy accounting for 13% of its electricity mix in 2022, a remarkable increase from nearly zero in 2017.\nThe region requires international assistance to meet its net-zero emission targets.\nPhasing out coal remains a daunting task, although countries such as Indonesia and Vietnam have pledged to phasing out coal power by 2040s.\nSeveral high profile leaders such as the head of the Indonesian national energy company [PLN](https://bliptext.com/articles/perusahaan-listrik-negara), [Darmawan Prasodjo](https://bliptext.com/articles/darmawan-prasodjo), have stated that the [ASEAN Power Grid](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-power-grid) proposal is key to unlocking the potential for green energy in southeast Asia.\n# [Key features of energy transition in Southeast Asia | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f9/Key///features///of///energy///transition///in///Southeast///Asia.png]\n\n# Education\nTo enhance the region's status in education, ASEAN education ministers have agreed four priorities for education at all levels, promoting ASEAN awareness among ASEAN citizens, particularly youth, strengthening ASEAN identity through education, building ASEAN human resources in the field of education strengthening the [ASEAN University Network](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-university-network).\nAt the 11th ASEAN Summit in December 2005, leaders set new direction for regional education collaboration when they welcomed the decision of the ASEAN education ministers to convene meetings on a regular basis.\nThe annual ASEAN Education Ministers Meeting oversees co-operation efforts on education at the ministerial level.\nWith regard to implementation, programs, and activities are carried out by the ASEAN Senior Officials on Education (SOM-ED).\nSOM-ED also manages co-operation on [higher education](https://bliptext.com/articles/higher-education) through the [ASEAN University Network](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-university-network) (AUN).\nIt is a consortium of [Southeast Asian](https://bliptext.com/articles/southeast-asia) tertiary institutions of which 30 currently belong as participating universities.\nFounded in November 1995 by 11 universities, the AUN was established to: promote co-operation among ASEAN scholars, academics, and scientists, develop academic and professional human resources, promote information dissemination among the ASEAN academic community, enhance awareness of a regional identity and the sense of \"ASEAN-ness\" among member states.\nIn November 2011, ten vocational schools and centers were established in China to help develop human resources to assist in the economic and social development of the ASEAN countries.\nASEAN also has a [scholarship](https://bliptext.com/articles/scholarship) program offered by Singapore to the 9 other member states for secondary school, junior college, and university education.\nIt covers accommodation, food, medical benefits and accident insurance, school fees, and examination fees.\nIts recipients, who perform well on the [GCE Advanced Level](https://bliptext.com/articles/gce-advanced-level) Examination, may apply for ASEAN undergraduate scholarships, which are tailored specifically to undergraduate institutions in Singapore and other ASEAN member countries.\n'Australia for ASEAN' scholarships are also offered by the [Australian Government](https://bliptext.com/articles/australian-government) to the 'next generation of leaders' from ASEAN member states.\nBy undertaking a [Master's degree](https://bliptext.com/articles/master-s-degree), recipients are to develop the skills and knowledge to drive change, help build links with Australia, and also participate in the Indo-Pacific Emerging Leaders Program to help develop the ASEAN Outlook for the Indo-Pacific.\nEach ASEAN member state is able to receive ten 'Australia for ASEAN' scholarships.\n\n# Culture\nThe organization hosts cultural activities in an attempt to further integrate the region.\nThese include sports and educational activities as well as writing awards.\nExamples of these include the [ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-centre-for-biodiversity), [ASEAN Heritage Parks](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-heritage-parks) and the [ASEAN Outstanding Scientist and Technologist Award](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-outstanding-scientist-and-technologist-award).\nIn addition, the ASEAN region has been recognized as one of the world's most diverse regions ethnically, religiously and linguistically.\n\n## Media\nMember states have promoted co-operation in information to help build an ASEAN identity.\nOne of the main bodies in ASEAN co-operation in information is the ASEAN Committee on Culture and Information (COCI).\nEstablished in 1978, its mission is to promote effective co-operation in the fields of information, as well as culture, through its various projects and activities.\nIt includes representatives from national institutions like the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministries of Culture and Information, national radio and television networks, museums, archives and libraries, among others.\nTogether, they meet once a year to formulate and agree on projects to fulfil their mission.\nOn 14 November 2014, foreign ministers of member states launched the ASEAN Communication Master Plan (ACPM).\nIt provides a framework for communicating the character, structure, and overall vision of ASEAN and the ASEAN community to key audiences within the region and globally.\nASEAN Media Cooperation (AMC) sets digital television standards and policies in preparation for broadcasters to transition from analogue to digital broadcasting.\nThis collaboration was conceptualised during the 11th ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Information (AMRI) Conference in Malaysia on 1 March 2012 where a consensus declared that both new and traditional media were keys to connecting ASEAN peoples and bridging cultural gaps in the region.\nSeveral key initiatives under the AMC include:\n# [The flags of the ASEAN member states in Jakarta, Indonesia | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/59/ASEAN///Nations///Flags///in///Jakarta///3.jpg]\n\n### National public/state-owned radio and television networks of ASEAN\n\n## Music\nMusic plays a significant role in ASEAN affairs, as evidenced by the new music composed for, and to be performed at, the 34th ASEAN Summit in Bangkok in June 2019.\nSince ASEAN's founding, a number of songs have been written for the regional alliance:\n\n# Sports\nThe main sporting event of ASEAN is the Southeast Asian Games, a biennial meet of athletes from the ten member-states.\nA non-member state Timor-Leste (also known as East Timor) is now participating the SEA Games.\n\n## Games events\n\n## Championships events\n\n# Global influence and reception\nASEAN has been credited by many as among the world's most influential organisations and a global powerhouse.\nThe organisation plays a prominent role in regional and international diplomacy, politics, security, economy and trade.\nThe [ASEAN Free Trade Area](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-free-trade-area) also stands as one of the largest and most important free trade areas in the world, and together with its network of dialogue partners, drove some of the world's largest multilateral forums and blocs, including [APEC](https://bliptext.com/articles/asia-pacific-economic-cooperation), [EAS](https://bliptext.com/articles/east-asia-summit) and [RCEP](https://bliptext.com/articles/regional-comprehensive-economic-partnership).\nBeing one of the world's forefront political, economic and security meetings, the [ASEAN Summit](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-summit) serves as a prominent regional (Asia) and international (worldwide) conference, with world leaders attending its related summits and meetings to discuss about various problems and global issues, strengthening cooperation, and making decisions.\nCritics have charged ASEAN with weakly promoting human rights and democracy, particularly in junta-led Myanmar.\nSome scholars think that non-interference has hindered ASEAN efforts to handle the Myanmar issue, human rights abuse, and haze pollution in the area.\nDespite global outrage at the military crack-down on unarmed protesters in Yangon, ASEAN has refused to suspend Myanmar as a member and also rejects proposals for economic sanctions.\nThis has caused concern as the European Union has refused to conduct free trade negotiations at a regional level for these political reasons.\nDuring a UN vote against the ethnic cleansing of [Rohingya](https://bliptext.com/articles/rohingya), most member states voted to either abstain or against the condemnation.\nOnly the Muslim-majority countries Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei voted to condemn the cleansing of Rohingya.\nSome international observers view ASEAN as a \"talk shop\", stating that the organisation is: \"big on words, but small on action\".\n\"ASEAN policies have proven to be mostly rhetoric, rather than actual implementation\", according to Pokpong Lawansiri, a Bangkok-based independent analyst of ASEAN.\n\"It has been noted that less than 50% of ASEAN agreements are actually implemented, while ASEAN holds more than six hundred meetings annually\".\nThe head of the [International Institute of Strategic Studies](https://bliptext.com/articles/international-institute-of-strategic-studies), Tim Huxley, cites the diverse political systems present in the grouping, including many young states, as a barrier to far-reaching co-operation beyond economics.\nHe also asserts that, without an external threat to rally against after the [Cold War](https://bliptext.com/articles/cold-war) ended, ASEAN has less successfully restrained its members and resolved such border disputes as those between Myanmar and Thailand or Indonesia and Malaysia.\nDuring the 12th ASEAN Summit in [Cebu](https://bliptext.com/articles/metro-cebu), several activist groups staged [anti-globalisation](https://bliptext.com/articles/anti-globalisation) protests, arguing that the agenda of economic integration would negatively affect industries in the Philippines and would deprive thousands of Filipinos of their jobs.\nCorruption remains a widespread issue, as \"tea money\" remains an important requirement to grease business transactions and to receive public services.\nFollowing the release of the [Corruption Perceptions Index](https://bliptext.com/articles/corruption-perceptions-index) 2015 by Berlin-based graft watchdog Transparency International on 27 January, its Asia Pacific director, Srirak Plipat, noted that: \"if there was one common challenge to unite the Asia-Pacific region, it would be corruption\", noting that: \"from campaign pledges to media coverage to civil society forums, corruption dominates the discussion. Yet despite all this talk, there's little sign of action.\"\n\n## Economic integration\nThe group's integration plan has raised concerns, in particular, the 2015 deadline.\nBusiness and economy experts who attended the Lippo-UPH Dialogue in [Naypyidaw](https://bliptext.com/articles/naypyidaw) cited unresolved issues relating to aviation, agriculture, and human resources.\nSome panelists, among them, [Kishore Mahbubani](https://bliptext.com/articles/kishore-mahbubani), warned against high expectations at the onset.\nHe stated: \"Please do not expect a big bang event in 2015 where everything is going to happen overnight when the ASEAN Economic Community comes into being. We've made progress in some areas and unfortunately regressed in some areas.\"\nSome panelists enumerated other matters to be dealt with for a successful launch.\nAmong them were the communications issues involving the 600 million citizens living in the region, increasing understanding in business, current visa arrangements, demand for specific skills, banking connections, and economic differences.\nFormer Philippine [National Statistical Coordination Board](https://bliptext.com/articles/philippine-statistics-authority) (NSCB) Secretary General Romulo A. Virola, said in 2012 that the Philippines seems unready to benefit from the integration due to its \"wobbly\" economic performance compared to other member states.\nAccording to Virola, the Philippines continues to lag behind in terms of employment rate, tourism, life expectancy, and cellular subscriptions.\nNestor Tan, head of [BDO Unibank Inc.](https://bliptext.com/articles/bdo-unibank), said that while some businesses see the Asian Economic Blueprint (AEC) as an opportunity, the integration would be more of a threat to local firms.\nTan added that protecting the Philippines' agricultural and financial services sectors, as well as the labour sector, would be necessary for the implementation of AEC by 2015.\n[Standard & Poor's](https://bliptext.com/articles/standard-poor-s) also believed that banks in the Philippines are not yet prepared for the tougher competition that would result from the integration.\nIn one of its latest publications, S&P said banks in the country, although profitable and stable, operate on a much smaller scale than their counterparts in the region.\nThe [US Chamber of Commerce](https://bliptext.com/articles/us-chamber-of-commerce) has highlighted widespread concern that the much-anticipated AEC could not be launched by the 2015 deadline.\nIn January 2014, former ASEAN Secretary-General Rodolfo C. Severino, wrote: \"while ASEAN should not be condemned for its members' failure to make good on their commitments, any failure to deliver will likely lead to a loss of credibility and could mean that member states fall further behind in the global competition for export markets and [foreign direct investment](https://bliptext.com/articles/foreign-direct-investment) (FDI)\".\nIn 2012, the commencement of the AEC was postponed to 31 December 2015 from the original plan of 1 January.\nDespite Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan's firm reassurance that \"[t]here will be no more delays and that all ten ASEAN countries will participate\", even the most fervent proponents of AEC worried that AEC would not be delivered on time as December 2015 neared.\nAn article published by [Vietnam News](https://bliptext.com/articles/vietnam-news) echoed some of the challenges and opportunities that Vietnam faces in preparation for the AEC.