View source for ASEAN

{{Short description|Association of Southeast Asian Nations}}
{{distinguish|South East Asia Cultural Organisation|Southeast Asia Treaty Organization}}
{{EngvarB|date=March 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Infobox geopolitical organisation
| name                   = {{collapsible list
 | titlestyle = text-align:center;line-height:normal;font-size:84%;
 | title = {{resize|1.25em|Association of Southeast Asian Nations}}
 | {{Infobox |subbox=yes |bodystyle=font-size:77%;font-weight:normal;
   | rowclass1 = mergedrow | label1 = [[Burmese language|Burmese]]: | data1 = {{lang|my|အရှေ့တောင်အာရှနိုင်ငံများအသင်း}}{{br}}<small>''aashaetaungaarsh ninenganmyarr aahpwal''</small>
   | rowclass2 = mergedrow | label2 = [[Filipino language|Filipino]]: | data2 = {{lang|tl|Samahan ng mga Bansa sa Timog-silangang Asya}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Ang Saligang Batas ng ASEAN|trans-title=The ASEAN Charter|url=http://www.asean.org/storage/images/archive/AC-Philippines.pdf|publisher=Association of Southeast Asian Nations|access-date=10 January 2018|language=fil|archive-date=10 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180110174642/http://www.asean.org/storage/images/archive/AC-Philippines.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
   | rowclass4 = mergedrow | label4 = [[Indonesian language|Indonesian]]:{{efn|name="IndoandMalay"}} | data4 = {{lang|id|Perhimpunan Bangsa-Bangsa Asia Tenggara}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Piagam Perhimpunan Bangsa-Bangsa Asia Tenggara|trans-title=The ASEAN Charter|url=http://www.asean.org/storage/images/archive/AC-Indonesia.pdf|publisher=Association of Southeast Asian Nations|access-date=10 January 2018|language=id|archive-date=15 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171215070010/http://www.asean.org/storage/images/archive/AC-Indonesia.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
   | rowclass5 = mergedrow | label5 = [[Khmer language|Khmer]]: | data5 = {{lang|km|សមាគមប្រជាជាតិអាស៊ីអាគ្នេយ៍}}{{br}}<small>''Samakom Pracheacheat Asi Akne''</small>
   | rowclass6 = mergedrow | label6 = [[Lao language|Lao]]: | data6 = {{lang|lo|ສະມາຄົມປະຊາຊາດແຫ່ງອາຊີຕະເວັນອອກສຽງໃຕ້}}{{br}}<small>''Samakhom pasasat haeng asi tawen-ok siang tai''</small>
   | rowclass7 = mergedrow | label7 = [[Malaysian language|Malay]]:{{efn|name="IndoandMalay"}} | data7 = {{lang|ms|Persatuan Negara-negara Asia Tenggara}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Piagam Persatuan Negara Asia Tenggara|trans-title=The ASEAN Charter|url=http://www.asean.org/storage/images/archive/AC-Malaysia.pdf|publisher=Association of Southeast Asian Nations|access-date=10 January 2018|language=ms|archive-date=10 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180110174728/http://www.asean.org/storage/images/archive/AC-Malaysia.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
   | rowclass8 = mergedrow | label8 = [[Standard Chinese|Mandarin]]: | data8 = {{lang|zh-sg|亞細安組織<br />東南亞國家聯盟<br />東南亞國家協會}}{{br}}<small>''Yàxì'ān zǔzhī<br />Dōngnányà guójiā liánméng<br />Dōngnányà guójiā xiéhuì''</small>
   | rowclass9 = mergedrow | label9 = [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]]: | data9 = {{lang|pt|Associação das Nações do Sudeste Asiático}}
   | rowclass10 = mergedrow | label10 = [[Tamil language|Tamil]]: | data10 = {{lang|ta|தென்கிழக்காசிய நாடுகளின் கூட்டமைப்பு}}{{br}}<small>''Teṉkiḻakkāciya nāṭukaḷiṉ kūṭṭamaippu''</small>
   | rowclass11 = mergedrow | label11 = [[Tetum language|Tetum]]: | data11 = {{lang|tet|Asosiasaun ba Nasaun Sudeste Aziátiku}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Timor-Leste halo preparasaun hotu-hotu hodi tama ba ASEAN |website=Governu Timor-Leste |location=Díli |date=2016-03-21 |url=https://timor-leste.gov.tl/?p=14835&lang=tp#:~:text=Asosiasaun%20Nasoins%20Sudeste%20Azi%C3%A1tiku |access-date=2025-10-25 |language=Tetum}}</ref>
   | rowclass12 = mergedrow | label12 = [[Thai language|Thai]]: | data12 = {{lang|th|สมาคมประชาชาติแห่งเอเชียตะวันออกเฉียงใต้
}}{{br}}<small>''Samakhom prachachat haeng echia tawan ok chiang tai''</small>
   | rowclass13 = mergedrow | label13 = [[Vietnamese language|Vietnamese]]: | data13= {{lang|vi|Hiệp hội các quốc gia Đông Nam Á}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Hiến chương của Hiệp hội các Quốc gia Đông Nam Á|trans-title=The ASEAN Charter|url=http://www.asean.org/storage/images/archive/AC-Vietnam.pdf|publisher=Association of Southeast Asian Nations|access-date=10 January 2018|language=vi|archive-date=10 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180110174732/http://www.asean.org/storage/images/archive/AC-Vietnam.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
 }}
| linking_name           = ASEAN
| image_flag             = ASEAN_Flag.svg
| flag_type              = Flag
| image_symbol           = Seal of ASEAN.svg
| symbol_type            = Emblem
| other_symbol           = 
| other_symbol_type      = 
| motto                  = "One Vision, One Identity, One Community"<ref name="Overview" />
| anthem                 = "[[The ASEAN Way]]"{{Paragraph break}}{{Center|[[File:ASEAN Way Anthem 2023 ASEAN Summit Rendition.ogg]]}}
| image_map              = Association of Southeast Asian Nations (orthographic projection).svg
| map_width              = 250px
| map_caption            = Member states shown in dark green
| admin_center           = [[Jakarta]], Indonesia{{efn|name="address"}}
| admin_center_type      = Headquarters<br />{{nobold|and largest city}}<ref>{{Cite web|title=ASEAN Secretariat renamed as ASEAN Headquarters to strengthen regional diplomacy|url=https://gutzy.asia/2023/09/07/asean-secretariat-renamed-as-asean-headquarters-to-strengthen-regional-diplomacy|access-date=2023-09-10|publisher=Gutzy Asia|date=2023-09-07}}</ref>
| coordinates            = {{Coord|6|14|20|S|106|47|57|E|type:landmark}}
| languages_type         = [[Working language]]
| languages              = [[English language|English]]<ref>{{cite book|title=ASEAN Charter|publisher=Association of Southeast Asian Nations|pages=29|url=http://www.asean.org/archive/publications/ASEAN-Charter.pdf|quote='''Article 34.''' The working language of ASEAN is English.|access-date=29 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151109180154/http://www.asean.org/archive/publications/ASEAN-Charter.pdf|archive-date=9 November 2015}}</ref><br />
| languages2             = {{hlist|[[Burmese language|Burmese]]|[[Standard Mandarin|Chinese (Mandarin)]]|[[Filipino language|Filipino]]|[[Indonesian language|Indonesian]]{{efn|name="IndoandMalay"}}|[[Khmer language|Khmer]]|[[Lao language|Lao]]|[[Malaysian Malay|Malay]]{{efn
|name="IndoandMalay" |"Malay" here refers to the [[Malaysian language|Malaysian standard]] of the [[Pluricentric language|pluricentric]] [[Malay language]] used in Malaysia and Singapore sister to [[Indonesian language|Indonesian]] used in Indonesia, both formal registers of these varieties are mostly [[Mutual intelligibility|mutually intelligible]]<ref>{{cite book |author=Asmah Haji Omar |title=Pluricentric Languages: Differing Norms in Different Nations |publisher=Mouton de Gruyte |year=1992 |isbn=3-11-012855-1 |editor-last=Clyne |editor-first=Michael J. |location=Berlin & New York |pages=403–4 |chapter=Malay as a pluricentric language |author-link=Asmah Haji Omar |editor-link=Michael Clyne}}</ref> but are treated separately here for geopolitical reasons. }}|[[Portuguese language|Portuguese]]|[[Tamil language|Tamil]]|[[Tetum language|Tetum]]|[[Thai language|Thai]]|[[Vietnamese language|Vietnamese]]}}
| org_type               = [[Regional organization|Regional organisation]]
| membership             = {{collapsible list
  | titlestyle = background: transparent; text-align: left; font-weight: normal;
  | title      = [[Member states of ASEAN|11 members]]
  | {{BRN}}
  | {{CAM}}
  | {{IDN}}{{efn|a transcontinental country in [[Southeast Asia]] and [[Oceania]].}}
  | {{LAO}}
  | {{MYS}}
  | {{MYA}}
  | {{PHL}}
  | {{SGP}}
  | {{THA}}
  | {{TLS}}
  | {{VNM}}
}}
{{collapsible list
  | titlestyle = background: transparent; text-align: left; font-weight: normal;
  | title      = [[Enlargement of ASEAN|1 observer]]
  | {{PNG}}
}}
| ethnic_groups          = 
| ethnic_groups_year     = 
| leader_title2          = {{nowrap|[[Secretary-General of ASEAN|Secretary-General]]}}
| leader_name2           = {{flagdeco|Cambodia}} [[Kao Kim Hourn]]
| leader_title1          = Chairman
| leader_name1           = {{flagdeco|Philippines}} [[Bongbong Marcos]]
| legislature            = [[ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly]]
| established_event1     = {{nowrap|[[ASEAN Declaration|Bangkok Declaration]]}}
| established_date1      = {{Start date and age|8 August 1967|df=y|p=y}}
| established_event2     = [[ASEAN Charter|Charter]]
| established_date2      = {{Start date and age|16 December 2008|df=y|p=y}}
| area_km2               = 4,522,518<ref name="ASEAN-Indicators">{{cite web |title=Selected Basic ASEAN Indicators |url=http://www.asean.org/images/2015/January/selected_key_indicators/Summary%20table_as%20of%20December%202014_R.pdf |website=ASEAN.organisation |publisher=ASEANstats |access-date=9 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904103519/http://www.asean.org/images/2015/January/selected_key_indicators/Summary%20table_as%20of%20December%202014_R.pdf |archive-date=4 September 2015}}</ref>
| area_sq_mi             = 1,712,602
| percent_water          = 
| population_estimate    = 683,290,000<ref name="IMFWEOASEAN" />
| population_estimate_year = 2023
| population_density_km2 = 144
| population_density_sq_mi = 373
| GDP_PPP                = {{increase}} $13.152 trillion<ref name="IMFWEOASEAN">{{Cite web|title=Report for Selected Countries and Subjects|url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2023/April/weo-report?c=516,522,536,544,548,518,566,576,578,582,&s=NGDPD,PPPGDP,NGDPDPC,PPPPC,LP,&sy=2021&ey=2028&ssm=0&scsm=1&scc=0&ssd=1&ssc=0&sic=0&sort=country&ds=.&br=1|access-date=2023-04-13|website=IMF}}</ref>
| GDP_PPP_year           = 2025
| GDP_PPP_per_capita     = {{increase}} $19,218<ref name="IMFWEOASEAN" />
| GDP_nominal            = {{increase}} $4.167 trillion<ref name="IMFWEOASEAN" />
| GDP_nominal_year       = 2025
| GDP_nominal_per_capita = {{increase}} $5,957<ref name="IMFWEOASEAN" />
| Gini_year              = 
| Gini_change            = <!--increase/decrease/steady-->
| Gini                   = <!--number only-->
| Gini_ref               = 
| HDI_year               = 2023
| HDI_change             = increase <!--increase/decrease/steady-->
| HDI                    = 0.745 <!--number only-->
| HDI_ref                = {{efn|Calculated as a mean latest estimate from the [[United Nations Development Programme|UNDP]] data of member states. See also: [[List of ASEAN countries by HDI]]}}
| time_zone              = 
| utc_offset             = [[UTC+06:30|+06:30]] to [[UTC+09:00|+09:00]]
| time_zone_DST          = 
| DST_note               = 
| utc_offset_DST         = 
| official_website       = {{official URL}}
<!-- ORPHANED:
 | footnote_c = If considered as a single entity.
 | footnote_d = [http://www.asean.org/stat/Table1.pdf Selected key basic ASEAN indicators]
 | footnote_e = [[Population growth|Annual growth]] 1.6%
 -->| area_rank              = 
| p1                     = Association of Southeast Asia
| today                  = 
}}

The '''Association of Southeast Asian Nations'''{{Efn|{{langx|my|အရှေ့တောင်အာရှနိုင်ငံများအသင်း}}<br />
{{lang-zh|亚细安组织 / 东南亚国家联盟 / 東南亞國家協會}}<br />
{{langx|fil|Samahán ng mga Bansâ sa Timog Silangang Asya}}<br />
{{langx|id|Perhimpunan Bangsa-bangsa Asia Tenggara}}<br />
{{langx|km|សមាគមប្រជាជាតិអាស៊ីអាគ្នេយ៍}}<br />
{{langx|lo|ສະມາຄົມປະຊາຊາດແຫ່ງອາຊີຕະເວັນອອກສຽງໃຕ້}}<br />
{{langx|ms|Persatuan Negara-negara Asia Tenggara}}<br />
{{langx|pt|Associação das Nações do Sudeste Asiático}}<br />
{{langx|ta|தென்கிழக்காசிய நாடுகளின் கூட்டமைப்பு}}<br />
{{langx|tet|Asosiasaun Nasoins Sudeste Aziátiku}}<br />
{{langx|th|สมาคมประชาชาติแห่งเอเชียตะวันออกเฉียงใต้}}<br />
{{langx|vi|Hiệp hội các quốc gia Đông Nam Á}}}} ('''ASEAN'''){{efn|The [[Oxford English Dictionary]],<ref>[https://www.oed.com/dictionary/asean_n?tab=pronunciation#40465449]</ref> Random House (for British English), and Collins give a pronunciation of {{IPAc-en|ˈ|æ|s|i|æ|n}} {{Respell|ASS|ee|an}}. Merriam-Webster<ref>[https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ASEAN]</ref> has {{IPAc-en|ˈ|ɑː|z|i|ɑː|n|}} {{Respell|AH|zee|ahn}}, and the [[Voice of America]] recommends {{IPAc-en|ˈ|ɑː|s|i|ɑː|n|}} {{Respell|AH|see|ahn}}.<ref name="Pronounce">{{cite web|title=How do you say ASEAN?|url=https://pronounce.voanews.com/phrasedetail.php?name=ASEAN|website=Voice of America Pronunciation Guide|publisher=VOA|access-date=31 January 2020|archive-date=26 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726093607/https://pronounce.voanews.com/phrasedetail.php?name=ASEAN|url-status=live}}</ref>}} is a regional grouping of all [[Member states of ASEAN|11 states]] in [[Southeast Asia]], which aims to promote economic and security cooperation among its members.<ref name="cfr-asean">{{Cite web |last1=Hong |first1=Lynn |last2=Maizland |first2=Lindsay |last3=Galina |first3=Carlos |last4=Albert |first4=Eleanor |last5=Fong |first5=Clara |title=What Is ASEAN? |url=https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/what-asean |work=[[Council on Foreign Relations]] |access-date=26 October 2025 |language=en}}</ref> Together, its member states represent a population of more than 600 million people and a land area of over {{convert|4.5|e6km2|e6sqmi|abbr=unit}}.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-06-28 |title=ASEAN {{!}} Definition, History, & Facts {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/ASEAN |access-date=2023-07-09 |website=britannica.com}}</ref> The bloc generated a [[purchasing power parity]] (PPP) [[gross domestic product]] (GDP) of around {{US$|10.2}}{{nbsp}}trillion in 2022, constituting approximately 6.5% of global [[List of countries by GDP (PPP)|GDP (PPP)]].<ref name="IMFWEOASEAN" /> ASEAN member states include some of the fastest growing economies in the world, and the institution plays an integral role in East Asian regionalism.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Yoshimatsu |first=Hidetaka |date=2023 |title=Meanings, norms, and social constitution: revisiting ASEAN centrality in East Asian regionalism |journal=Japanese Journal of Political Science|volume=24 |issue=4 |pages=409–423 |doi=10.1017/S1468109923000257 |issn=1468-1099|doi-access=free }}</ref>

The 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 [[Charter of the United Nations|United Nations Charter]]."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Overview – ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS |url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meetdocs/2004_2009/documents/fd/04_asean-generalin/04_asean-generalinfo.pdf}}</ref> In recent years, the bloc has broadened its objectives beyond economic and social spheres. The current [[Secretary-General of ASEAN|Secretary-General]] is [[Kao Kim Hourn]], while the chairmanship for this year is held by [[Malaysia]], led by [[Prime Minister of Malaysia|Prime Minister]] [[Anwar Ibrahim]]. The ASEAN chairmanship was handed over formally to the [[Philippines]] for 2026 on 28 October 2025. Full chairmanship will be assumed on 1 January 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Philippines to take ASEAN chair with focus on South China Sea |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/philippines-asean-chair-2026-south-china-sea-5429731 |access-date=2025-10-29 |website=CNA |language=en}}</ref>

ASEAN engages with other international entities in the [[Asia-Pacific]] region and other parts of the world. It is a major partner of the {{abbrlink|UN|United Nations}}, {{abbrlink|SCO|Shanghai Cooperation Organisation}}, {{abbrlink|PA|Pacific Alliance}}, {{abbrlink|GCC|Gulf Cooperation Council}}, [[Mercosur]], {{abbrlink|CELAC|Community of Latin American and Caribbean States}}, and {{abbrlink|ECO|Economic Cooperation Organization}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://asean.org/our-communities/asean-political-security-community/outward-looking-community/external-relations/international-regional-organisation/ |title=International/Regional Organisation |website=ASEAN}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) |url=http://ustr.gov/issue-areas/trade-organizations/asia-pacific-economic-cooperation-apec |access-date=2023-05-21 |website=United States Trade Representative}}</ref> Its success has become the driving force of some of the largest trade blocs in history, including {{abbrlink|APEC|Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation}} and {{abbrlink|RCEP|Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership}}.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/a-trade-pact-nearly-10-years-in-the-making-5-things-to-know-about-rcep |title=A trade pact nearly 10 years in the making: 5 things to know about RCEP &#124; the Straits Times |newspaper=The Straits Times |date=15 November 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Economy/Trade/India-stays-away-from-RCEP-talks-in-Bali |title=India stays away from RCEP talks in Bali}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pecc.org/resources/doc_view/601-back-to-canberra-founding-apec |title=PECC – Back to Canberra: Founding APEC |date=30 September 2005 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://harvardpolitics.com/asean-beats-the-odds/ |title=Beating the Odds: How ASEAN Helped Southeast Asia Succeed |date=15 March 2020}}</ref>
{{TOC limit}}