\nThe article said that the deputy head of the [Ministry of Industry and Trade](https://bliptext.com/articles/ministry-of-industry-and-trade-vietnam), Tran Thanh Hai, was concerned about local enterprises' lack of knowledge of the AEC.\nIt was said that 80% of local enterprises surveyed acknowledged that they have little information about the interests and challenges available for them in the ASEAN market.\nThe article also noted that the general secretary of the Vietnam Steel Association, Chu Duc Khai, said that most of the local steel making enterprises lack information about doing business in the ASEAN market; they have not had a chance to study it, and have only exported small amounts of steel to ASEAN countries.\nAnother challenge is the need to compete with other countries in the ASEAN market to export raw products since the country had mainly exported raw products.\nThe [Asian Development Bank](https://bliptext.com/articles/asian-development-bank) also has doubts about Cambodia's ability to meet the AEC deadline.\nThe leading economist of ADB, Jayant Menon, said that Cambodia needs to speed up its customs reform and to press ahead with automating processes to reduce trade costs and minimise the opportunities for corruption and be ready for the implementation of its National Single Window by 2015.\nDespite an ASEAN Economic Community goal of significant economic integration as laid out in the AEC Blueprint 2025, ASEAN continues to face challenges towards integration.\nA report published by the Asian Trade Centre in 2019 identified multiple sectors that face challenges towards integration due to non-tariff barriers that still exist in the region.\nThe report stated that the goals of the AEC 2025 would not be accomplished if ASEAN fails to address the issues of non-tariff measures and eliminate non-tariff barriers in the region.\n\n# Security\nASEAN is recognized by its members to be one of the main forums to discuss security issues; based on the principles in its [charter](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-charter), its main aim is to provide an environment of common understanding and cooperation between the member states to \"respond effectively to all forms of threats, transitional crimes and transboundary challenges\".\nAccordingly, ASEAN has embraced the idea of cooperative security which means that ASEAN's approach to security issues is through confidence-building measures and transparency for reducing the tension and conflict between its members.\nSecurity policies and plans are concerted by the ASEAN Political-Security Community to envision \"a concert of Southeast Asian nations, outward looking, living in peace, stability and prosperity, bonded together in partnership in dynamic development and in a community of caring societies.\"\n\n## Piracy\n[Piracy in the strait of Malacca](https://bliptext.com/articles/piracy-in-the-strait-of-malacca) and in the Sulu and Celebes Sea is one of the main non-traditional security threats for the region, it has challenged the capacity of its members to ensure coordination of effective policy actions to reduce this phenomenon.\nAs highlighted by the [ReCAAP](https://bliptext.com/articles/recaap) report of 2020: \"The increase of incidents (in Asia) during January–June 2020 occurred in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, South China Sea and Singapore Strait.\"\nThe increment of incidents during 2020, have raised alerts in the region as the phenomenon of piracy could be fostered by the social consequences of the [COVID-19 pandemic](https://bliptext.com/articles/covid-19-pandemic), in their Fourteenth Asean Ministerial Meeting On Transnational Crime the ministers agreed that ASEAN should embrace a greater commitment to strengthen the measures in combating transnational crime in the context of the pandemic.\nDespite this statement, ASEAN has not updated their plans for combating piracy, although member states created and enforced the [Maritime Security Plan of Action 2018-2020](https://bliptext.com/articles/maritime-security-plan-of-action-2018-2020), to address the national legal enforcement capacities and creating a common protocol of action to counter piracy allowing the region to cooperate for ensuring the security of the Pacific Ocean, new discussions and agendas for new measures has not been enforced yet.\nAccordingly, this plan reinforces the necessity to secure the seas due to the importance of this region geographical and economically, its strategic position as the main link between the Indian and the Pacific Ocean and the region serving as the main passage that connects middle east economies and India with China, Japan, South Korea and Australia.\nThis plan is mainly focused in three priorities:\nIn this sense, spread all over the countries of Southeast Asia, criminal organizations with complex structures pose a challenge to ASEAN's coordination capacity to solve the problem despite the plans created within its institutional framework.\nAlthough some measures have been implemented by ASEAN, still the complexity of the problem requires deep solutions of cooperation that might alter the balance of its framework.\nThe maritime security plans for the region are based on the ASEAN idea of political-security community; the two main objectives of the APSC are: \"to accelerate the economic growth, social progress and cultural development by promoting an identity of equality and partnership as the main foundations of peace and prosperity\".\nAdditionally, the APSC promotes \"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\".\nNonetheless, the institutional framework and decision-making procedures in ASEAN make difficult to reach agreements on piracy.\nASEAN has struggled to deliver a coordinated response to solve this problem in the region mainly by two reasons: the first one, could be related to the focalized nature of the problem in subregions rather than the whole region.\nConsequently, this focalization generates that the discussions in the main forums (The ASEAN maritime forum (AMF) and Maritime Security Expert Working Group (MSEWG)) have not resulted in actual measures that tackle piracy and involve all member states as major consensus should be reached to enforce them.\nOne example of this, is the possibility discussed by the 10 ASEAN member states to create a joint ASEAN navy in 2015 to carry on operations in one of the piracy hotspots in the region, the strait of Malacca, this proposal ended up being enforced by bilateral/sub-regional efforts rather than in the ASEAN framework (see [ReCAAP](https://bliptext.com/articles/recaap) for further information).\nThe second one, consensus on non-traditional security issues has been difficult to reach due to contradictory interest between member states, particularly in joint operations between navies and the reach of these joint operations.\nThese issues are generated mainly by unresolved territorial disputes, specially in the maritime domain, at some extent they pose a challenge to ASEAN members in their capacity to cooperate in regards to the [maritime security](https://bliptext.com/articles/maritime-security) approach.\nConsequently, a greater multilateral cooperation has been pushed by the members to solve the piracy challenges on economy, trading and security.\nMembers of the ASEAN, have addressed the necessity for the regional organization to make some concessions and rearrangements to respond to the challenges that non-traditional security (specifically piracy) issues posse to the security of the ASEAN members.\nDespite the efforts and plans made by the ASEAN, this organization is expected to overcome the image of being regarded solely as a forum to discuss security issues.\nTwo possible solutions has been proposed by some member states for this purpose: 1.\nPromoting relationships with other major actors regionally to overcome the short-time challenges and 2.\nRearrange the institutional framework to \"avoid contention and seek cooperation to maximize the aggregate ability in order to benefit from making the sea fulfil its economic, security and other goals\".\n\n## Future Security Framework\nIn addition to CBT there are several significant issues facing ASEAN today, including human rights violations, repression, and democratic backsliding.\nAcross the region, various political leaders are known human rights abusers, however there is no proper accountability process, and often human rights violations are sidelined by economic or political interests.\nMyanmar is in the midst of a devastating civil war, during which the military government that was installed following a coup d’état, has carried out horrendous human rights violations against the Rohingya population.","current_revision":"802ff906-c6b2-42f6-a110-5760e9727267","created_by":"kACnuQmH5k9Nr5VNVEpVeg7XpvUmMctD","created_at":"2025-01-25T17:57:17.122Z","updated_at":"2025-11-11T12:48:29.510Z","search_vector":"'asean':1","search_content":" \n**Subbox:** yes \n**Bodystyle:** font-size:77%;font-weight:normal; \n**Rowclass 1:** mergedrow \n**Label 1:** [Burmese](https://bliptext.com/articles/burmese-language): \n**Data 1:** အရှေ့တောင်အာရှနိုင်ငံများအသင်း aashaetaungaarsh ninenganmyarr aahpwal \n**Rowclass 2:** mergedrow \n**Label 2:** [Filipino](https://bliptext.com/articles/filipino-language): \n**Data 2:** Samahán ng mga Bansâ sa Timog Silangang Asya \n**Rowclass 4:** mergedrow \n**Label 4:** [Indonesian](https://bliptext.com/articles/indonesian-language): \n**Data 4:** Perhimpunan Bangsa-bangsa Asia Tenggara \n**Rowclass 5:** mergedrow \n**Label 5:** [Khmer](https://bliptext.com/articles/khmer-language): \n**Data 5:** សមាគមប្រជាជាតិអាស៊ីអាគ្នេយ៍ Samāgam Prajājāti ʿʹāsʹī ʿʹāgney ̊ \n**Rowclass 6:** mergedrow \n**Label 6:** [Lao](https://bliptext.com/articles/lao-language): \n**Data 6:** ສະມາຄົມປະຊາຊາດແຫ່ງອາຊີຕະເວັນອອກສຽງໃຕ້ samakhom pasasad aehng asi tauaen ksiang tai \n**Rowclass 7:** mergedrow \n**Label 7:** [Malay(sian)](https://bliptext.com/articles/malaysian-malay): \n**Data 7:** Persatuan Negara-negara Asia Tenggara \n**Rowclass 8:** mergedrow \n**Label 8:** [Mandarin](https://bliptext.com/articles/singaporean-mandarin): \n**Data 8:** 亚细安组织 · 东南亚国家联盟 · 東南亞國家協會 ''Yàxì'ān zǔzhī · Dōngnányà guójiā liánméng · Dōngnányà guójiā xiéhuì'' \n**Rowclass 9:** mergedrow \n**Label 9:** [Tamil](https://bliptext.com/articles/tamil-language): \n**Data 9:** தென்கிழக்காசிய நாடுகளின் கூட்டமைப்பு Teṉkiḻakkāciya nāṭukaḷiṉ kūṭṭamaippu \n**Rowclass 1 0:** mergedrow \n**Label 1 0:** [Thai](https://bliptext.com/articles/thai-language): \n**Data 1 0:** สมาคมประชาชาติแห่งเอเชียตะวันออกเฉียงใต้ S̄mākhm prachāchāti h̄æ̀ng xecheīy khwām yĕn \n**Rowclass 1 1:** mergedrow \n**Label 1 1:** [Vietnamese](https://bliptext.com/articles/vietnamese-language): \n**Data 1 1:** Hiệp hội các quốc gia Đông Nam Á \n \n\n# \nThe **Association of [Southeast Asia](https://bliptext.com/articles/southeast-asia)n Nations**, commonly abbreviated as **ASEAN**, is a [political](https://bliptext.com/articles/political-union) and [economic union](https://bliptext.com/articles/economic-union) of 10 [states](https://bliptext.com/articles/sovereign-state) in [Southeast Asia](https://bliptext.com/articles/southeast-asia).\nTogether, its member states represent a population of more than 600 million people and land area of over 4.5 e6km2.\nThe bloc generated a [purchasing power parity](https://bliptext.com/articles/purchasing-power-parity) (PPP) [gross domestic product](https://bliptext.com/articles/gross-domestic-product) (GDP) of around US$10.2trillion in 2022, constituting approximately 6.5% of global [GDP (PPP)](https://bliptext.com/articles/list-of-countries-by-gdp-ppp).\nASEAN member states include some of the fastest growing economies in the world, and the institution plays an integral role in East Asian regionalism.\nThe primary objectives of ASEAN, as stated by the association, are \"to accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region\", and \"to promote regional peace and stability through abiding respect for justice and the rule of law in the relationship among countries in the region and adherence to the principles of the [United Nations Charter](https://bliptext.com/articles/charter-of-the-united-nations).\"\nIn recent years, the bloc has broadened its objectives beyond economic and social spheres.\nASEAN engages with other supranational entities in the [Asia-Pacific](https://bliptext.com/articles/asia-pacific) region and other parts of the world.\nIt is a major partner of the [UN](https://bliptext.com/articles/united-nations), [SCO](https://bliptext.com/articles/shanghai-cooperation-organisation), [PA](https://bliptext.com/articles/pacific-alliance), [GCC](https://bliptext.com/articles/gulf-cooperation-council), [MERCOSUR](https://bliptext.com/articles/mercosur), [CELAC](https://bliptext.com/articles/community-of-latin-american-and-caribbean-states), and [ECO](https://bliptext.com/articles/economic-cooperation-organization), It also hosts diplomatic missions throughout the world, maintaining a global network of relationships that is widely regarded as the central forum for cooperation in the region.\nIts success has become the driving force of some of the largest trade blocs in history, including [APEC](https://bliptext.com/articles/asia-pacific-economic-cooperation) and [RCEP](https://bliptext.com/articles/regional-comprehensive-economic-partnership).\n# [ASEAN headquarters in Jakarta | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7d/ASEAN///HQ///1.jpg]\n\n# History\n\n## Founding\nThe predecessor of ASEAN was the Association of Southeast Asia (ASA), formed on 31 July 1961 and consisting of [Thailand](https://bliptext.com/articles/thailand), the [Philippines](https://bliptext.com/articles/philippines), and [Malaya](https://bliptext.com/articles/federation-of-malaya).\nASEAN itself was created on 8 August 1967, when the [foreign ministers](https://bliptext.com/articles/foreign-minister) of five countries—[Indonesia](https://bliptext.com/articles/indonesia), [Malaysia](https://bliptext.com/articles/malaysia), the [Philippines](https://bliptext.com/articles/philippines), [Singapore](https://bliptext.com/articles/singapore), and [Thailand](https://bliptext.com/articles/thailand)—signed the [ASEAN Declaration](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-declaration).\nAccording to the Declaration, ASEAN aims to accelerate economic, social, and cultural development in the region, as well as promoting regional peace, to collaborate on matters of shared interest, and to promote [Southeast Asian studies](https://bliptext.com/articles/southeast-asian-studies) and maintain close cooperation with existing international organisations.