==History==
{{Main|History of ASEAN}}

===Background===
{{Further info|History of Southeast Asia}}
Besides their close geographic proximity, political scholars consider [[Southeast Asia]]n nations a cultural crossroads between [[East Asia]] and [[South Asia]], located at critical junctions of the [[South China Sea]] as well as the [[Indian Ocean]], and as a result received a great deal of [[Arabic|Islamic]] and [[Persians|Persian]] influence prior to the [[Europe]]an colonial ages.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Reid |first=Anthony |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2TRPCAAAQBAJ&dq=history+of+southeast+asia&pg=PA13 |title=A History of Southeast Asia: Critical Crossroads |date=2015-03-03 |publisher=John Wiley & Sons |isbn=978-1-118-51293-7 |page=13}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Muhammad Ismail Marcinkowski |title=Persian Religious and Cultural Influences in Siam/Thailand and Maritime Southeast Asia in Historical Perspective: A Plea for a Concerted Interdisciplinary Approach |url=https://thesiamsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2000/03/JSS_088_0q_Marcinkowski_PersianReligiousCulturalInfluences.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200718124016/https://thesiamsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2000/03/JSS_088_0q_Marcinkowski_PersianReligiousCulturalInfluences.pdf |archive-date=18 July 2020 |access-date=28 July 2022 |website=Thesiamsociety.org}}</ref>

Since around 100 BCE, the Southeast Asian archipelago occupied a central position at the crossroads of the [[Indian Ocean]] and the [[South China Sea]] trading routes, which stimulated the economy and the influx of ideas.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Reid |first=Anthony |date=February 1990 |title=An 'Age of Commerce' in Southeast Asian History |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/modern-asian-studies/article/abs/an-age-of-commerce-in-southeast-asian-history/E09ED31B7CDB61464CA851C688C83A28 |journal=Modern Asian Studies |volume=24 |issue=1 |pages=1–30 |doi=10.1017/S0026749X00001153 |issn=1469-8099 |s2cid=128602618|url-access=subscription }}</ref> This included the introduction of [[Abugida|abugida scripts]] to Southeast Asia as well as the [[Chữ Nôm|Chinese script]] to [[Literary Chinese in Vietnam|Vietnam]]. Besides various indigenous scripts, various abugida [[Brahmic scripts]] were widespread in both continental and insular Southeast Asia. Historically, scripts such as [[Pallava script|Pallava]], [[Kawi script|Kawi]] (from ancient [[Sanskrit language|Sanskrit]] script) and [[Rencong script|Rencong]] or ''Surat Ulu'' were used to write [[Old Malay]], until they were replaced by [[Jawi script|Jawi]] during [[Islam]]ic [[missionary]] missions in the [[Malay Archipelago]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Fadeli |first=Muhammad Al-Amin Mohd |title=Malay History & Culture |date=2019 |display-authors=etal |via=Academia}}</ref>

[[European colonial]]ism influenced most ASEAN countries, including [[French Indochina]] (present-day [[Vietnam]], [[Laos]] and [[Cambodia]]), [[British rule in Burma|British Burma]], [[British Malaya|Malaya]] and [[British Borneo|Borneo]] (present-day [[Myanmar]], [[Malaysia]] and [[Singapore]], and [[Brunei]]), [[Dutch East Indies]] (present day [[Indonesia]]), [[Spanish East Indies]] (present-day [[Philippines]] and various other colonies), and [[Portuguese Timor]] (present-day [[Timor-Leste]]), with only [[Thailand]] (then [[Siam]]) not formed from a prior European colony.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Acharya |first=Amitav |url=https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1355/9789814311250/html |title=The Making of Southeast Asia |date=2012-11-22 |publisher=ISEAS Publishing |isbn=978-981-4311-25-0 |doi=10.1355/9789814311250}}</ref> Siam served as the buffer state, sandwiched between British Burma and French Indochina, but its kings had to contend with [[Bowring Treaty|unequal treaties]] as well as British and French political interference and territorial losses after the [[Franco-Siamese conflict of 1893]] and the [[Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909]].<ref>{{Cite journal |date=1909 |title=Treaty between Great Britain and Siam |journal=The American Journal of International Law |volume=3 |issue=4 |pages=297–304 |doi=10.2307/2212641 |issn=0002-9300 |jstor=2212641 |s2cid=246007886}}</ref> Under European colonisation, Southeast Asian nations were introduced to European religions and technologies, as well as the [[Latin alphabet]].

The [[Empire of Japan]], in the vein of the [[Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere]] concept, sought to unite and create a pan-Asian identity against [[Western imperialism in Asia|Western colonial occupation]], but Japan's alliance with the [[Axis powers]] in [[World War II]] soured relations between many colonies of Europe and the United States.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hirai |first=L. Stuart |date=2022-12-07 |title=How the US and Japan Went From Enemies to Allies After WWII |url=https://www.history.com/articles/post-wwii-us-japan-occupation-allies |access-date=2025-10-29 |website=HISTORY |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Milestones in the History of U.S. Foreign Relations - Office of the Historian |url=https://history.state.gov/milestones/1937-1945/pearl-harbor |access-date=2025-10-29 |website=history.state.gov}}</ref> Defeat of Imperial Japan eventuated in [[Decolonization of Asia|decolonisation movements]] throughout Southeast Asia, resulting in the independent ASEAN states seen today.

===Formation===
{{main|ASEAN Declaration|}}

[[File:ST 20170326 STKISHOREBOOKOA4Q 3027316-2-640x480.jpg|thumb|Signing of the [[ASEAN Declaration]] by five Foreign Ministers in Bangkok on 8 August 1967 ]]
The predecessor of ASEAN was the Association of Southeast Asia (ASA), formed on 31 July 1961 and consisting of [[Thailand]], the [[Philippines]], and [[Federation of Malaya|Malaya]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Tarling |first1=Nicholas |title=The Cambridge History of Southeast Asia: Volume 2, Part 2, From World War II to the Present |year=1999 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-0-521-66372-4 |page=287 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=U0trzUvic-8C&pg=PA287 |access-date=7 January 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Ooi |first1=Keat Gin |title=Southeast Asia: A Historical Encyclopedia, from Angkor Wat to East Timor |year=2004 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=978-1-57607-770-2 |page=186 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QKgraWbb7yoC&pg=PA186 |access-date=7 January 2021}}</ref> ASEAN itself was created on 8 August 1967, when the [[foreign minister]]s of five countries - [[Indonesia]], [[Malaysia]], the [[Philippines]], [[Singapore]], and [[Thailand]] - signed the [[ASEAN Declaration]] at [[Saranrom Palace]] in [[Bangkok]], negotiated in [[Lam Thaen Guest House]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Liow |first1=Joseph |last2=Leifer |first2=Michael |title=Dictionary of the Modern Politics of Southeast Asia |date=20 November 2014 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-317-62233-8 |pages=82–85 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=G5KLBQAAQBAJ&pg=PA82 |access-date=7 January 2021}}</ref> According 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]] and maintain close cooperation with existing international organisations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asean.org/news/item/the-asean-declaration-bangkok-declaration|title=The Asean Declaration (Bangkok Declaration) Bangkok, 8 August 1967|publisher=ASEAN|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150211121705/http://www.asean.org/news/item/the-asean-declaration-bangkok-declaration|archive-date=11 February 2015|access-date=17 June 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://asean.org/what-we-do|title=What We Do|work=ASEAN|access-date=26 October 2025|archive-date=16 May 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250516114321/https://asean.org/web/20250516114321/https://asean.org/what-we-do|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:ASEAN's Big Five.jpg|thumb|ASEAN's [[ASEAN Declaration#Signatories|Big Five]] — (L to R) Philippine Foreign Secretary [[Narciso Ramos]], Indonesian Foreign Minister [[Adam Malik]], Thai Foreign Minister [[Thanat Khoman]], Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister [[Abdul Razak Hussein|Tun Abdul Razak]], and Singaporean Foreign Minister [[S. Rajaratnam]].]]
The creation of ASEAN was initially motivated by [[anti-communism|the desire to contain communism]],<ref name="cfr-asean" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Historical Overview of ASEAN |url=https://www.aph.gov.au/parliamentary_business/committees/house_of_representatives_committees?url=jfadt/asean/aseanch1.pdf}}</ref> which had taken a foothold in mainland Asia after [[World War II]], with the formation of communist governments in [[North Korea]], [[China]], and [[North Vietnam|Vietnam]], accompanied by the so-called communist "emergency" in [[British Malaya]], and unrest in the recently decolonised [[Philippines]].

These events also encouraged the earlier formation of the [[South East Asia Treaty Organization]] (SEATO), led by the [[United States]], [[United Kingdom]], and [[Australia]], with several Southeast Asian partners in 1954 as an extension of "containment" policy, seeking to create an Eastern version of [[NATO]].<ref>{{cite book |title=The Asia-Pacific Profile |author1=Bernard Eccleston |author2=Michael Dawson |author3=Deborah J. McNamara |year=1998 |publisher=Routledge (UK) |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l07ak-yd6DAC&q=%22Bangkok+Declaration%22+ASEAN&pg=RA1-PA311 |isbn=978-0-415-17279-0 |access-date=3 June 2020 |archive-date=30 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930053135/https://books.google.com/books?id=l07ak-yd6DAC&pg=RA1-PA311&lpg=RA1-PA311&dq=%22Bangkok+Declaration%22+ASEAN |url-status=live }}</ref> However, 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]] in April 1975 and the decline of SEATO.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Beeson |first=Mark |title=Institutions of the Asia–Pacific: ASEAN, APEC, and beyond |date=2009 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0-415-46504-5 |series=Global institutions series |location=London |pages=65|quote=Despite the previously discussed potential limitations of the ASEAN way and its preference for voluntarism and consensus, it was felt that this form of multilateralism had more chance of success than some of its institutional predecessors like SEATO, which was unable to demonstrate "either a viable political purpose or a military function."}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |title=The ASEAN: Thirty years and beyond |date=1997 |isbn=978-971-15-0360-4 |editor-last=Aranal-Sereno |editor-first=Maria Lourdes |location=Quezon City |pages=271, 460 |quote=Regional cooperation flourished when the smaller countries took the leadership in developing such organizations as ASEAN ... As the US forces moved on to strategic weakness and disengagement, heightened insecurity caught up with Southeast Asian countries and, ironically, gave ASEAN a sense of being. |editor-last2=Santiago |editor-first2=Joseph Sedfrey}}</ref>

ASEAN's first summit meeting, held in [[Bali]], Indonesia, in 1976, resulted in an agreement on several industrial projects and the signing of a [[Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia|Treaty of Amity and Cooperation]], and a Declaration of Concord. The end of the [[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]] and security issues.<ref>Moon, C. (2014). ASEAN. Encyclopædia Britannica</ref>

On 15 December 1995, the [[Southeast Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty]] was signed to turn Southeast Asia into a [[nuclear-weapon-free zone]]. The treaty took effect on 28 March 1997 after all but one of the member states had ratified it. It became fully effective on 21 June 2001 after the Philippines ratified it, effectively banning all nuclear weapons in the region.<ref name="NWFZ">[http://disarmament.un.org/TreatyStatus.nsf/Bangkok%20Treaty%20(in%20alphabetical%20order)?OpenView Bangkok Treaty (in alphabetical order) At UNODA] United Nations. Retrieved 4 September 2008. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728143121/http://disarmament.un.org/TreatyStatus.nsf/Bangkok%20Treaty%20%28in%20alphabetical%20order%29?OpenView|date=28 July 2011}}</ref>

===Expansion===
[[File:ASEAN explained in 5 minutes.webm|thumb|Video: ASEAN explained in 5 minutes]]
On 7 January 1984, [[Brunei]] became ASEAN's sixth member<ref>{{cite web|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2700.htm|title=Background Note:Brunei Darussalam/Profile:/Foreign Relations|publisher=US State Department|access-date=6 March 2007|archive-date=4 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190604183451/https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2700.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> and on 28 July 1995, following the end of the [[Cold War]], [[Vietnam]] joined as the seventh member.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asean.org/10098.htm|title=Vietnam in ASEAN: Toward Cooperation for Mutual Benefits|year=2007|work=ASEAN Secretariat|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511153326/http://www.asean.org/10098.htm|archive-date=11 May 2011|access-date=28 August 2009}}</ref> [[Laos]] and [[Myanmar]] (formerly Burma) joined two years later on 23 July 1997.<ref name="enlargement">{{cite book|title=ASEAN Enlargement: impacts and implications|author1=Carolyn L. Gates|author2=Mya Than|publisher=Institute of Southeast Asian Studies|year=2001|isbn=978-981-230-081-2}}</ref> [[Cambodia]] was to join at the same time as [[Laos]] and [[Myanmar]], but a [[1997 Cambodian coup d'état|Cambodian coup in 1997]] and other internal instability delayed its entry.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Diplomatic pragmatism: ASEAN's response to the July 1997 coup {{!}} Conciliation Resources|url=https://www.c-r.org/accord/cambodia/diplomatic-pragmatism-aseans-response-july-1997-coup|access-date=2021-02-27|website=c-r.org}}</ref> It then joined on 30 April 1999 following the stabilisation of its government.<ref name="enlargement" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asean.org/3338.htm|title=Statement by the Secretary-General of ASEAN Welcoming the Kingdom of Cambodia as the Tenth Member State of ASEAN: 30 April 1999, ASEAN Secretariat|year=2008|work=ASEAN Secretariat|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511153639/http://www.asean.org/3338.htm|archive-date=11 May 2011|access-date=28 August 2009}}</ref> [[Timor-Leste]] [[Accession of Timor-Leste to ASEAN|joined ASEAN on 26 October 2025]] during the [[47th ASEAN Summit]] as its 11th member, completing a two-decade accession process.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Risling |first=David |last2=Ng |first2=Eileen |last3=Megerian |first3=Chris |date=2025-10-26 |title=East Timor joins ASEAN in bloc's first expansion since the 1990s |url=https://apnews.com/article/east-timor-asean-first-expansion-fbc05e88d80a998a5ea542806437a76c |access-date=2025-10-27 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref><ref name="ASEAN">{{Cite web |title=Forging a New Era: Timor-Leste Admitted into ASEAN |url=https://asean.org/forging-a-new-era-timor-leste-admitted-into-asean/ |date=2025-10-26 |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=[[Association of Southeast Asian Nations|ASEAN]]}}</ref>

In 2006, ASEAN was given [[United Nations General Assembly observers|observer status at the United Nations General Assembly]].<ref>[http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/news/view_article.php?article_id=28822 RP resolution for observer status in UN assembly OK'd], Philippine Daily Inquirer, 13 March 2007. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100826051047/http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/news/view_article.php?article_id=28822 |date=26 August 2010 }}</ref> In response, the organisation awarded the status of "dialogue partner" to the UN.<ref>{{cite news |title=Philippines to Represent ASEAN in UN Meetings in NY, Geneva |url=http://asia.news.yahoo.com/070307/4/2ykdn.html |work=Yahoo! News |date=7 March 2007 |access-date=13 March 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070312113724/http://asia.news.yahoo.com/070307/4/2ykdn.html |archive-date=12 March 2007 }}</ref> The UK and ASEAN are also perusing a dialogue partnership.<ref>{{Cite web |title=You are being redirected... |url=https://asean.org/asean-uk-joint-ministerial-statement-enhancing-connectivity-for-a-prosperous-and-sustainable-future/ |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=asean.org |date=27 July 2024 }}</ref>

===The ASEAN Charter===
{{Main|ASEAN Charter}}

On 15 December 2008, the member states met in [[Jakarta]] to launch the charter signed in November 2007, to move closer to "an [[European Union|EU]]-style community".<ref name="AFPCharter">{{cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/world/momentous-day-for-asean-as-charter-comes-into-force-20081215-6yx4.html|title='Momentous' day for ASEAN as charter comes into force|website=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=15 December 2008|access-date=16 December 2008}}</ref> The charter formally established ASEAN as a legal entity, aiming to create a single trade bloc for a region encompassing 500 million people. Indonesian president [[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". Referring 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".

The [[2008 financial crisis]] was seen as a threat to the charter's goals,<ref name="ReutersCharter">{{cite news |url=http://in.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idINIndia-37031520081215|title=ASEAN launches charter under shadow of crisis|author1=Olivia Rondon |author2=Suhartono, Harry|work=Reuters |date=15 December 2008|access-date=16 December 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081220192555/http://in.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idINIndia-37031520081215| archive-date= 20 December 2008 | url-status=dead}}</ref> and also set forth the idea of a proposed human rights body to be discussed at a future summit in February 2009. This proposition caused controversy, although the body would not have the power to impose sanctions or punish countries which violated citizens' rights and would, therefore, be limited in effectiveness.<ref name="IHTCharter">{{cite news|title=ASEAN charter comes into force |url=http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/12/15/asia/AS-ASEAN-Charter.php |access-date=12 May 2015 |work=International Herald Tribune |via=Associated Press |date=15 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090210032138/http://iht.com/articles/ap/2008/12/15/asia/AS-ASEAN-Charter.php |archive-date=10 February 2009 }}</ref> The body was established later in 2009 as the [[ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights]] (AICHR).

In November 2012, the commission adopted the [[ASEAN Human Rights Declaration]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Wong|first1=Chun Han|title=Asean Human-Rights Pledge Leaves Critics Cool|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887323353204578126803863141948|access-date=8 February 2015|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] Asia|date=18 November 2012|archive-date=30 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930053136/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887323353204578126803863141948|url-status=live}}</ref> However, 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. Likewise, the [[Human Rights Watch]] in the [[United States of America]] noted several important fundamental rights were omitted or not clearly established.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The ASEAN Political-Security Community and Its Dilemmas {{!}} The SAGE Handbook of Asian Foreign Policy – Credo Reference |url=https://search.credoreference.com/content/entry/sageukasian/the_asean_political_security_community_and_its_dilemmas/0 |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=search.credoreference.com}}</ref>

The chairmanship of ASEAN rotates among the member states. [[Malaysia]] holds the position for 2025. Recent ASEAN chairs are as follows:<ref>{{Cite web |title=ASEAN Chairmanship Role |url=https://asean.org/category/chairmanship/ |access-date=January 15, 2025 |website=ASEAN Website}}</ref> 
{| class="wikitable" style="border:none;background:transparent;"
|+ASEAN Chairs
!Year!!Country
|rowspan="99" style="border:none;background:transparent;"|
!Year!!Country
|rowspan="99" style="border:none;background:transparent;"|
!Year!!Country
|-
|2008||{{flag|Thailand}}
|2015||{{flag|Malaysia}}
|2022||{{flag|Cambodia}}
|-
|2009||{{flag|Thailand}}
|2016||{{flag|Laos}}
|2023||{{flag|Indonesia}}
|-
|2010||{{flag|Vietnam}}
|2017||{{flag|Philippines}}
|2024||{{flag|Laos}}
|-
|2011||{{flag|Indonesia}}
|2018||{{flag|Singapore}}
|2025||{{flag|Malaysia}}
|-
|2012||{{flag|Cambodia}}
|2019||{{flag|Thailand}}
|-
|2013||{{flag|Brunei}}
|2020||{{flag|Vietnam}}
|-
|2014||{{flag|Myanmar}}
|2021||{{flag|Brunei}}
|}