\nThe creation of ASEAN was initially motivated by [the desire to contain communism](https://bliptext.com/articles/anti-communism), which had taken a foothold in mainland Asia after [World War II](https://bliptext.com/articles/world-war-ii), with the formation of communist governments in [North Korea](https://bliptext.com/articles/north-korea), China, and [Vietnam](https://bliptext.com/articles/north-vietnam), accompanied by the so-called communist \"emergency\" in [British Malaya](https://bliptext.com/articles/british-malaya), and unrest in the recently decolonized [Philippines](https://bliptext.com/articles/philippines).\nThese events also encouraged the earlier formation of the [South East Asia Treaty Organization](https://bliptext.com/articles/south-east-asia-treaty-organization) (SEATO), led by the [United States](https://bliptext.com/articles/united-states), [United Kingdom](https://bliptext.com/articles/united-kingdom), and [Australia](https://bliptext.com/articles/australia), with several Southeast Asian partners in 1954 as an extension of \"containment\" policy, seeking to create an Eastern version of [NATO](https://bliptext.com/articles/nato).\nHowever, the local member states of ASEAN group achieved greater cohesion in the mid-1970s following a change in the balance of power after the fall of Saigon and the end of the [Vietnam War](https://bliptext.com/articles/vietnam-war) in April 1975 and the decline of SEATO.\nASEAN's first summit meeting, held in [Bali](https://bliptext.com/articles/bali), [Indonesia](https://bliptext.com/articles/indonesia), in 1976, resulted in an agreement on several industrial projects and the signing of a [Treaty of Amity and Cooperation](https://bliptext.com/articles/treaty-of-amity-and-cooperation-in-southeast-asia), and a Declaration of Concord.\nThe end of the [Cold War](https://bliptext.com/articles/cold-war) allowed ASEAN countries to exercise greater political independence in the region, and in the 1990s, ASEAN emerged as a leading voice on [regional trade](https://bliptext.com/articles/regional-trade) and security issues.\nOn 15 December 1995, the [Southeast Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty](https://bliptext.com/articles/southeast-asian-nuclear-weapon-free-zone-treaty) was signed to turn Southeast Asia into a [nuclear-weapon-free zone](https://bliptext.com/articles/nuclear-weapon-free-zone).\nThe treaty took effect on 28 March 1997 after all but one of the member states had ratified it.\nIt became fully effective on 21 June 2001 after the Philippines ratified it, effectively banning all nuclear weapons in the region.\n\n## Expansion\nOn 7 January 1984, [Brunei](https://bliptext.com/articles/brunei) became ASEAN's sixth member and on 28 July 1995, following the end of the [Cold War](https://bliptext.com/articles/cold-war), [Vietnam](https://bliptext.com/articles/vietnam) joined as the seventh member.\n[Laos](https://bliptext.com/articles/laos) and [Myanmar](https://bliptext.com/articles/myanmar) (formerly Burma) joined two years later on 23 July 1997.\n[Cambodia](https://bliptext.com/articles/cambodia) was to join at the same time as [Laos](https://bliptext.com/articles/laos) and [Myanmar](https://bliptext.com/articles/myanmar), but a [Cambodia](https://bliptext.com/articles/cambodia)n coup in 1997 and other internal instability delayed its entry.\nIt then joined on 30 April 1999 following the stabilization of its government.\nIn 2006, ASEAN was given [observer status at the United Nations General Assembly](https://bliptext.com/articles/united-nations-general-assembly-observers).\nIn response, the organization awarded the status of \"dialogue partner\" to the UN.\n\n## Commonality\nBesides their close geographic proximity, political scholars consider [Southeast Asian](https://bliptext.com/articles/southeast-asia) nations a cultural crossroads between [East Asia](https://bliptext.com/articles/east-asia) and [South Asia](https://bliptext.com/articles/south-asia), located at critical junctions of the [South China Sea](https://bliptext.com/articles/south-china-sea) as well as the [Indian Ocean](https://bliptext.com/articles/indian-ocean), and as a result received much influence from [Islamic](https://bliptext.com/articles/arabic) and [Persian](https://bliptext.com/articles/persians) influences prior to the [European](https://bliptext.com/articles/europe) colonial ages.\nSince around 100 BCE, the Southeast Asian archipelago occupied a central position at the crossroads of the [Indian Ocean](https://bliptext.com/articles/indian-ocean) and the [South China Sea](https://bliptext.com/articles/south-china-sea) trading routes, which stimulated the economy and the influx of ideas.\nThis included the introduction of [abugida scripts](https://bliptext.com/articles/abugida) to Southeast Asia as well as the [Chinese script](https://bliptext.com/articles/ch-n-m) to [Vietnam](https://bliptext.com/articles/literary-chinese-in-vietnam).\nBesides various indigenous scripts, various abugida [Brahmic scripts](https://bliptext.com/articles/brahmic-scripts) were widespread in both continental and insular Southeast Asia.\nHistorically, scripts such as [Pallava](https://bliptext.com/articles/pallava-script), [Kawi](https://bliptext.com/articles/kawi-script) (from ancient [Tamil](https://bliptext.com/articles/tamil-language) script) and [Rencong](https://bliptext.com/articles/rencong-script) or Surat Ulu were used to write [Old Malay](https://bliptext.com/articles/old-malay), until they were replaced by [Jawi](https://bliptext.com/articles/jawi-script) during [Islamic](https://bliptext.com/articles/islam) [missionary](https://bliptext.com/articles/missionary) missions in the [Malay Archipelago](https://bliptext.com/articles/malay-archipelago).\n[European colonialism](https://bliptext.com/articles/european-colonial) influenced most ASEAN countries, including [French Indochina](https://bliptext.com/articles/french-indochina) (present-day [Vietnam](https://bliptext.com/articles/vietnam), [Laos](https://bliptext.com/articles/laos) & [Cambodia](https://bliptext.com/articles/cambodia)), [British Burma](https://bliptext.com/articles/british-rule-in-burma), [Malaya](https://bliptext.com/articles/british-malaya) and [Borneo](https://bliptext.com/articles/british-borneo) (present-day [Myanmar](https://bliptext.com/articles/myanmar), [Malaysia](https://bliptext.com/articles/malaysia) & [Singapore](https://bliptext.com/articles/singapore), and [Brunei](https://bliptext.com/articles/brunei)), [Dutch East Indies](https://bliptext.com/articles/dutch-east-indies) (present day [Indonesia](https://bliptext.com/articles/indonesia)), [Spanish East Indies](https://bliptext.com/articles/spanish-east-indies) (present-day [Philippines](https://bliptext.com/articles/philippines) and various other colonies), and [Portuguese Timor](https://bliptext.com/articles/portuguese-timor) (present-day [Timor-Leste](https://bliptext.com/articles/east-timor)), with only [Thailand](https://bliptext.com/articles/thailand) (then [Siam](https://bliptext.com/articles/siam)) not formed from a prior European colony.\nSiam served as a convenient buffer state, sandwiched between British Burma and French Indochina, but its kings had to contend with [unequal treaties](https://bliptext.com/articles/bowring-treaty) as well as British and French political interference and territorial losses after the [Franco-Siamese conflict of 1893](https://bliptext.com/articles/franco-siamese-conflict-of-1893) and the [Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909](https://bliptext.com/articles/anglo-siamese-treaty-of-1909).\nUnder European colonization, Southeast Asian nations were introduced to European religions and technologies, as well as the [Latin alphabet](https://bliptext.com/articles/latin-alphabet).\nThe [Japanese Empire](https://bliptext.com/articles/empire-of-japan), in the vein of the [Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere](https://bliptext.com/articles/greater-east-asia-co-prosperity-sphere) concept, sought to unite and create a pan-Asian identity against [Western colonial occupation](https://bliptext.com/articles/western-imperialism-in-asia), but Japan's alliance with the [Axis powers](https://bliptext.com/articles/axis-powers) in [World War II](https://bliptext.com/articles/world-war-ii) soured relations between many colonies of Europe and the United States.\nDefeat of Imperial Japan eventuated in [decolonization movements](https://bliptext.com/articles/decolonization-of-asia) throughout Southeast Asia, resulting in the independent ASEAN states of today.\n\n## The ASEAN Charter\nOn 15 December 2008, the member states met in [Jakarta](https://bliptext.com/articles/jakarta) to launch the charter signed in November 2007, to move closer to \"an [EU](https://bliptext.com/articles/european-union)-style community\".\nThe charter formally established ASEAN as a legal entity, aiming to create a single trade bloc for a region encompassing 500 million people.\nIndonesian president [Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono](https://bliptext.com/articles/susilo-bambang-yudhoyono) stated: \"This is a momentous development when ASEAN is consolidating, integrating, and transforming itself into a community. It is achieved while ASEAN seeks a more vigorous role in Asian and global affairs at a time when the international system is experiencing a seismic shift\".\nReferring to climate change and economic upheaval, he concluded: \"Southeast Asia is no longer the bitterly divided, war-torn region it was in the 1960s and 1970s\".\nThe [financial crisis of 2007–2008](https://bliptext.com/articles/financial-crisis-of-2007-2008) was seen as a threat to the charter's goals, and also set forth the idea of a proposed human rights body to be discussed at a future summit in February 2009.\nThis proposition caused controversy, as the body would not have the power to impose sanctions or punish countries which violated citizens' rights and would, therefore, be limited in effectiveness.\nThe body was established later in 2009 as the [ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-intergovernmental-commission-on-human-rights) (AICHR).\nIn November 2012, the commission adopted the [ASEAN Human Rights Declaration](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-human-rights-declaration).\nHowever, their human rights declaration has been critiqued widely by the international community, with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights stating that the declaration was worded in problematic ways that do not easily align with international norms.\nLikewise, the [Human Rights Watch](https://bliptext.com/articles/human-rights-watch) in the United States noted several important fundamental rights were omitted or not clearly established.\nThe ASEAN chair is a rotating position, currently held by [Laos](https://bliptext.com/articles/laos).\nRecent ASEAN chairs are as follows:\n\n## Public health\nIn response to pandemics, ASEAN has coordinated with ASEAN+3 and other actors to create a regional public health response.\n\n### SARS outbreak\nDuring the [SARS outbreak](https://bliptext.com/articles/2002-2004-sars-outbreak), ASEAN and ASEAN+3 worked together to devise a response to the outbreak.\nImmediate and short-to-medium term measures were devised.\nThe parties agreed to enhance sharing of best practices against the disease while also agreeing to bolster collaboration between their respective health authorities and harmonize travel procedures to ensure that proper health screening would occur.\nIn addition, China offered to contribute $1.2 million to the ASEAN SARS fund, made both to show that it was willing to cooperate with the rest of the region and make amends for its withholding of information during the initial stages of the outbreak.\n\n### H1N1 pandemic\nASEAN held a special meeting between ASEAN and ASEAN+3 health ministers on 8 May 2009, on responding to the [H1N1 pandemic](https://bliptext.com/articles/2009-swine-flu-pandemic).\nAt this meeting, it was agreed that hotlines would be established between public health authorities, joint response teams would be formed, and ongoing research efforts would be bolstered.\n\n## Myanmar crisis\nSince 2017, political, military and ethnic affairs in [Myanmar](https://bliptext.com/articles/myanmar) have posed unusual challenges for ASEAN, creating precedent-breaking situations and threatening the traditions and unity of the group, and its global standing —with ASEAN responses indicating possible fundamental change in the nature of the organization.\n\n### Rohingya genocide\nThe [Rohingya genocide](https://bliptext.com/articles/rohingya-genocide) erupting in [Myanmar](https://bliptext.com/articles/myanmar) in August 2017—killing thousands of [Rohingya people](https://bliptext.com/articles/rohingya-people) in [Myanmar](https://bliptext.com/articles/myanmar), driving most into neighboring [Bangladesh](https://bliptext.com/articles/bangladesh), and continuing for months —created a global outcry demanding ASEAN take action against the civilian-military [coalition government](https://bliptext.com/articles/coalition-government) of [Myanmar](https://bliptext.com/articles/myanmar), which had long discriminated against the Rohingya, and had launched the 2017 attacks upon them.\n \n\n### 2021 Myanmar coup\nOn 1 February 2021, the day before a newly elected slate of civilian leaders was to take office in Myanmar, a military junta overthrew Myanmar's civilian government in a [coup d'etat](https://bliptext.com/articles/2021-myanmar-coup-d-etat), declaring a national [state of emergency](https://bliptext.com/articles/state-of-emergency), imposing [martial law](https://bliptext.com/articles/martial-law), arresting elected civilian leaders, violently clamping down on dissent, and replacing civilian government with the military's appointees.\nWidespread protests and resistance erupted, and elements of the civilian leadership formed an underground \"[National Unity Government](https://bliptext.com/articles/national-unity-government-of-myanmar)\" (NUG).\nGlobal opposition to the coup emerged, and global pressure was brought on ASEAN to take action.\n \n# [Special ASEAN summit on the 2021 Myanmar coup. | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cf/2021///Special///ASEAN///Summit///on///Myanmar%27s///coup///d%27%C3%A9tat///%281%29.jpg]\n\n# Member states\n# [Map showing the member states of ASEAN | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b3/Map///of///ASEAN///member///states.svg]\n\n## List of member states\n\n## Observer states\nThere are currently two states seeking accession to ASEAN: [East Timor](https://bliptext.com/articles/east-timor) and [Papua New Guinea](https://bliptext.com/articles/papua-new-guinea).