===Public health===
In response to pandemics, ASEAN has coordinated with ASEAN+3 and other actors to create a regional public health response.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ASEAN Health Sector Efforts in the Prevention, Detection and Response to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) |url=https://asean.org/asean-health-sector-efforts-in-the-prevention-detection-and-response-to-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-1/ |access-date=2025-01-15 |website=asean.org}}</ref>

====SARS outbreak====
During the [[2002–2004 SARS outbreak|SARS outbreak]], ASEAN and ASEAN+3 worked together to devise a response to the outbreak. Immediate and short-to-medium term measures were devised. The parties agreed to enhance sharing of best practices against the disease while also agreeing to bolster collaboration between their respective health authorities and harmonise travel procedures to ensure that proper health screening would occur. In 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.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Caballero-Anthony |first=Mely |date=June 2005 |title=SARS in Asia: Crisis, Vulnerabilities, and Regional Responses |journal=Asian Survey |volume=45 |issue=3 |pages=475–495|doi=10.1525/as.2005.45.3.475 }}</ref>

====H1N1 Pandemic====
ASEAN held a special meeting between ASEAN and ASEAN+3 health ministers on 8 May 2009, on responding to the [[2009 swine flu pandemic|H1N1 pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 May 2009 |title=Press Release – "Full Marks" for ASEAN in Common Defense Against Influenza A (H1N1), Bangkok, 8 May 2009 |url=https://asean.org/press-release-full-marks-for-asean-in-common-defense-against-influenza-a-h1n1-bangkok-8-may-2009-2/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210615011241/https://asean.org/press-release-full-marks-for-asean-in-common-defense-against-influenza-a-h1n1-bangkok-8-may-2009-2/ |archive-date=15 June 2021 |website=ASEAN}}</ref> At 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.

===Myanmar crisis===
Since 2017, political, military and ethnic affairs in [[Myanmar]] have posed unusual challenges for ASEAN, creating precedent-breaking situations and threatening the traditions and unity of the group, and its global standing<ref name="myanmar_coup_asean_split_2021_03_29_dw_com">[https://www.dw.com/en/myanmar-coup-asean-ties/a-57042503 "Myanmar coup: ASEAN split over the way forward,"] 29 March 2021, [[Deutsche Welle]], ([https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4163647 same article] at ''[[Taiwan News]]'') retrieved 7 November 2021</ref><ref name="aseans_future_2021_06_21_foreignpolicy_com">Laksmana, Evan A. (Centre on Asia and Globalisation, [[National University of Singapore]]): [https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/06/21/asean-myanmar-brunei-southeast-asia-special-envoy-junta-humanitarian-aid-aha-center/ "ASEAN's Future Will Be Decided in Myanmar,"] date, ''[[Foreign Policy (magazine)|Foreign Policy]],'' retrieved 7 November 2021</ref><ref name="myanmar_pushes_asean_lowyinstitute_org">Williams, Nicola: [https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/myanmar-pushes-asean-brink "Myanmar pushes ASEAN to the brink,"] 10 June 2021, ''The Interpreter,'' [[Lowy Institute]], retrieved 8 November 2021 (''"The Myanmar coup presents to ASEAN the most serious threat to the importance of its regional diplomacy since the Cold War."'')</ref> - with ASEAN responses indicating possible fundamental change in the nature of the organisation.<ref name="breaking_resistance_2018_12_06_jakarta_post">Wisnu, Dinna (Indonesian representative to the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights):  [http://www.thejakartapost.com/academia/2018/12/06/breaking-resistance-to-human-rights-democracies-and-rohingya.html "Breaking resistance to human rights: Democracies and Rohingya,"]  6 December 2018, ''[[Jakarta Post]]'' retrieved December 2018</ref><ref name="asean_pushes_boundaries_2021_04_26_reuters">{{Cite news |last1=Wongcha-um |first1=Panu |last2=Johnson |first2=Kay |date=2021-04-26 |title=Analysis: On Myanmar, ASEAN pushes boundaries of "non-interference"|work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/myanmar-asean-pushes-boundaries-non-interference-2021-04-26/ |access-date=2023-05-22}}</ref><ref name="why_aseans_rebuke_2021_10_21_iiss_org">[https://www.iiss.org/blogs/analysis/2021/10/why-aseans-rebuke-of-myanmars-top-general-matters Analysis: "Why ASEAN's rebuke of Myanmar's top general matters,"] 21 October 2021, [[International Institute for Strategic Studies]], retrieved November, 2021</ref>

====Rohingya genocide====
The [[Rohingya genocide]] erupting in [[Myanmar]] in August 2017 - killing thousands of [[Rohingya people]] in Myanmar,<ref name="msf_estimates_2017_12_13_bbc">[http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-42348214 "MSF estimates more than 6,700 Rohingya killed in Myanmar,"]  13 December 2017, [[BBC News]], retrieved December 2017 (same topic at [[CBS News]][https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rohingya-myanmar-thousands-killed-2-months-doctors-without-borders-msf-says/], [[The Independent]][http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/rohingya-crisis-latest-6700-muslims-killed-two-months-burma-doctors-without-borders-persecution-a8109131.html], [[Toronto Star]][https://www.thestar.com/news/world/2017/12/14/at-least-6700-rohingya-killed-in-myanmar-between-august-and-september-aid-group-says.html], and [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]][http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-12-14/rohingya-death-toll-in-the-thousands-says-msf/9260552])</ref><ref name="kill_all_you_see_2020_09_08_nytimes_com">[https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/08/world/asia/myanmar-rohingya-genocide.html "'Kill All You See': In a First, Myanmar Soldiers Tell of Rohingya Slaughter,"] 8 September 2020, ''[[New York Times]],'' retrieved 7 November 2021</ref><ref name="estimated_24000_murdered_2018_08_17_dhaka_tribune">[https://www.dhakatribune.com/world/south-asia/2018/08/17/study-claims-an-estimated-24-000-rohingya-murdered-in-myanmar "Study claims an estimated 24,000 Rohingyas murdered in Myanmar"] 17 August 2018, ''[[Dhaka Tribune]]'' retrieved 7 November 2021</ref> driving most into neighbouring [[Bangladesh]], and continuing for months<ref name="refugees_flee_2017_09_05_reuters_nbc">[https://www.nbcnews.com/slideshow/rohingya-muslims-flee-myanmar-trudging-through-treacherous-terrain-n798896 "Over 123,000 Rohingya Refugees Flee Violence in Myanmar,"], 5 September 2017, [[Reuters News Service]] / ''[[NBC]]'' retrieved September 2017</ref><ref name="textbook_example_2017_09_12_wash_post">[https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/textbook-example-of-ethnic-cleansing--370000-rohingyas-flood-bangladesh-as-crisis-worsens/2017/09/12/24bf290e-8792-41e9-a769-c79d7326bed0_story.html "'Textbook example of ethnic cleansing': 370,000 Rohingyas flood Bangladesh as crisis worsens,"], 12 September 2017, ''[[Washington Post]]'' retrieved September 2017</ref><ref name="myanmar_planned_attacks_2017_21_19_afp_cna">[https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/myanmar-planned-rohingya-attacks-possibly-genocide-un-rights-9508588 "Myanmar 'planned' Rohingya attacks, possibly 'genocide': UN rights chief,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223043844/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/myanmar-planned-rohingya-attacks-possibly-genocide-un-rights-9508588|date=23 December 2017}} 19 December 2017, [[Agence France-Presse]] in ''[[Channel NewsAsia]],'' (also at [[SBS News]] [https://www.sbs.com.au/news/myanmar-planned-rohingya-attacks-possibly-genocide-un-rights-chief], retrieved December 2017</ref> - created a global outcry demanding ASEAN take action against the civilian-military [[coalition government]] of Myanmar, which had long discriminated against the Rohingya, and had launched the 2017 attacks upon them.<ref name="under_microscope_2018_11_08_reuters_usnews_com">[https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2018-11-08/rohingya-crisis-suu-kyi-under-the-microscope-at-southeast-asia-summit "Rohingya Crisis, Suu Kyi Under the Microscope at Southeast Asia Summit,"] 8 November 2018, [[Reuters News Service]] in  ''[[U.S. News]],'' (same article at ''[[New York Times]]'' [https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2018/11/08/world/asia/08reuters-asean-summit.html]), retrieved November 2018</ref><ref name="aseans_limited_role_2018_10_12_thediplomat_com">[https://thediplomat.com/2018/10/aseans-limited-role-in-solving-the-rohingya-crisis/ "ASEAN's Limited Role in Solving the Rohingya Crisis,"] 12 October 2018, ''[[The Diplomat (magazine)|The Diplomat]],'' retrieved 7 November 2021</ref><ref name="the_rohingya_crisis_us_response_2017_10_05_state_gov">[https://2017-2021.state.gov/the-rohingya-crisis-u-s-response-to-the-tragedy-in-burma/index.html " The Rohingya Crisis: U.S. Response to the Tragedy in Burma,"] testimony, 5 October 2017, ''[[U.S. State Department]],'' retrieved 7 November 2021</ref>
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As the Rohingya were predominantly [[Muslim]] (in [[Buddhist]]-dominated Myanmar), and the ethnic cleansing was framed in religious terms, other largely-Muslim ASEAN nations (particularly Malaysia,<ref name="barely_a_peep_2017_12_17_forbes">Muslimin, Anis Shakirah Mohd: [https://www.forbes.com/sites/anismuslimin/2017/12/17/aseans-rohingya-response-barely-a-peep-outside-of-malaysia/ "ASEAN's Rohingya Response: Barely a Peep Outside of Malaysia"] December 17, 2017, ''[[Forbes]]'' retrieved December 2017</ref><ref name="aung_san_suu_kyi_asks_2018_03_18_theguardian_com">[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/mar/18/aung-san-suu-kyi-asks-australia-and-asean-for-help-with-rohingya-crisis "Aung San Suu Kyi asks Australia and ASEAN for help with Rohingya crisis,"] March 18, 2018, ''[[The Guardian]],'' retrieved March 2018</ref><ref name="mahathir_slams_suu_kyi_2018_11_13_ap_foxnews">[https://www.foxnews.com/world/mahathir-slams-myanmars-suu-kyi-for-handling-of-rohingya "Mahathir slams Myanmar's Suu Kyi for handling of Rohingya"]  November 13, 2018, [[Associated Press]] in [[Fox News]], retrieved November 6, 2021</ref> Indonesia,<ref name="under_microscope_2018_11_08_reuters_usnews_com" /><ref name="barely_a_peep_2017_12_17_forbes" /> Singapore,<ref name="under_microscope_2018_11_08_reuters_usnews_com" /> and Brunei<ref name="under_microscope_2018_11_08_reuters_usnews_com" /><ref name="barely_a_peep_2017_12_17_forbes" />) objected, some strongly<ref name="under_microscope_2018_11_08_reuters_usnews_com" /><ref name="myanmar_coup_asean_split_2021_03_29_dw_com" /><ref name="islamic_countries_2018_05_07_times_of_india">[https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/south-asia/islamic-countries-call-rohingya-crisis-ethnic-cleansing/articleshow/64063168.cms  "Islamic countries call Rohingya crisis 'ethnic cleansing',"] May 7, 2018, ''[[Times of India]]'' retrieved May 2018</ref>—and also objected to the burden of Rohingya refugees arriving on their shores<ref name="totally_shameful_2020_06_26_jakarta_post" /> (as did ASEAN neighbours Buddhist-dominated Thailand<ref name="totally_shameful_2020_06_26_jakarta_post" /><ref name="asean_must_pressure_2018_12_17_thestar_com_my">[https://www.thestar.com.my/news/regional/2018/12/17/asean-must-pressure-myanmar-and-suu-kyi-on-rohingya-issue/ "ASEAN must pressure Myanmar and Suu Kyi on Rohingya issue, says Dr M.,"] December 17, 2018, ''[[The Star (Malaysia)|The Star]]''  (Malaysia)  retrieved December 2018</ref> and Muslim-dominated observer-nation Bangladesh.<ref name="bd_wants_safe_zone_2019 Jan 29_unb_com_bd">[http://unb.com.bd/category/Bangladesh/bd-wants-myanmar-to-create-safe-zone-for-rohingyas-under-supervision-of-asean/11615 "BD wants Myanmar to create safe zone for Rohingyas under supervision of ASEAN,"]  January 29, 2019, ''[[United News of Bangladesh]],'' retrieved February 2019</ref><ref name="dhaka_seeks_2019_07_22_thedailystar_net">[https://www.thedailystar.net/rohingya-crisis/myanmar-rohingya-crisis-dhaka-seeks-nam-asean-member-states-role-1775227 "Dhaka seeks NAM, ASEAN member states' role,"] July 22, 2019, ''[[Daily Star (Bangladesh)]],'' retrieved November 6, 2021</ref><ref name="bangladesh_calls_2021_04_20_cnbc">[https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/20/bangladesh-calls-on-asean-to-pressure-myanmar-to-take-rohingya-refugees-.html "Bangladesh calls on ASEAN to pressure Myanmar to take Rohingya refugees,"] April 20, 2021, ''[[CNBC]],'' retrieved November 7, 2021</ref>

Myanmar's civilian leader, [[Aung San Suu Kyi]], also reportedly asked ASEAN for help with the Rohingya crisis, in March 2018, but was rebuffed by ASEAN's chair, who said it was an "internal matter".<ref name="aung_san_suu_kyi_asks_2018_03_18_theguardian_com" />

ASEAN had a longstanding firm policy of "non-interference in the internal affairs of member nations," and was reluctant, as an organisation, to take sides in the conflict, or act materially.<ref name="under_microscope_2018_11_08_reuters_usnews_com" /><ref name="barely_a_peep_2017_12_17_forbes" /><ref name="se_asia_summit_draft_2017_11_12_reuters">[http://www.reuters.com/article/us-asean-summit-myanmar/southeast-asia-summit-draft-statement-skips-over-rohingya-crisis-idUSKBN1DD0CP?il=0 "Southeast Asia summit draft statement skips over Rohingya crisis,"] November 12, 2017, [[Reuters News Service]] (also at ''[[Bangkok Post]]'' [https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/asean/1359704/asean-summit-draft-statement-skips-over-rohingya-crisis]), retrieved November 6, 2021</ref><ref name="suu_kyi_benefits_2017_11_13_cbs">[https://www.cbsnews.com/news/asean-summit-aung-san-suu-kyi-rohingya-crisis-myanmar/ "Suu Kyi benefits from neighbors' silence on Rohingya,"] November 13, 2017, [[CBS News]], retrieved November 6, 2021</ref>

Internal<ref name="asean_mps_2018_09_08_unb_thedailystar_net">[https://www.thedailystar.net/rohingya-crisis/news/asean-mps-lawmakers-welcome-icc-jurisdiction-over-crimes-against-rohingya-myanmar-1630597 "Asean MPs welcome ICC jurisdiction over crimes against Rohingya,"]  September 8, 2018, [[United News of Bangladesh]] in ''[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)|The Daily Star]],'' retrieved November 6, 2021</ref> and international<ref name="under_microscope_2018_11_08_reuters_usnews_com" /><ref name="asean_prioritize_2019_06_19_dhaka_tribune">[https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/rohingya-crisis/2019/06/19/human-rights-organizations-call-on-asean-to-prioritize-rohingya-rights  "Asean: Prioritize Rohingya rights, safety; The organizations highlighted this as Southeast Asian leaders prepare to meet in Bangkok,"] June 19, 2019, ''[[Dhaka Tribune]],'' retrieved November 7, 2021</ref> pressure mounted for ASEAN to take a firmer stance on the Rohingya crisis, and by late 2018, the group's global credibility was threatened by its inaction.<ref name="under_microscope_2018_11_08_reuters_usnews_com" /><ref name="totally_shameful_2020_06_26_jakarta_post" /><ref name="asean_will_help_2018_09_30_straits_times">Ghosh, Nirmal: [https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/asean-will-help-but-myanmar-has-to-exercise-responsibility-on-rohingya-issue Singapore's Foreign Minister:  "Asean will help, but Myanmar has to exercise responsibility on Rohingya issue,"]  September 30, 2018, ''[[Straits Times]]'' (Singapore), retrieved October 2018</ref>

In response, ASEAN began to put pressure on Myanmar to be less hostile to the Rohingya, and to hold accountable those responsible for atrocities against them.<ref name="under_microscope_2018_11_08_reuters_usnews_com" /><ref name="asean_will_help_2018_09_30_straits_times" /><ref name="asean_must_pressure_2018_12_17_thestar_com_my" />

However ASEAN's positions on the issue largely divided on religious lines, with Muslim nations siding more with the Rohingya, while Buddhist nations initially sided more with Myanmar's government, threatening a [[sectarianism|sectarian]] division of ASEAN. [[authoritarianism|Authoritarian]] ASEAN nations, too (mostly Buddhist), were less enthusiastic than [[democracy|democratic]] ASEAN nations (mostly Muslim), about holding Myanmar officials accountable for crimes against their Rohingya minority.<ref name="under_microscope_2018_11_08_reuters_usnews_com" /><ref name="barely_a_peep_2017_12_17_forbes" /><ref name="bd_wants_safe_zone_2019 Jan 29_unb_com_bd" />

But, by late-2018, most ASEAN nations had begun to advocate for a more forceful ASEAN response to the Rohingya crisis, and a harder line against Myanmar—breaking with the group's traditional policy of "non-interference" in members' "internal affairs"—a break emphasizsed by the Rohingya crisis being formally placed on the December 2018 ASEAN summit agenda.<ref name="under_microscope_2018_11_08_reuters_usnews_com" /><ref name="asean_must_pressure_2018_12_17_thestar_com_my" /><ref name="on_the_rohingya_2018_12_27_aseannews_net">[http://www.aseannews.net/rohingya-asean-meeting-message/ "On the Rohingya, the ASEAN Meeting was the Message,"]  December 27, 2018, ''[[ASEAN News]]'' (also at ''[[Bangkok Post]]'' [http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/1169161/rohingya-plight-now-an-asean-issue]) retrieved November 6, 2021</ref>

In early 2019, Bangladesh suggested that Myanmar create a safe haven for the Rohingya within its borders, under ASEAN supervision<ref name="bd_wants_safe_zone_2019 Jan 29_unb_com_bd" /> (later expanding that idea to include India, China and Japan among the supervisors).<ref name="india_should_monitor_2019_02_10_the_hindu">[https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-should-monitor-safety-of-rohingya/article26231318.ece "'India should monitor safety of Rohingya':  Bangladesh,"]  February 10, 2019, ''[[The Hindu]]'' (India), retrieved February 2019</ref><ref name="myanmar_asean_team 2019_07_26_irrawaddy">[https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmar-asean-team-visit-rohingyas-camp.html "Myanmar, ASEAN Team to Visit Rohingyas Camp,"] July 26, 2019, ''[[The Irrawaddy]],'' retrieved November 6, 2021</ref>