\n\n# Demographics\n, the population of the ASEAN was about 655 million people (8.5% of the world population).\nIn ASEAN in 2019, 55.2 million children were age 0–4 and 46.3 million people were older than 65.\nThis corresponds to 8.4% and 7.1% of the total ASEAN population.\nThe region's population growth is 1.1% per year.\n[Thailand](https://bliptext.com/articles/thailand) is the lowest at 0.2% per year, and [Cambodia](https://bliptext.com/articles/cambodia) is the highest at 1.9% per year.\nASEAN's sex ratio is 0.996 males per female, with 326.4 million males and 327.8 million females.\n\n## Urban\nAn urban area, built-up area or urban agglomeration is a human settlement with a high population density and an infrastructure of built environment.\nUrban areas originate through urbanization, and researchers categorize them as cities, towns, conurbations or suburbs.\nThe 20 largest metropolitan areas within ASEAN are as follows.\n\n# The ASEAN Way\nThe \"ASEAN Way\" refers to a methodology or approach to solving issues that respect Southeast Asia's cultural norms.\nMasilamani and Peterson summarise it as \"a working process or style that is informal and personal. Policymakers constantly utilise compromise, consensus, and consultation in the informal decision-making process... it above all prioritises a consensus-based, non-conflictual way of addressing problems. Quiet diplomacy allows ASEAN leaders to communicate without bringing the discussions into the public view. Members avoid the embarrassment that may lead to further conflict.\"\nIt has been said that the merits of the ASEAN Way might \"be usefully applied to global conflict management\".\nHowever, critics have argued that such an approach can be only applied to Asian countries, to specific cultural norms and understandings notably, due to a difference in mindset and level of tension.\nCritics object, claiming that the ASEAN Way's emphasis on consultation, consensus, and non-interference forces the organization to adopt only those policies which satisfy the lowest common denominator.\nDecision-making by consensus requires members to see eye-to-eye before ASEAN can move forward on an issue.\nMembers may not have a common conception of the meaning of the ASEAN Way.\nMyanmar, Cambodia, and Laos emphasize non-interference while older member countries focus on co-operation and co-ordination.\nThese differences hinder efforts to find common solutions to particular issues, but also make it difficult to determine when collective action is appropriate in a given situation.\n\n# Structure\nBeginning in 1997, heads of each member state adopted the ASEAN Vision 2020 during the group's 30th anniversary meeting held in [Kuala Lumpur](https://bliptext.com/articles/kuala-lumpur).\nAs a means for the realization of a single ASEAN community, this vision provides provisions on peace and stability, a nuclear-free region, closer economic integration, human development, sustainable development, cultural heritage, being a drug-free region, environment among others.\nThe vision also aimed to \"see an outward-looking ASEAN playing a pivotal role in the international fora, and advancing ASEAN's common interests\".\nASEAN Vision 2020 was formalized and made comprehensive through the Bali Concord II in 2003.\nThree major pillars of a single ASEAN community were established: Political-Security Community (APSC), Economic Community (AEC) and Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC).\nTo fully embody the three pillars as part of the 2015 integration, blueprints for APSC and ASCC were subsequently adopted in 2009 in [Cha-am](https://bliptext.com/articles/cha-am), Thailand.\nThe ASEAN Community, initially planned to commence by 2020, was accelerated to begin by 31 December 2015.\nIt was decided during the 12th ASEAN Summit in [Cebu](https://bliptext.com/articles/cebu) in 2007.\n \n\n## AEC Blueprint\nThe AEC aims to \"implement economic integration initiatives\" to create a single market for member states.\nThe blueprint that serves as a comprehensive guide for the establishment of the community was adopted on 20 November 2007 at the 13th ASEAN Summit in Singapore.\nIts characteristics include a single market and production base, a highly competitive economic region, a region of fair economic development, and a region fully integrated into the global economy.\nThe areas of cooperation include human resources development, recognition of professional qualifications, closer consultation economic policies, enhanced infrastructure and communications connectivity, integrating industries for regional sourcing, and strengthening private sector involvement.\nThrough the free movement of skilled labor, goods, services and investment, ASEAN would rise globally as one market, thus increasing its competitiveness and opportunities for development.\n# [ASEAN leaders sign the declaration of the ASEAN Economic Community during the 27th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, 2015. | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f4/KL///Declaration///Signing///11.22.15.jpg]\n\n## APSC Blueprint\nDuring the 14th ASEAN Summit, the group adopted the APSC Blueprint.\nThis document is aimed at creating a robust political-security environment within ASEAN, with programs and activities outlined to establish the APSC by 2016.\nIt is based on the ASEAN Charter, the ASEAN Security Community Plan of Action, and the Vientiane Action Program.\nThe APSC aims to create a sense of responsibility toward comprehensive security and a dynamic, outward-looking region in an increasingly integrated and interdependent world.\nThe ASEAN Defense Industry Collaboration (ADIC) was proposed at the 4th ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) on 11 May 2010 in [Hanoi](https://bliptext.com/articles/hanoi).\nIt has the purpose, among others, to reduce defense imports from non-ASEAN countries by half and to further develop the defense industry in the region.\nIt was formally adopted on the next ADMM on 19 May 2011, in Jakarta, Indonesia.\nThe main focus is to industrially and technologically boost the security capability of ASEAN, consistent with the principles of flexibility and non-binding and voluntary participation among the member states.\nThe concept revolves around education and capability-building programs to develop the skills and capabilities of the workforce, production of capital for defense products, and the provision of numerous services to address the security needs of each member state.\nIt also aims to develop an intra-ASEAN defense trade.\nADIC aims to establish a strong defense industry relying on the local capabilities of each member state and limit annual procurement from external original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).\nCountries like the US, Germany, Russia, France, Italy, UK, China, South Korea, Israel, and the Netherlands are among the major suppliers to ASEAN.\nASEAN defense budget rose by 147% from 2004 to 2013 and is expected to rise further in the future.\nFactors affecting the increase include economic growth, ageing equipment, and the plan to strengthen the establishment of the defense industry.\nASEANAPOL is also established to enhance cooperation on law enforcement and crime control among police forces of member states.\n\n## ASCC Blueprint\nThe ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) was also adopted during the 14th ASEAN Summit.\nIt envisions an \"ASEAN Community that is people-centered and socially responsible with a view to achieving enduring solidarity and unity among the countries and peoples of ASEAN by forging a common identity and building a caring and sharing society which is inclusive and harmonious where the well-being, livelihood, and welfare of the peoples are enhanced\".\nAmong its focus areas include human development, social welfare and protection, social justice and rights, environmental sustainability, building the ASEAN identity, and narrowing the development gap.\nTo track the progress of the AEC, a compliance tool called the AEC Scorecard was developed based on the EU Internal Market Scorecard.\nIt is the only one in effect and is expected to serve as an unbiased assessment tool to measure the extent of integration and the economic health of the region.\nIt is expected to provide relevant information about regional priorities, and thus foster productive, inclusive, and sustainable growth.\nIt makes it possible to monitor the implementation of ASEAN agreements, and the achievement of milestones indicated in the AEC Strategic Schedule.\nThe scorecard outlines specific actions that must be undertaken collectively and individually to establish AEC by 2015.\nTo date, two official scorecards have been published, one in 2010, and the other in 2012.\nHowever, the scorecard is purely quantitative, as it only examines whether a member state has performed the AEC task or not.\nThe more \"yes\" answers, the higher the score.\n \n\n### APAEC blueprint\nPart of the work towards the ASEAN Economic Community is the integration of the energy systems of the ASEAN member states.\nThe blueprint for this integration is provided by the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC).\nAPAEC is managed by the ASEAN Center for Energy.\n\n### 2020 ASEAN Banking Integration Framework\nAs trade is liberalized with the integration in 2015, the need arises for ASEAN banking institutions to accommodate and expand their services to an intra-ASEAN market.\nExperts, however, have already forecast a shaky economic transition, especially for smaller players in the banking and financial services industry.\nTwo separate reports by [Standard & Poor's](https://bliptext.com/articles/standard-poor-s) (S&P) outline the challenges that ASEAN financial institutions face as they prepare for the 2020 banking integration.\nThe reports point out that overcrowded banking sector in the Philippines is expected to feel the most pressure as the integration welcomes tighter competition with bigger and more established foreign banks.\nAs a result, there needs to be a regional expansion by countries with a small banking sector to lessen the impact of the post-integration environment.\nIn a follow-up report, S&P recently cited the Philippines for \"shoring up its network bases and building up capital ahead of the banking integration – playing defense and strengthening their domestic networks\".\n\n### Financial integration roadmap\nThe roadmap for financial integration is the latest regional initiative that aims to strengthen local self-help and support mechanisms.\nThe roadmap's implementation would contribute to the realization of the AEC.\nAdoption of a common currency, when conditions are ripe, could be the final stage of the AEC.\nThe roadmap identifies approaches and milestones in capital market development, capital account and financial services liberalization, and ASEAN currency cooperation.\nCapital market development entails promoting institutional capacity as well as the facilitation of greater cross-border collaboration, linkages, and harmonization between capital markets.\nOrderly capital account liberalization would be promoted with adequate safeguards against volatility and systemic risks.\nTo expedite the process of financial services liberalization, ASEAN has agreed on a positive list modality and adopted milestones to facilitate negotiations.\nCurrency cooperation would involve the exploration of possible currency arrangements, including an ASEAN currency payment system for trade in local goods to reduce the demand for US dollars and to help promote stability of regional currencies, such as by settling intra-ASEAN trade using regional currencies.\n \n\n### Food security\nMember states recognize the importance of strengthening [food security](https://bliptext.com/articles/food-security) to maintain stability and prosperity in the region.\nAs ASEAN moves towards AEC and beyond, food security would be an integral part of the community-building agenda.\nStrengthened food security is even more relevant in light of potentially severe risks from climate change with agriculture and fisheries being the most affected industries.\nPart of the aim of ASEAN integration is to achieve food security collectively via [trade](https://bliptext.com/articles/trade) in rice and maize.\n[Trade facilitation](https://bliptext.com/articles/trade-facilitation) measures and the harmonization/equivalency of food regulation and control standards would reduce the cost of trade in food products.\nWhile specialization and revealed comparative and competitive indices point to complementarities between trade patterns among the member states, intra-ASEAN trade in agriculture is quite small, something that integration could address.\nThe MARKET project would provide flexible and demand-driven support to the ASEAN Secretariat while bringing more private-sector and civil-society input into regional agriculture policy dialogue.\nBy building an environment that reduces barriers to trade, ASEAN trade would increase, thereby decreasing the risk of food price crisis.\n\n# Economy\nThe group sought economic integration by creating the AEC by the end of 2015 that established a [single market](https://bliptext.com/articles/single-market).\nThe average economic growth of member states from 1989 to 2009 was between 3.8% and 7%.\nThis was greater than the average growth of APEC, which was 2.8%.\nThe ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA), established on 28 January 1992, includes a Common Effective Preferential Tariff (CEPT) to promote the free flow of goods between member states.\nASEAN had only six members when it was signed.\nThe new member states (Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia) have not fully met AFTA's obligations, but are officially considered part of the agreement as they were required to sign it upon entry into ASEAN, and were given longer time frames to meet AFTA's tariff reduction obligations.\nThe next steps are to create a single market and production base, a competitive economic region, a region of equitable economic development, and a region that is fully integrated into the global economy.\nSince 2007, ASEAN countries have gradually lowered their import duties to member states, with a target of zero import duties by 2016.\nASEAN countries have many economic zones (industrial parks, eco-industrial parks, special economic zones, technology parks, and innovation districts) (see reference for comprehensive list from 2015).\nIn 2018, eight of the ASEAN members are among the world's outperforming economies, with positive long-term prospect for the region.\nASEAN's Secretariat projects that the regional body will grow to become the world's fourth largest economy by 2030.\nThe ASEAN Centre for Energy publishes the ASEAN Energy Outlook every five years, analysing and promoting the integration of national energy systems across the region.\nThe sixth edition was published in 2020.\n\n## Internal market\nASEAN planned to establish a single market based upon the [four freedoms](https://bliptext.com/articles/four-freedoms-european-union) by the end of 2015, with the goal of ensuring free flow of goods, services, skilled labour, and capital.\nThe ASEAN Economic Community was formed in 2015, but the group deferred about 20% of the harmonization provisions needed to create a [common market](https://bliptext.com/articles/common-market) and set a new deadline of 2025.\nUntil the end of 2010, intra-ASEAN trade was still low as trade involved mainly exports to countries outside the region, with the exception of Laos and Myanmar, whose foreign trade was ASEAN-oriented.\nIn 2009, realised [foreign direct investment](https://bliptext.com/articles/foreign-direct-investment) (FDI) was US$37.9 billion and increased two-fold in 2010 to US$75.8 billion.\n22% of FDI came from the [European Union](https://bliptext.com/articles/european-union), followed by ASEAN countries (16%), and by Japan and the United States.\nThe ASEAN Framework Agreement on Trade in Services (AFAS) was adopted at the ASEAN Summit in Bangkok in December 1995.\nUnder the agreement, member states enter into successive rounds of negotiations to liberalise trade in services with the aim of submitting increasingly higher levels of commitment.\nASEAN has concluded seven packages of commitments under AFAS.\nMutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) have been agreed upon by ASEAN for eight professions: physicians, dentists, nurses, architects, engineers, accountants, surveyors, and tourism professionals.\nIndividuals in these professions will be free to work in any ASEAN states effective 31 December 2015.\nIn addition, six member states ([Malaysia](https://bliptext.com/articles/malaysia), [Vietnam](https://bliptext.com/articles/vietnam) (2 exchanges), [Indonesia](https://bliptext.com/articles/indonesia), [Philippines](https://bliptext.com/articles/philippines), [Thailand](https://bliptext.com/articles/thailand), and [Singapore](https://bliptext.com/articles/singapore)) have collaborated on integrating their stock exchanges, which includes 70% of its transaction values with the goal to compete with international exchanges.\nSingle market will also include the [ASEAN Single Aviation Market](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-single-aviation-market) (ASEAN-SAM), the region's aviation policy geared towards the development of a [unified and single aviation market](https://bliptext.com/articles/open-skies) in [Southeast Asia](https://bliptext.com/articles/southeast-asia).\nIt was proposed by the ASEAN Air Transport Working Group, supported by the ASEAN Senior Transport Officials Meeting, and endorsed by the ASEAN Transport Ministers.\nIt is expected to liberalise air travel between member states allowing ASEAN airlines to benefit directly from the growth in air travel, and also free up tourism, trade, investment, and service flows.\nSince 1 December 2008, restrictions on the third and fourth [freedoms of the air](https://bliptext.com/articles/freedoms-of-the-air) between capital cities of member states for air passenger services have been removed, while from 1 January 2009, full liberalisation of air freight services in the region took effect.\nOn 1 January 2011, full liberalisation on fifth freedom traffic rights between all capital cities took effect.\nThis policy supersedes existing unilateral, bilateral, and multilateral air services agreements among member states which are inconsistent with its provisions.\n\n## Monetary union\nThe concept of an [Asian Currency Unit](https://bliptext.com/articles/asian-currency-unit) (ACU) started in the middle of the 1990s, prior to the [1997 Asian financial crisis](https://bliptext.com/articles/1997-asian-financial-crisis).\nIt is a proposed basket of Asian currencies, similar to the [Euro](https://bliptext.com/articles/euro)pean Currency Unit, which was the precursor of the [Euro](https://bliptext.com/articles/euro).\nThe [Asian Development Bank](https://bliptext.com/articles/asian-development-bank) is responsible for exploring the feasibility and construction of the basket.\nSince the ACU is being considered to be a precursor to a common currency, it has a dynamic outlook of the region.\nThe overall goal of a common currency is to contribute to the financial stability of a regional economy, including price stability.\nIt means lower cost of cross-border business through the elimination of currency risk.\nGreater flows of intra-trade would put pressure on prices, resulting in cheaper goods and services.\nIndividuals benefit not only from the lowering of prices, they save by not having to change money when travelling, by being able to compare prices more readily, and by the reduced cost of transferring money across borders.\nHowever, there are conditions for a common currency: the intensity of intra-regional trade and the convergence of [macroeconomic](https://bliptext.com/articles/macroeconomics) conditions.\nSubstantial intra-ASEAN trade (which is growing, partly as a result of the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) and the ASEAN Economic Community.) and economic integration is an incentive for a monetary union.\nMember states currently trade more with other countries (80%) than among themselves (20%).\nTherefore, their economies are more concerned about currency stability against major international currencies, like the US dollar.\nOn macroeconomic conditions, member states have different levels of economic development, capacity, and priorities that translate into different levels of interest and readiness.\nMonetary integration, however, implies less control over national monetary and fiscal policy to stimulate the economy.\nTherefore, greater convergence in macroeconomic conditions is being enacted to improve conditions and confidence in a common currency.\nOther concerns include weaknesses in the financial sectors, inadequacy of regional-level resource pooling mechanisms and institutions required to form and manage a currency union, and lack of political preconditions for monetary co-operation and a common currency.\n\n## Free trade\nIn 1992, the Common Effective Preferential Tariff (CEPT) scheme was adopted as a schedule for phasing out tariffs to increase the \"region's competitive advantage as a production base geared for the world market\".\nThis law would act as the framework for the [ASEAN Free Trade Area](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-free-trade-area) (AFTA), which is an agreement by member states concerning local manufacturing in ASEAN.\nIt was signed on 28 January 1992 in Singapore.\nFree trade initiatives in ASEAN are spearheaded by the implementation of the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) and the Agreement on Customs.\nThese agreements are supported by several sector bodies to plan and to execute free trade measures, guided by the provisions and the requirements of ATIGA and the Agreement on Customs.\nThey form a backbone for achieving targets of the AEC Blueprint and establishing the ASEAN Economic Community by the end of 2015.\nOn 26 August 2007, ASEAN stated its aim of completing free trade agreements (FTA) with China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, and New Zealand by 2013, which is in line with the start of the ASEAN Economic Community by 2015.\nIn November 2007, ASEAN states signed the ASEAN Charter, a constitution governing relations among member states and establishing the group itself as an international legal entity.\nDuring the same year, the [Cebu Declaration on East Asian Energy Security](https://bliptext.com/articles/cebu-declaration-on-east-asian-energy-security) was signed by ASEAN and the other members of the [EAS](https://bliptext.com/articles/east-asian-summit) (Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea), which pursues [energy security](https://bliptext.com/articles/energy-security) by finding [energy alternatives](https://bliptext.com/articles/renewable) to [fossil fuels](https://bliptext.com/articles/fossil-fuels).\nOn 27 February 2009, an FTA with [Australia](https://bliptext.com/articles/australia) and [New Zealand](https://bliptext.com/articles/new-zealand) was signed.\nIt is believed that this FTA would boost combined GDP across the 12 countries by more than US$48 billion over the period between 2000 and 2020.\nThe agreement with China created the [ASEAN–China Free Trade Area](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-china-free-trade-area) (ACFTA), which went into full effect on 1 January 2010.\nIn addition, ASEAN was noted to be negotiating an FTA with the [European Union](https://bliptext.com/articles/european-union).\nBilateral trade with India crossed the US$70 billion target in 2012 (target was to reach the level by 2015).\nTaiwan has also expressed interest in an agreement with ASEAN but needs to overcome diplomatic objections from China.\nASEAN, together with its six major trading partners (Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea), began the first round of negotiations on 26–28 February 2013, in Bali, Indonesia on the establishment of [the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)](https://bliptext.com/articles/regional-comprehensive-economic-partnership), which is an extension of ASEAN Plus Three and Six that covers 45% of the world's population and about a third of the world's total GDP.\nIn 2019, [Reuters](https://bliptext.com/articles/reuters) highlighted a mechanism used by traders to avoid the 70% tariff on [ethanol](https://bliptext.com/articles/ethanol) imported into China from the United States, involving importing the fuel into Malaysia, mixing it with at least 40% ASEAN-produced fuel, and re-exporting it to China tariff-free under ACFTA rules.\n# [{{Legend|#fd1813ff|ASEAN}}{{Legend|#124295ff|Countries with which ASEAN has free trade agreements|undefined | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f5/Map///of///countries///with///which///ASEAN///has///free///trade///agreements.svg]\n\n## Electricity trade\nCross-border electricity trade in ASEAN has been limited, despite efforts since 1997 to establish an [ASEAN Power Grid](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-power-grid) and associated trade.\nElectricity trade accounts for only about 5% of the generation, whereas trades in coal and gas are 86% and 53% respectively.\n\n## Tourism\nWith the institutionalisation of visa-free travel between ASEAN member states, intra-ASEAN travel has escalated.\nIn 2010, 47% or 34 million out of 73 million tourists in ASEAN member-states were from other ASEAN countries.\nCooperation in tourism was formalised in 1976, following the formation of the Sub-Committee on Tourism (SCOT) under the ASEAN Committee on Trade and Tourism.\nThe 1st ASEAN Tourism Forum was held on 18–26 October 1981 in [Kuala Lumpur](https://bliptext.com/articles/kuala-lumpur).\nIn 1986, ASEAN Promotional Chapters for Tourism (APCT) were established in Hong Kong, West Germany, the United Kingdom, Australia/New Zealand, Japan, and North America.\nTourism has been one of the key growth sectors in ASEAN and has proven resilient amid global economic challenges.\nThe wide array of tourist attractions across the region drew 109 million tourists to ASEAN in 2015, up by 34% compared to 81 million tourists in 2011.\nAs of 2012, tourism was estimated to account for 4.6% of ASEAN GDP—10.9% when taking into account all indirect contributions.\nIt directly employed 9.3 million people, or 3.2% of total employment, and indirectly supported some 25 million jobs.\nIn addition, the sector accounted for an estimated 8% of total capital investment in the region.\nIn January 2012, ASEAN tourism ministers called for the development of a marketing strategy.\nThe strategy represents the consensus of ASEAN National Tourism Organisations (NTOs) on marketing directions for ASEAN moving forward to 2015.\nIn the 2013 Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index (TTCI) report, Singapore placed 1st, Malaysia placed 8th, Thailand placed 9th, Indonesia placed 12th, Brunei placed 13th, Vietnam placed 16th, Philippines placed 17th, and Cambodia placed 20th as the top destinations of travellers in the Asia Pacific region.\n1981 The ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) was established.\nIt is a regional meeting of NGOs, Ministers, sellers, buyers and journalists to promote the ASEAN countries as a single one tourist destination.\nThe annual event 2019 in Ha Long marks the 38th anniversary and involves all the tourism industry sectors of the 10 member states of ASEAN: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.\nIt was organized by TTG Events from Singapore.\n\n## Cooperation funds\nThe establishment of the [China-ASEAN Investment Cooperation Fund](https://bliptext.com/articles/china-asean-investment-cooperation-fund) was announced in 2009 by Chinese Premier [Wen Jiabao](https://bliptext.com/articles/wen-jiabao) began operations in 2010.\nThe fund, which is sponsored by the [Export-Import Bank of China](https://bliptext.com/articles/export-import-bank-of-china), among other institutional investors, became the first Southeast Asia-focused private equity fund approved by China's [State Council](https://bliptext.com/articles/state-council-of-the-people-s-republic-of-china) and the National Development and Reform Commission.\nThe [Export-Import Bank of China](https://bliptext.com/articles/export-import-bank-of-china) is the \"anchor sponsor\" with a \"seed investment\" of US$300 million.\nThree other Chinese institutions invested a combined US$500 million.\nThe [International Finance Corporation](https://bliptext.com/articles/international-finance-corporation) of the [World Bank](https://bliptext.com/articles/world-bank) invested US$100 million.\nIn November 2011, the China-ASEAN Maritime Cooperation fund was established.