In mid-2019, ASEAN was heavily criticised by human rights organisations for a report, which ASEAN commissioned, which turned out to praise Myanmar's work on Rohingya [[repatriation]], while glossing over atrocities and abuses against the Rohingya.<ref name="outcry_asean_report_2019_06_07_dhaka_tribune">[https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/rohingya-crisis/2019/06/08/outcry-as-asean-predicts-smooth-rohingya-return-to-myanmar "Outcry as ASEAN report predicts 'smooth' return of Rohingya to Myanmar,"] June 8, 2019, ''[[Dhaka Tribune]]'' (Bangladesh), retrieved June 2019 (same topic at ''[[Straits Times]]'' [https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/outcry-as-an-asean-report-predicts-smooth-return-of-rohingya-to-myanmar] and ''[[Jakarta Post]]'' [https://www.thejakartapost.com/seasia/2019/06/08/outcry-over-leaked-rohingya-report.html])</ref><ref name="asean_prioritize_2019_06_19_dhaka_tribune" /><ref name="aha_centre_defends_2019_06_10_channelnewsasia">[https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/aaha-centre-defends-leaked-report-on-rohingya-refugees-11613142 "AHA Centre defends leaked report on Rohingya refugees,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509110301/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/aaha-centre-defends-leaked-report-on-rohingya-refugees-11613142 |date=9 May 2021 }} June 10, 2019, ''[[Channel NewsAsia]]'' (Singapore), retrieved June 2019</ref><ref name="malaysia_rattles_2019_06_22_new_straits_times">[https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2019/06/498302/malaysia-rattles-asean-summit-demands-justice-rohingya "Malaysia rattles ASEAN summit, demands 'justice' for Rohingya,"] June 22, 2019, [[Agence France-Presse]] in ''[[New Straits Times]]'' (Singapore), (same article at ''[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)|Daily Star]]'' (Bangladesh) [https://www.thedailystar.net/rohingya-crisis/news/malaysia-calls-justice-and-citizenship-rohingya-muslims-1760779] ), retrieved June 2019</ref><ref name="asean_dont_whitewash_2019_06_19_hrw_org">[https://www.hrw.org/news/2019/06/19/asean-dont-whitewash-atrocities-against-rohingya "ASEAN: Don't Whitewash Atrocities Against Rohingya; Repatriation Report Ignores Dire Situation in Myanmar,"] June 26, 2020, [[Human Rights Watch]], retrieved November 7, 2021</ref>

The June 2019 ASEAN summit was shaken by the Malaysian foreign minister's declaration that persons responsible for the abuses of the Rohingya be prosecuted and punished—conduct unusually undiplomatic at ASEAN summits.<ref name="malaysia_rattles_2019_06_22_new_straits_times" />  ASEAN pressed Myanmar for a firm timeline for the repatriation of Rohingya refugees who fled Myanmar<ref name="seek_time_frame_2019_06_22_kyodo_news">[https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2019/06/cbf10cb092e6-update1-asean-foreign-ministers-seek-time-frame-for-return-of-rohingya.html "ASEAN foreign ministers seek time frame for return of Rohingya,"] June 22, 2019, ''[[Kyodo News]]'' (Japan), retrieved November 6, 2021</ref>—pressuring Myanmar to provide "safety and security for all communities in Rakhine State as effectively as possible and facilitate the voluntary return of displaced persons in a safe, secure and dignified manner."<ref name="asean_leaders_hold_off_2019_06_23_bloomberg">[https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-06-23/asean-leaders-hold-off-from-demanding-citizenship-for-rohingyas "ASEAN Leaders Hold Off From Demanding Citizenship for Rohingyas,"] June 23, 2019, ''[[Bloomberg News]]'' retrieved June 2019</ref>

In August 2019, the annual ASEAN Foreign Ministers' meeting concluded with a joint [[communique]] calling on Myanmar's government to guarantee the safety of all Rohingya—both in Myanmar and in exile—and pushed for more dialogue with the refugees about their repatriation to Myanmar. But later that month ASEAN's  Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) supported Myanmar's "efforts" on repatriation, with aid, restraining some members' desire for more intrusive proposals.<ref name="asean_meeting_2019_08_05_jakarta_post ">[https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2019/08/05/asean-calls-safety-rohingya.html "ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting: ASEAN calls for safety of Rohingya,"] August 5, 2019, ''[[Jakarta Post]]'' retrieved August 2019</ref><ref name="most_asean_members_2019_08_28_irrawaddy ">[https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/asean-members-back-myanmars-repatriation-aid-efforts-rakhine.html "Most ASEAN Members Back Myanmar's Repatriation, Aid Efforts in Rakhine,"] August 28, 2019, ''[[The Irrawaddy]]'' retrieved August 2018</ref>

By January 2020, ASEAN had made little progress to prepare safe conditions for the Rohingya's return to Myanmar.<ref name="indonesia_urges_2021_01_22_jakarta_post">[https://www.rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/safe-01212021153814.html "Indonesia Urges Myanmar to Create Safe Conditions for Rohingya Repatriation,"]  January 22, 2021, ''[[Jakarta Post]]'' retrieved November 6, 2021</ref><ref name="totally_shameful_2020_06_26_jakarta_post" />
-->

====2021 Myanmar coup====
[[File:ASEAN leaders facing Myanmar Junta leader.jpg|thumb|Special ASEAN summit on the 2021 Myanmar coup]]
On 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 [[2021 Myanmar coup d'état|coup d'etat]], declaring a national [[state of emergency]], imposing [[martial law]], arresting elected civilian leaders, violently clamping down on dissent, and replacing civilian government with the military's appointees. Widespread protests and resistance erupted, and elements of the civilian leadership formed an underground "[[National Unity Government of Myanmar|National Unity Government]]" (NUG). Global opposition to the coup emerged, and global pressure was brought on ASEAN to take action.<ref name="un_calls_for_reversal_2021_03_10_ap">[https://apnews.com/article/aung-san-suu-kyi-asia-pacific-myanmar-united-nations-4d0b4e78b8b740784c7ed5adb0aec3b4 "UN calls for reversal of Myanmar coup and condemns violence,"] 10 March 2021, [[Associated Press]], (same article at: [[U.S. News]] [https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2021-03-10/diplomats-un-to-condemn-violence-against-myanmar-protesters] and [[CTV News]] (Canada) [https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/article/un-calls-for-reversal-of-myanmar-coup-and-condemns-violence/]), retrieved March 2021</ref><ref name="un_calls_for_reversal_2021_07_29_ap_abc_news">[https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/us-urges-council-press-myanmar-return-democracy-79153798 "US urges UN Council to press Myanmar to return to democracy.,"] 29 July 2021, [[Associated Press]], retrieved July 2021</ref><ref name="aseans_snub_2021_10_20_channelnewsasia">[https://www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/asean-myanmar-protest-military-government-nug-sac-min-aung-hlaing-un-2254311 "Commentary: Is ASEAN's snub to Myanmar military the start of a new approach?"] 20 October 2021, [[Channel NewsAsia]], retrieved 9 November 2021</ref><ref name="asean_inflection_2021_08_airuniversity_af_edu">Durst, Charles ([[Eurasia Group]]): [https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/JIPA/Display/Article/2747515/the-myanmar-coup-as-an-asean-inflection-point/ "The Myanmar Coup as an ASEAN Inflection Point"] August 2021 (Special Issue), ''[[Journal of Indo-Pacific Affairs]],'' [[Air University (United States Air Force)|Air University]], (also print edition PDF at: [https://media.defense.gov/2021/Aug/26/2002840264/-1/-1/1/DUNST.PDF]), retrieved 9 November 2021</ref><!--
Initially, ASEAN remained detached from the controversy, though Muslim-dominated members (mostly democracies, already vocal against the Rohingya genocide) expressed strong objection to the coup, while the mostly-Buddhist authoritarian members of ASEAN remained quiet.<ref name="tradition_vs_credibility_2021_10_19_reuters" /><ref name="myanmar_crisis_2021_03_04_asia_times" /><ref name="myanmar_coup_asean_split_2021_03_29_dw_com" />

In April 2021, in the first-ever ASEAN summit called to deal primarily with a domestic crisis in a member state,<ref name="myanmar_coup_asean_split_2021_03_29_dw_com" /> ASEAN leaders met with Myanmar's coup leader, Senior General [[Min Aung Hlaing]], and agreed to a five-point consensus solution to the crisis in Myanmar:<ref name="asean_leaders_agree_2021_04_25_afp_bangkok_post" /><ref name="chairmans_statement_2021_04_24_asean">[https://asean.org/chairmans-statement-on-the-asean-leaders-meeting-24-april-2021-and-five-point-consensus-2/ "Chairman's Statement on the ASEAN Leaders' Meeting "] (and appendix: "Five-Point Consensus"), April 24, 2021, ASEAN Secretariat, Jakarta, Republic of Indonesia, retrieved November 6, 2021</ref>
*The immediate cessation of violence in Myanmar;
*Constructive dialogue among all parties concerned... to seek a peaceful solution in the interests of the people;
*Mediation facilitated by an envoy of ASEAN's Chair, with the assistance of ASEAN's Secretary-General;
*Humanitarian assistance provided by ASEAN through its AHA Centre; and
*A visit to Myanmar, by the special envoy and delegation, to meet with all parties concerned.