\nChina underwrote the fund, which is valued at RMB 3 billion.\n\n# Foreign relations\nASEAN maintains a global network of alliances, dialogue partners and diplomatic missions, and is involved in numerous international affairs.\nThe organisation maintains good relationships on an international scale, particularly towards Asia-Pacific nations, and upholds itself as a neutral party in politics.\nIt holds [ASEAN Summits](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-summit), where [heads of government](https://bliptext.com/articles/head-of-government) of each member states meet to discuss and resolve regional issues, as well as to conduct other meetings with countries outside the bloc to promote external relations and deal with international affairs.\nThe first summit was held in [Bali](https://bliptext.com/articles/bali) in 1976.\nThe third summit was in [Manila](https://bliptext.com/articles/manila) in 1987, and during this meeting, it was decided that the leaders would meet every five years.\nThe fourth meeting was held in [Singapore](https://bliptext.com/articles/singapore) in 1992 where the leaders decided to meet more frequently, every three years.\nIn 2001, it was decided that the organisation will meet annually to address urgent issues affecting the region.\nIn December 2008, the ASEAN Charter came into force and with it, the ASEAN Summit will be held twice a year.\nThe formal summit meets for three days, and usually includes internal organisation meeting, a conference with foreign ministers of the ASEAN Regional Forum, an ASEAN Plus Three meeting and ASEAN-CER, a meeting of member states with Australia and New Zealand.\nASEAN is a major partner of the [Shanghai Cooperation Organisation](https://bliptext.com/articles/shanghai-cooperation-organisation), developing cooperation model with the organisation in the field of security, economy, finance, tourism, culture, environmental protection, development and sustainability.\nAdditionally, the grouping has been closely aligned with [China](https://bliptext.com/articles/china), cooperating across numerous areas, including economy, security, education, culture, technology, agriculture, human resource, society, development, investment, energy, transport, public health, tourism, media, environment, and sustainability.\nIt is also the linchpin in the foreign policy of Australia and New Zealand, with the three sides being integrated into an essential alliance.\nASEAN also participates in the [East Asia Summit](https://bliptext.com/articles/east-asia-summit) (EAS), a pan-Asian forum held annually by the leaders of eighteen countries in the [East Asian](https://bliptext.com/articles/east-asia) region, with ASEAN in a leadership position.\nInitially, membership included all member states of ASEAN plus China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, and New Zealand, but was expanded to include the United States and Russia at the Sixth EAS in 2011, as they were also important players having dominance and influence over the region.\nThe first summit was held in [Kuala Lumpur](https://bliptext.com/articles/kuala-lumpur) on 14 December 2005, and subsequent meetings have been held after the annual ASEAN Leaders' Meeting.\nThe summit has discussed issues including trade, [energy](https://bliptext.com/articles/energy), and security and the summit has a role in [regional community building](https://bliptext.com/articles/east-asia-community).\nOther meetings include the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting that focus mostly on specific topics, such as defence or the environment, and are attended by [ministers](https://bliptext.com/articles/minister-government).\nThe (ARF), which met for the first time in 1994, fosters dialogue and consultation, and to promote confidence-building and preventive diplomacy in the region.\nAs of July 2007, it consists of twenty-seven participants that include all ASEAN member states, Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, China, the EU, India, Japan, North and South Korea, Mongolia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Russia, East Timor, the United States, and Sri Lanka.\nTaiwan has been excluded since the establishment of the ARF, and issues regarding the Taiwan Strait are neither discussed at ARF meetings nor stated in the ARF Chairman's Statements.\nASEAN also holds meetings with Europe during the [Asia–Europe Meeting](https://bliptext.com/articles/asia-europe-meeting) (ASEM), an informal dialogue process initiated in 1996 with the intention of strengthening co-operation between the countries of Europe and Asia, especially members of the [European Union](https://bliptext.com/articles/european-union) and ASEAN in particular.\nASEAN, represented by its secretariat, is one of the forty-five ASEM partners.\nIt also appoints a representative to sit on the governing board of [Asia-Europe Foundation](https://bliptext.com/articles/asia-europe-foundation) (ASEF), a socio-cultural organisation associated with the meeting.\nAnnual bilateral meetings between ASEAN and India, Russia and the United States are also held.\nPrior to 2012, ASEAN foreign ministerial statements were not typically contentious.\nParticularly as international disagreements over the South China Sea increased, the wording of ASEAN foreign ministerial statements became more politically contended.\nFollowing the [2022 visit by United States Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan](https://bliptext.com/articles/2022-visit-by-nancy-pelosi-to-taiwan), ASEAN and individual member states reiterated their support of the [One China policy](https://bliptext.com/articles/one-china).\nOn 12 November 2022, Ukrainian Foreign Minister [Dmytro Kuleba](https://bliptext.com/articles/dmytro-kuleba) urged ASEAN countries to abandon their neutrality and condemn Russia's [invasion of Ukraine](https://bliptext.com/articles/2022-russian-invasion-of-ukraine).\n# [Royal Thai Embassy, Helsinki, flying its own national flag as well as ASEAN's flag | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ae/Asean///flag///flying///at///Royal///Thai///Embassy///Helsinki.jpg]\n# [Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte poses for a photo with the ASEAN foreign ministers during the 50th anniversary of the group's foundation on 8 August 2017. | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2d/ASEAN///50th///Anniversary.jpg]\n\n## Territorial disputes\n\n### South China Sea\nWith perceptions that there have been [multiple incursions](https://bliptext.com/articles/territorial-disputes-in-the-south-china-sea) into the [South China Sea](https://bliptext.com/articles/south-china-sea) by the PRC (China) and ROC (Taiwan), with land, islands and resources all having had previous overlapping claims between [Vietnam](https://bliptext.com/articles/vietnam), [Philippines](https://bliptext.com/articles/philippines), [Malaysia](https://bliptext.com/articles/malaysia), [Brunei](https://bliptext.com/articles/brunei), [Indonesia](https://bliptext.com/articles/indonesia), and various other countries, the PRC and ROC's claim into the region is seen as intrusive by many Southeast Asian countries as of 2022, potentially a reflection of the threat of [Chinese expansionism](https://bliptext.com/articles/chinese-expansionism) into the region.\nShortly after the conclusion of the [South China Sea Arbitration](https://bliptext.com/articles/south-china-sea-arbitration), at the 24 July 2016 China-ASEAN Foreign Ministers summit, China assured ASEAN that it would not conduct [land reclamation](https://bliptext.com/articles/land-reclamation-in-china) on the Scarborough Shoal.\nThe joint statement at the conclusion of the summit emphasized the implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and urged the parties to refrain from inhabiting currently unoccupied islands, reefs, shoals, cays, and other features.\nWithin ASEAN, [Cambodia](https://bliptext.com/articles/cambodia-china-relations) is often supportive of the PRC's positions, including on the South China Sea issue.\n\n### Bilateral\nThere have been [territorial disputes](https://bliptext.com/articles/territorial-dispute) between ASEAN member states such as the [Cambodian–Thai border dispute](https://bliptext.com/articles/cambodian-thai-border-dispute) between Cambodia and Thailand, [Cambodian–Vietnamese border dispute](https://bliptext.com/articles/cambodia-vietnam-relations) between Cambodia and Vietnam, and the [North Borneo dispute](https://bliptext.com/articles/north-borneo-dispute) between the Philippines and Malaysia.\nThe [Vietnamese invasion of Cambodia](https://bliptext.com/articles/vietnamese-invasion-of-cambodia) in 1978, backed by the Soviet Union, was not accepted by ASEAN.\nThey rejected it as a violation of the principles of regional integration.\nASEAN cooperated with US and Australia to oppose Vietnam's move and it sponsored a Cambodian resolution in the United Nations General Assembly.\nASEAN played a major role starting in 1980 in the peace process, leading to the 1991 Paris Agreement.\n\n## Relations with other blocs\n# [{{legend|#1743a6|ASEAN}}\n{{legend|#6330d5|ASEAN Plus Three}}\n{{legend|#0d675e|ASEAN Plus Six}} | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8e/ASEAN///with///Plus///3///and///Plus///6.png]\n\n### ASEAN Plus Three\nIn 1990, Malaysia proposed the creation of an [East Asia Economic Caucus](https://bliptext.com/articles/east-asia-economic-caucus) composed of the members of ASEAN, China, Japan, and South Korea.\nIt intended to counterbalance the growing US influence in [Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation](https://bliptext.com/articles/asia-pacific-economic-cooperation) (APEC) and Asia as a whole.\nHowever, the proposal failed because of strong opposition from the US and Japan.\nWork for further integration continued, and the [ASEAN Plus Three](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-plus-three), consisting of ASEAN, China, Japan, and South Korea, was created in 1997.\n[ASEAN Plus Three](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-plus-three) is a forum that functions as a coordinator of co-operation between the ASEAN and the three [East Asian](https://bliptext.com/articles/east-asia) nations of China, South Korea, and Japan.\nGovernment leaders, ministers, and senior officials from the ten members of the ASEAN and the three East Asian states consult on an increasing range of issues.\nThe ASEAN Plus Three is the latest development of Southeast Asia-East Asia regional co-operation.\nIn the past, proposals, such as South Korea's call for an Asian Common Market in 1970 and Japan's 1988 suggestion for an Asian Network, have been made to bring closer regional co-operation.\nThe first leaders' meetings were held in 1996, and 1997 to deal with [Asia–Europe Meeting](https://bliptext.com/articles/asia-europe-meeting) issues, and China and Japan each wanted regular summit meetings with ASEAN members afterwards.\nThe group's significance and importance were strengthened by the [Asian Financial Crisis](https://bliptext.com/articles/asian-financial-crisis).\nIn response to the crisis, ASEAN closely cooperated with China, South Korea, and Japan.\nSince the implementation of the Joint Statement on East Asia Cooperation in 1999 at the Manila Summit, ASEAN Plus Three finance ministers have been holding periodic consultations.\nASEAN Plus Three, in establishing the [Chiang Mai Initiative](https://bliptext.com/articles/chiang-mai-initiative), has been credited as forming the basis for financial stability in Asia, the lack of such stability having contributed to the Asian Financial Crisis.\nSince the process began in 1997, ASEAN Plus Three has also focused on subjects other than finance such as the areas of food and energy security, financial co-operation, trade facilitation, disaster management, people-to-people contacts, narrowing the development gap, rural development, and poverty alleviation, human trafficking, labour movement, communicable diseases, environment and sustainable development, and [transnational crime](https://bliptext.com/articles/transnational-crime), including counter-terrorism.\nWith the aim of further strengthening the nations' co-operation, East Asia Vision Group (EAVG) II was established at the 13th ASEAN Plus Three Summit on 29 October 2010 in [Hanoi](https://bliptext.com/articles/hanoi) to stock-take, review, and identify the future direction of the co-operation.\nThe ASEAN Plus Three framework also serves as a platform for the ASEAN affiliated intergovernmental organizations in China, Korea, and Japan to meet and cooperate.\nThe [ASEAN-China Centre](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-china-centre), the [ASEAN-Japan Centre](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-japan-centre), and [ASEAN-Korea Centre](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-korea-centre) currently convene annually to discuss ongoing projects and to discuss possible areas of cooperation vis-a-vis ASEAN.\n\n### ASEAN Plus Six\nASEAN Plus Three was the first of attempts for further integration to improve existing ties of Southeast Asia with [East Asian](https://bliptext.com/articles/east-asia) countries of China, Japan and South Korea.\nThis was followed by the even larger [East Asia Summit](https://bliptext.com/articles/east-asia-summit) (EAS), which included ASEAN Plus Three as well as India, Australia, and New Zealand.\nThis group acted as a prerequisite for the planned [East Asia Community](https://bliptext.com/articles/east-asia-community) which was supposedly patterned after the [European Community](https://bliptext.com/articles/european-community) (now transformed into the [European Union](https://bliptext.com/articles/european-union)).\nThe [ASEAN Eminent Persons Group](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-eminent-persons-group) was created to study this policy's possible successes and failures.\nThe group became ASEAN Plus Six with Australia, New Zealand, and India, and stands as the linchpin of [Asia Pacific](https://bliptext.com/articles/asia-pacific)'s economic, political, security, socio-cultural architecture, as well as the global economy.\nCodification of the relations between these countries has seen progress through the development of the [Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership](https://bliptext.com/articles/regional-comprehensive-economic-partnership), a free-trade agreement involving the 15 countries of ASEAN Plus Six (excluding India).\nRCEP would, in part, allow the members to protect local sectors and give more time to comply with the aim for developed country members.\n[India](https://bliptext.com/articles/india) temporarily does not join the RCEP for the protection of its own market, but Japan, China, and ASEAN welcomes [India](https://bliptext.com/articles/india)'s participation.\n[Taiwan](https://bliptext.com/articles/taiwan) has been excluded from participating with the organization owing to China's influence on the [Asia Pacific](https://bliptext.com/articles/asia-pacific) through its economic and diplomatic influence.\n\n# Environment\nAt the turn of the 21st century, ASEAN began to discuss environmental agreements.\nThese included the signing of the [ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-agreement-on-transboundary-haze-pollution) in 2002 as an attempt to control haze pollution in Southeast Asia, arguably the region's most high-profile environmental issue.\nUnfortunately, this was unsuccessful due to the outbreaks of haze in [2005](https://bliptext.com/articles/2005-malaysian-haze), [2006](https://bliptext.com/articles/2006-southeast-asian-haze), [2009](https://bliptext.com/articles/2009-southeast-asian-haze), [2013](https://bliptext.com/articles/2013-southeast-asian-haze), and [2015](https://bliptext.com/articles/2015-southeast-asian-haze).\nAs of 2015, thirteen years after signing the [ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-agreement-on-transboundary-haze-pollution), the situation with respect to the long term issue of [Southeast Asian haze](https://bliptext.com/articles/southeast-asian-haze) had not changed for 50% of the ASEAN member states, and still remained as a crisis every two years during summer and fall.\nTrash dumping from foreign countries (such as Japan and Canada) to ASEAN has yet to be discussed and resolved.\nImportant issues include [deforestation](https://bliptext.com/articles/deforestation) (with Indonesia recorded the largest loss of forest in the region, more than other member states combined in the 2001–2013 period ), plastic waste dumping (5 member states were among the top 10 out of 192 countries based on 2010 data, with Indonesia ranked as second worst polluter ), threatened mammal species (Indonesia ranked the worst in the region with 184 species under threat ), threatened fish species (Indonesia ranked the worst in the region ), threatened (higher) plant species (Malaysia ranked the worst in the region ).\nASEAN's aggregate economy is one of the fastest growing in the world.\nIt is expected to grow by 4.6% in 2019, and 4.8% in 2020, but at the cost of the release about 1.5 billion tonnes of [CO2](https://bliptext.com/articles/carbon-dioxide) to the atmosphere every year.\nThat makes ASEAN a greater source of [greenhouse gas emissions](https://bliptext.com/articles/greenhouse-gas-emissions) than Japan (1.3 billion tonnes per year) or Germany (796 million tonnes per year).\nIt is the only region in the world where coal is expected to increase its share of the [energy mix](https://bliptext.com/articles/energy-mix).\nAccording to the [International Energy Agency](https://bliptext.com/articles/international-energy-agency) (IEA), \"Since 2000 [ASEAN's] overall energy demand has grown by more than 80% and the lion's share of this growth has been met by a doubling in [fossil fuel](https://bliptext.com/articles/fossil-fuel) use,... Oil is the largest element in the regional energy mix and coal, largely for power generation, has been the fastest growing.\"\nASEAN has been criticized for not doing enough to [mitigate climate change](https://bliptext.com/articles/climate-change-mitigation) although it is the world's most vulnerable region in terms of [climate impact](https://bliptext.com/articles/climate-change-in-southeast-asia).\nASEAN has many opportunities for [renewable energy](https://bliptext.com/articles/renewable-energy).\nWith [solar](https://bliptext.com/articles/solar-power) and [wind power](https://bliptext.com/articles/wind-power) plus off river pumped hydro storage, ASEAN electricity industry could achieve very high penetration (78%–97%) of domestic [solar](https://bliptext.com/articles/solar-power) and wind energy resources at a competitive levelised costs of electricity range from 55 to 115 U.S. dollars per megawatt-hour based on 2020 technology costs.\nVietnam's experience in solar and wind power development provides relevant implications for the other ASEAN countries.\nThe proposed [ASEAN Power Grid](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-power-grid) could allow for renewable energy transmission from large producers like [Vietnam](https://bliptext.com/articles/vietnam) to others within ASEAN.\n# [Haze over Borneo, 2006 | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/58/Borneo///fires///October///2006.jpg]\n# [Greenhouse gas emissions per capita of different ASEAN countries. | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/22/Asean-co2-emissions-per-capita.png]\n# [Solar irradiance map of South and Southeast Asia, showing the high potential of solar power in ASEAN. | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/23/SolarGIS-Solar-map-South-And-South-East-Asia-en.png]\n\n# Energy transition\nThe ASEAN has initiated its transition to cleaner energy sources.\nThis transition is characterized as Demanding, Doable, and Dependent.\nWith approximately 679 million inhabitants, the region is witnessing a substantial surge in energy demand, projected to triple by 2050.\nHowever, transitioning energy sources requires significant resources.\nSoutheast Asia would need to invest USD 27 billion annually in renewable energy to achieve the target of 23% renewables in the primary energy supply by 2025.\nNevertheless, this goal is attainable with the implementation of appropriate policies.\nVietnam serves as a compelling example of rapid adoption of solar and wind energy.\nSince 2019, Vietnam has emerged as a regional leader, with solar and wind energy accounting for 13% of its electricity mix in 2022, a remarkable increase from nearly zero in 2017.\nThe region requires international assistance to meet its net-zero emission targets.\nPhasing out coal remains a daunting task, although countries such as Indonesia and Vietnam have pledged to phasing out coal power by 2040s.\nSeveral high profile leaders such as the head of the Indonesian national energy company [PLN](https://bliptext.com/articles/perusahaan-listrik-negara), [Darmawan Prasodjo](https://bliptext.com/articles/darmawan-prasodjo), have stated that the [ASEAN Power Grid](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-power-grid) proposal is key to unlocking the potential for green energy in southeast Asia.\n# [Key features of energy transition in Southeast Asia | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f9/Key///features///of///energy///transition///in///Southeast///Asia.png]\n\n# Education\nTo enhance the region's status in education, ASEAN education ministers have agreed four priorities for education at all levels, promoting ASEAN awareness among ASEAN citizens, particularly youth, strengthening ASEAN identity through education, building ASEAN human resources in the field of education strengthening the [ASEAN University Network](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-university-network).\nAt the 11th ASEAN Summit in December 2005, leaders set new direction for regional education collaboration when they welcomed the decision of the ASEAN education ministers to convene meetings on a regular basis.\nThe annual ASEAN Education Ministers Meeting oversees co-operation efforts on education at the ministerial level.\nWith regard to implementation, programs, and activities are carried out by the ASEAN Senior Officials on Education (SOM-ED).\nSOM-ED also manages co-operation on [higher education](https://bliptext.com/articles/higher-education) through the [ASEAN University Network](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-university-network) (AUN).\nIt is a consortium of [Southeast Asian](https://bliptext.com/articles/southeast-asia) tertiary institutions of which 30 currently belong as participating universities.\nFounded in November 1995 by 11 universities, the AUN was established to: promote co-operation among ASEAN scholars, academics, and scientists, develop academic and professional human resources, promote information dissemination among the ASEAN academic community, enhance awareness of a regional identity and the sense of \"ASEAN-ness\" among member states.\nIn November 2011, ten vocational schools and centers were established in China to help develop human resources to assist in the economic and social development of the ASEAN countries.\nASEAN also has a [scholarship](https://bliptext.com/articles/scholarship) program offered by Singapore to the 9 other member states for secondary school, junior college, and university education.\nIt covers accommodation, food, medical benefits and accident insurance, school fees, and examination fees.\nIts recipients, who perform well on the [GCE Advanced Level](https://bliptext.com/articles/gce-advanced-level) Examination, may apply for ASEAN undergraduate scholarships, which are tailored specifically to undergraduate institutions in Singapore and other ASEAN member countries.\n'Australia for ASEAN' scholarships are also offered by the [Australian Government](https://bliptext.com/articles/australian-government) to the 'next generation of leaders' from ASEAN member states.\nBy undertaking a [Master's degree](https://bliptext.com/articles/master-s-degree), recipients are to develop the skills and knowledge to drive change, help build links with Australia, and also participate in the Indo-Pacific Emerging Leaders Program to help develop the ASEAN Outlook for the Indo-Pacific.\nEach ASEAN member state is able to receive ten 'Australia for ASEAN' scholarships.\n\n# Culture\nThe organization hosts cultural activities in an attempt to further integrate the region.\nThese include sports and educational activities as well as writing awards.\nExamples of these include the [ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-centre-for-biodiversity), [ASEAN Heritage Parks](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-heritage-parks) and the [ASEAN Outstanding Scientist and Technologist Award](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-outstanding-scientist-and-technologist-award).\nIn addition, the ASEAN region has been recognized as one of the world's most diverse regions ethnically, religiously and linguistically.\n\n## Media\nMember states have promoted co-operation in information to help build an ASEAN identity.\nOne of the main bodies in ASEAN co-operation in information is the ASEAN Committee on Culture and Information (COCI).\nEstablished in 1978, its mission is to promote effective co-operation in the fields of information, as well as culture, through its various projects and activities.\nIt includes representatives from national institutions like the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministries of Culture and Information, national radio and television networks, museums, archives and libraries, among others.\nTogether, they meet once a year to formulate and agree on projects to fulfil their mission.\nOn 14 November 2014, foreign ministers of member states launched the ASEAN Communication Master Plan (ACPM).\nIt provides a framework for communicating the character, structure, and overall vision of ASEAN and the ASEAN community to key audiences within the region and globally.\nASEAN Media Cooperation (AMC) sets digital television standards and policies in preparation for broadcasters to transition from analogue to digital broadcasting.\nThis collaboration was conceptualised during the 11th ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Information (AMRI) Conference in Malaysia on 1 March 2012 where a consensus declared that both new and traditional media were keys to connecting ASEAN peoples and bridging cultural gaps in the region.\nSeveral key initiatives under the AMC include:\n# [The flags of the ASEAN member states in Jakarta, Indonesia | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/59/ASEAN///Nations///Flags///in///Jakarta///3.jpg]\n\n### National public/state-owned radio and television networks of ASEAN\n\n## Music\nMusic plays a significant role in ASEAN affairs, as evidenced by the new music composed for, and to be performed at, the 34th ASEAN Summit in Bangkok in June 2019.\nSince ASEAN's founding, a number of songs have been written for the regional alliance:\n\n# Sports\nThe main sporting event of ASEAN is the Southeast Asian Games, a biennial meet of athletes from the ten member-states.\nA non-member state Timor-Leste (also known as East Timor) is now participating the SEA Games.\n\n## Games events\n\n## Championships events\n\n# Global influence and reception\nASEAN has been credited by many as among the world's most influential organisations and a global powerhouse.\nThe organisation plays a prominent role in regional and international diplomacy, politics, security, economy and trade.\nThe [ASEAN Free Trade Area](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-free-trade-area) also stands as one of the largest and most important free trade areas in the world, and together with its network of dialogue partners, drove some of the world's largest multilateral forums and blocs, including [APEC](https://bliptext.com/articles/asia-pacific-economic-cooperation), [EAS](https://bliptext.com/articles/east-asia-summit) and [RCEP](https://bliptext.com/articles/regional-comprehensive-economic-partnership).\nBeing one of the world's forefront political, economic and security meetings, the [ASEAN Summit](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-summit) serves as a prominent regional (Asia) and international (worldwide) conference, with world leaders attending its related summits and meetings to discuss about various problems and global issues, strengthening cooperation, and making decisions.\nCritics have charged ASEAN with weakly promoting human rights and democracy, particularly in junta-led Myanmar.\nSome scholars think that non-interference has hindered ASEAN efforts to handle the Myanmar issue, human rights abuse, and haze pollution in the area.\nDespite global outrage at the military crack-down on unarmed protesters in Yangon, ASEAN has refused to suspend Myanmar as a member and also rejects proposals for economic sanctions.\nThis has caused concern as the European Union has refused to conduct free trade negotiations at a regional level for these political reasons.\nDuring a UN vote against the ethnic cleansing of [Rohingya](https://bliptext.com/articles/rohingya), most member states voted to either abstain or against the condemnation.\nOnly the Muslim-majority countries Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei voted to condemn the cleansing of Rohingya.\nSome international observers view ASEAN as a \"talk shop\", stating that the organisation is: \"big on words, but small on action\".\n\"ASEAN policies have proven to be mostly rhetoric, rather than actual implementation\", according to Pokpong Lawansiri, a Bangkok-based independent analyst of ASEAN.\n\"It has been noted that less than 50% of ASEAN agreements are actually implemented, while ASEAN holds more than six hundred meetings annually\".\nThe head of the [International Institute of Strategic Studies](https://bliptext.com/articles/international-institute-of-strategic-studies), Tim Huxley, cites the diverse political systems present in the grouping, including many young states, as a barrier to far-reaching co-operation beyond economics.\nHe also asserts that, without an external threat to rally against after the [Cold War](https://bliptext.com/articles/cold-war) ended, ASEAN has less successfully restrained its members and resolved such border disputes as those between Myanmar and Thailand or Indonesia and Malaysia.\nDuring the 12th ASEAN Summit in [Cebu](https://bliptext.com/articles/metro-cebu), several activist groups staged [anti-globalisation](https://bliptext.com/articles/anti-globalisation) protests, arguing that the agenda of economic integration would negatively affect industries in the Philippines and would deprive thousands of Filipinos of their jobs.\nCorruption remains a widespread issue, as \"tea money\" remains an important requirement to grease business transactions and to receive public services.\nFollowing the release of the [Corruption Perceptions Index](https://bliptext.com/articles/corruption-perceptions-index) 2015 by Berlin-based graft watchdog Transparency International on 27 January, its Asia Pacific director, Srirak Plipat, noted that: \"if there was one common challenge to unite the Asia-Pacific region, it would be corruption\", noting that: \"from campaign pledges to media coverage to civil society forums, corruption dominates the discussion. Yet despite all this talk, there's little sign of action.\"\n\n## Economic integration\nThe group's integration plan has raised concerns, in particular, the 2015 deadline.\nBusiness and economy experts who attended the Lippo-UPH Dialogue in [Naypyidaw](https://bliptext.com/articles/naypyidaw) cited unresolved issues relating to aviation, agriculture, and human resources.\nSome panelists, among them, [Kishore Mahbubani](https://bliptext.com/articles/kishore-mahbubani), warned against high expectations at the onset.\nHe stated: \"Please do not expect a big bang event in 2015 where everything is going to happen overnight when the ASEAN Economic Community comes into being. We've made progress in some areas and unfortunately regressed in some areas.\"\nSome panelists enumerated other matters to be dealt with for a successful launch.\nAmong them were the communications issues involving the 600 million citizens living in the region, increasing understanding in business, current visa arrangements, demand for specific skills, banking connections, and economic differences.\nFormer Philippine [National Statistical Coordination Board](https://bliptext.com/articles/philippine-statistics-authority) (NSCB) Secretary General Romulo A. Virola, said in 2012 that the Philippines seems unready to benefit from the integration due to its \"wobbly\" economic performance compared to other member states.\nAccording to Virola, the Philippines continues to lag behind in terms of employment rate, tourism, life expectancy, and cellular subscriptions.\nNestor Tan, head of [BDO Unibank Inc.](https://bliptext.com/articles/bdo-unibank), said that while some businesses see the Asian Economic Blueprint (AEC) as an opportunity, the integration would be more of a threat to local firms.\nTan added that protecting the Philippines' agricultural and financial services sectors, as well as the labour sector, would be necessary for the implementation of AEC by 2015.\n[Standard & Poor's](https://bliptext.com/articles/standard-poor-s) also believed that banks in the Philippines are not yet prepared for the tougher competition that would result from the integration.\nIn one of its latest publications, S&P said banks in the country, although profitable and stable, operate on a much smaller scale than their counterparts in the region.\nThe [US Chamber of Commerce](https://bliptext.com/articles/us-chamber-of-commerce) has highlighted widespread concern that the much-anticipated AEC could not be launched by the 2015 deadline.\nIn January 2014, former ASEAN Secretary-General Rodolfo C. Severino, wrote: \"while ASEAN should not be condemned for its members' failure to make good on their commitments, any failure to deliver will likely lead to a loss of credibility and could mean that member states fall further behind in the global competition for export markets and [foreign direct investment](https://bliptext.com/articles/foreign-direct-investment) (FDI)\".\nIn 2012, the commencement of the AEC was postponed to 31 December 2015 from the original plan of 1 January.\nDespite Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan's firm reassurance that \"[t]here will be no more delays and that all ten ASEAN countries will participate\", even the most fervent proponents of AEC worried that AEC would not be delivered on time as December 2015 neared.\nAn article published by [Vietnam News](https://bliptext.com/articles/vietnam-news) echoed some of the challenges and opportunities that Vietnam faces in preparation for the AEC.\nThe article said that the deputy head of the [Ministry of Industry and Trade](https://bliptext.com/articles/ministry-of-industry-and-trade-vietnam), Tran Thanh Hai, was concerned about local enterprises' lack of knowledge of the AEC.\nIt was said that 80% of local enterprises surveyed acknowledged that they have little information about the interests and challenges available for them in the ASEAN market.\nThe article also noted that the general secretary of the Vietnam Steel Association, Chu Duc Khai, said that most of the local steel making enterprises lack information about doing business in the ASEAN market; they have not had a chance to study it, and have only exported small amounts of steel to ASEAN countries.\nAnother challenge is the need to compete with other countries in the ASEAN market to export raw products since the country had mainly exported raw products.\nThe [Asian Development Bank](https://bliptext.com/articles/asian-development-bank) also has doubts about Cambodia's ability to meet the AEC deadline.\nThe leading economist of ADB, Jayant Menon, said that Cambodia needs to speed up its customs reform and to press ahead with automating processes to reduce trade costs and minimise the opportunities for corruption and be ready for the implementation of its National Single Window by 2015.\nDespite an ASEAN Economic Community goal of significant economic integration as laid out in the AEC Blueprint 2025, ASEAN continues to face challenges towards integration.\nA report published by the Asian Trade Centre in 2019 identified multiple sectors that face challenges towards integration due to non-tariff barriers that still exist in the region.\nThe report stated that the goals of the AEC 2025 would not be accomplished if ASEAN fails to address the issues of non-tariff measures and eliminate non-tariff barriers in the region.\n\n# Security\nASEAN is recognized by its members to be one of the main forums to discuss security issues; based on the principles in its [charter](https://bliptext.com/articles/asean-charter), its main aim is to provide an environment of common understanding and cooperation between the member states to \"respond effectively to all forms of threats, transitional crimes and transboundary challenges\".\nAccordingly, ASEAN has embraced the idea of cooperative security which means that ASEAN's approach to security issues is through confidence-building measures and transparency for reducing the tension and conflict between its members.\nSecurity policies and plans are concerted by the ASEAN Political-Security Community to envision \"a concert of Southeast Asian nations, outward looking, living in peace, stability and prosperity, bonded together in partnership in dynamic development and in a community of caring societies.\"\n\n## Piracy\n[Piracy in the strait of Malacca](https://bliptext.com/articles/piracy-in-the-strait-of-malacca) and in the Sulu and Celebes Sea is one of the main non-traditional security threats for the region, it has challenged the capacity of its members to ensure coordination of effective policy actions to reduce this phenomenon.\nAs highlighted by the [ReCAAP](https://bliptext.com/articles/recaap) report of 2020: \"The increase of incidents (in Asia) during January–June 2020 occurred in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, South China Sea and Singapore Strait.\"\nThe increment of incidents during 2020, have raised alerts in the region as the phenomenon of piracy could be fostered by the social consequences of the [COVID-19 pandemic](https://bliptext.com/articles/covid-19-pandemic), in their Fourteenth Asean Ministerial Meeting On Transnational Crime the ministers agreed that ASEAN should embrace a greater commitment to strengthen the measures in combating transnational crime in the context of the pandemic.\nDespite this statement, ASEAN has not updated their plans for combating piracy, although member states created and enforced the [Maritime Security Plan of Action 2018-2020](https://bliptext.com/articles/maritime-security-plan-of-action-2018-2020), to address the national legal enforcement capacities and creating a common protocol of action to counter piracy allowing the region to cooperate for ensuring the security of the Pacific Ocean, new discussions and agendas for new measures has not been enforced yet.\nAccordingly, this plan reinforces the necessity to secure the seas due to the importance of this region geographical and economically, its strategic position as the main link between the Indian and the Pacific Ocean and the region serving as the main passage that connects middle east economies and India with China, Japan, South Korea and Australia.\nThis plan is mainly focused in three priorities:\nIn this sense, spread all over the countries of Southeast Asia, criminal organizations with complex structures pose a challenge to ASEAN's coordination capacity to solve the problem despite the plans created within its institutional framework.\nAlthough some measures have been implemented by ASEAN, still the complexity of the problem requires deep solutions of cooperation that might alter the balance of its framework.\nThe maritime security plans for the region are based on the ASEAN idea of political-security community; the two main objectives of the APSC are: \"to accelerate the economic growth, social progress and cultural development by promoting an identity of equality and partnership as the main foundations of peace and prosperity\".\nAdditionally, the APSC promotes \"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\".\nNonetheless, the institutional framework and decision-making procedures in ASEAN make difficult to reach agreements on piracy.\nASEAN has struggled to deliver a coordinated response to solve this problem in the region mainly by two reasons: the first one, could be related to the focalized nature of the problem in subregions rather than the whole region.\nConsequently, this focalization generates that the discussions in the main forums (The ASEAN maritime forum (AMF) and Maritime Security Expert Working Group (MSEWG)) have not resulted in actual measures that tackle piracy and involve all member states as major consensus should be reached to enforce them.\nOne example of this, is the possibility discussed by the 10 ASEAN member states to create a joint ASEAN navy in 2015 to carry on operations in one of the piracy hotspots in the region, the strait of Malacca, this proposal ended up being enforced by bilateral/sub-regional efforts rather than in the ASEAN framework (see [ReCAAP](https://bliptext.com/articles/recaap) for further information).\nThe second one, consensus on non-traditional security issues has been difficult to reach due to contradictory interest between member states, particularly in joint operations between navies and the reach of these joint operations.\nThese issues are generated mainly by unresolved territorial disputes, specially in the maritime domain, at some extent they pose a challenge to ASEAN members in their capacity to cooperate in regards to the [maritime security](https://bliptext.com/articles/maritime-security) approach.\nConsequently, a greater multilateral cooperation has been pushed by the members to solve the piracy challenges on economy, trading and security.\nMembers of the ASEAN, have addressed the necessity for the regional organization to make some concessions and rearrangements to respond to the challenges that non-traditional security (specifically piracy) issues posse to the security of the ASEAN members.\nDespite the efforts and plans made by the ASEAN, this organization is expected to overcome the image of being regarded solely as a forum to discuss security issues.\nTwo possible solutions has been proposed by some member states for this purpose: 1.\nPromoting relationships with other major actors regionally to overcome the short-time challenges and 2.\nRearrange the institutional framework to \"avoid contention and seek cooperation to maximize the aggregate ability in order to benefit from making the sea fulfil its economic, security and other goals\".\n\n## Future Security Framework\nIn addition to piracy, there are several significant issues facing ASEAN today, including human rights violations, repression, and democratic backsliding.\nAcross the region, various political leaders are known human rights abusers, however there is no proper accountability process, and often human rights violations are sidelined by economic or political interests.\nMyanmar is in the midst of a devastating civil war, during which the military government that was installed following a coup d’état, has carried out horrendous human rights violations against the Rohingya population.","revisionCount":1},"hasMore":false,"nextCursor":null}