The ASEAN agreement with Myanmar drew strong criticism from over 150 human rights organisations for its lax approach,<ref name="statement_on_myanmar_2021_05_05_hrw_org">[https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/05/05/global-civil-society-statement-myanmar "Global Civil Society Statement on Myanmar; Call for Arms Embargo on Myanmar,"], May 5, 2021, [[Human Rights Watch]] and 150 other organisations, jointly, including: [[Amnesty International]], [[Fortify Rights]], [[ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights]], [[International Council of Jurists]], and the [[World Council of Churches]], retrieved November 6, 2021</ref><ref name="aseans_indecision_2021_06_15_amnesty_org" /> yet the Myanmar junta did not comply with any of the points of the plan.<ref name="aseans_indecision_2021_06_15_amnesty_org" /><ref name="us_urges_un_council_2021_07_29_ap_abc_news">[https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/us-urges-council-press-myanmar-return-democracy-79153798 "US urges UN Council to press Myanmar to return to democracy,"] July 29, 2021, [[Associated Press]] / [[ABC News]], retrieved July 2021</ref><ref name="hlaing_excluded_2021_10_16_bbc">[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-58938489 "Myanmar army general Min Aung Hlaing excluded from leaders' summit,"] October 16, 2021, [[BBC News]], retrieved November 6, 2021</ref><ref name="tradition_vs_credibility_2021_10_19_reuters" />

On 18 June 2021, the [[United Nations General Assembly]] (UNGA)—in a rare move, with a nearly unanimous resolution—condemned Myanmar's coup, and called for an [[arms embargo]] against the country. The UNGA consulted with ASEAN and integrated most of ASEAN's 5-point consensus into the resolution (adding demands that the junta release all political prisoners). But, while Communist Vietnam voted "yes," along with the ASEAN democracies (Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines), most authoritarian ASEAN states (Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Brunei) abstained.<ref name="un_assembly_condemns_2021_06_18_apnews">[https://apnews.com/article/united-nations-general-assembly-united-nations-myanmar-business-global-trade-72dbb95927b735de2b83dc1a85abdd72 "UN assembly condemns Myanmar coup, calls for arms embargo,"] June 18, 2021, [[Associated Press]] retrieved June 2021</ref><ref name="resolution_75_287_unga_2021_06_18_undocs_org">[https://undocs.org/en/A/RES/75/287 "Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 18 June 2021: 75/287. The situation in Myanmar"],  June 18, 2021,  ''[[United Nations General Assembly]]'' retrieved June 2021</ref>

In October 2021, despite its consensus agreement with ASEAN, Myanmar's junta refused to allow ASEAN representatives to speak with Myanmar's deposed and imprisoned civilian leader [[Aung San Suu Kyi]].<ref name="hlaing_excluded_2021_10_16_bbc" /><ref name="junta_rebuffs_2021_10_04_irrawaddy">[https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmar-junta-rebuffs-asean-request-to-meet-suu-kyi.html "Myanmar Junta Rebuffs ASEAN Request to Meet Suu Kyi,"], October 4, 2021, ''[[The Irrawaddy]]'' retrieved November 6, 2021</ref><ref name="tradition_vs_credibility_2021_10_19_reuters" />

Following lobbying by the [[United Nations]], [[United States of America|United States]], [[European Union]], [[United Kingdom]], and other nations, ASEAN declined to invite Myanmar's Gen. Hlaing to represent Myanmar at ASEAN's October 2021 summit—the first time in ASEAN's history that it did not invite a political leader from a member nation to one of its summits. Nor did ASEAN invite a representative of Myanmar's underground National Unity Government, saying it would consider inviting a non-political representative of the country, instead, (though none was actually invited).<ref name="us_urges_un_council_2021_07_29_ap_abc_news" /><ref name="asean_to_exclude_2021_10_15_apnews">[https://apnews.com/article/business-asia-myanmar-global-trade-southeast-asia-020da6ef264d3a95c1cbffaa020cda59 "ASEAN to exclude Myanmar's leader from summit in key rebuke,"], October 15, 2021, ''[[Associated Press]]'' (same article at ''[[Globe and Mail]]'' (Canada) [https://apnews.com/article/business-asia-myanmar-global-trade-southeast-asia-020da6ef264d3a95c1cbffaa020cda59]), retrieved October 2021</ref><ref name="hlaing_excluded_2021_10_16_bbc" /><ref name="tradition_vs_credibility_2021_10_19_reuters" /><ref name="can_asean_overcome_2021_11_01_nikkei_asia">Robinson, Gwen: [https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Comment/Can-ASEAN-overcome-the-Myanmar-curse "Can ASEAN overcome the 'Myanmar curse'?:  Regional grouping struggles with changing dynamics due to 'pariah' member,"] November 1, 2021, ''[[Nikkei Asia]],'' retrieved November 7, 2021</ref><ref name="aseans_snub_2021_10_20_channelnewsasia" />

The unusual ASEAN action was widely seen as a major setback for the Myanmar junta's attempt to achieve global recognition as the legitimate government of Myanmar,<ref name="why_aseans_rebuke_2021_10_21_iiss_org" /><ref name="asean_to_exclude_2021_10_15_apnews" /><ref name="hlaing_excluded_2021_10_16_bbc" /><ref name="tradition_vs_credibility_2021_10_19_reuters" /> and a sign of broader change in the behavior and role of ASEAN.<ref name="asean_pushes_boundaries_2021_04_26_reuters" /><ref name="why_aseans_rebuke_2021_10_21_iiss_org" /><ref name="sign_of_change_2021_10_20_asialink" /><ref name="tradition_vs_credibility_2021_10_19_reuters" />
-->

==Member states==
{{main|Member states of ASEAN}}

[[File:Map of ASEAN member states.svg|550px|thumb|Map showing the member states of ASEAN]]
{{Supranational Asian Bodies|align=right|size=380px}}

===List of member states{{Anchor|Details of member states}}===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" ; "white-space: nowrap;"
! scope="col" | [[Member states of ASEAN|State]]
! scope="col" | Accession<ref>{{Cite web |title=ASEAN Member States|url=https://asean.org/member-states/ |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=asean.org}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | {{flagicon|BRN}} [[Brunei Darussalam]]
| align="right" | {{Date table sorting|1984-01-07}}
|-
! scope="row" | {{flagicon|KHM}} [[Cambodia]]
| align="right" | {{Date table sorting|1999-04-30}}
|-
! scope="row" | {{flagicon|IDN}} [[Indonesia]]
| align="right" | {{Date table sorting|1967-08-08}}
|-
! scope="row" | {{flagicon|LAO}} [[Laos]]
| align="right" | {{Date table sorting|1997-07-23}}
|-
! scope="row" | {{flagicon|MAS}} [[Malaysia]]
| align="right" | {{Date table sorting|1967-08-08}}
|-
! scope="row" | {{flagicon|MMR}} [[Myanmar]]
| align="right" | {{Date table sorting|1997-07-23}}
|-
! scope="row" | {{flagicon|PHL}} [[Philippines]]
| align="right" | {{Date table sorting|1967-08-08}}
|-
! scope="row" | {{flagicon|SGP}} [[Singapore]]
| align="right" | {{Date table sorting|1967-08-08}}
|-
! scope="row" | {{flagicon|THA}} [[Thailand]]
| align="right" | {{Date table sorting|1967-08-08}}
|-
! scope="row" | {{flagicon|TLS}} [[Timor-Leste]]
| align="right" | {{Date table sorting|2025-10-26}}
|-
! scope="row" | {{flagicon|VNM}} [[Vietnam]]
| align="right" | {{Date table sorting|1995-07-28}}
|}

=== Observer states ===
{{Main|Enlargement of ASEAN}}

There is currently one state seeking accession to ASEAN: [[Papua New Guinea]].<ref name="PNGPHIL">{{cite web|url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/154860/news/nation/papua-new-guinea-asks-rp-support-for-asean-membership-bid|title=Papua New Guinea asks RP support for Asean membership bid|date=30 March 2009|access-date=26 January 2013|publisher=[[GMA News and Public Affairs]]}}</ref><ref>[http://www.op.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=22879&Itemid=2 Somare seeks PGMA's support for PNG's ASEAN membership bid] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100306192700/http://www.op.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=22879&Itemid=2 |date=6 March 2010 }} Retrieved 8 July 2009</ref>

* [[Accession of Papua New Guinea to ASEAN]] (observer status since 1976)
There are two states seeking solely for observer status in ASEAN; [[Fiji]] and [[Bangladesh]].<ref name="ultimate">{{Cite web |date=2025-04-05 |title=Ultimate goal is to join ASEAN as a full member |url=https://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/trade-market/ultimate-goal-is-to-join-asean-as-a-full-member-1743783067 |access-date=2025-07-12 |website=The Financial Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-09-05 |title=Will Bangladesh join Asean? Maritime arbitration wins favour Dhaka |url=https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3277348/will-bangladesh-join-asean-maritime-arbitration-wins-and-cultural-links-favour-dhaka |access-date=2025-07-17 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Enlargement of ASEAN#Fiji|Accession of Fiji to ASEAN]].<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Fiji's Foreign Policy White Paper |url=https://www.foreignaffairs.gov.fj/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/FFPWP.pdf |journal=Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Fiji}}</ref>
* [[Accession of Bangladesh to ASEAN]] (attempting to gain observer status, with the goal towards full membership.)<ref name="ultimate" />
There was also one state that had formally pursued accession to ASEAN but later stopped, which was [[Sri Lanka]].
* [[Accession of Sri Lanka to ASEAN]] (invited as one of the founders of ASEAN;<ref>{{Cite web |last=Suryanarayan |first=V. |date=2022-10-18 |title=The myth and reality of ASEAN unity |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/opinions/2022/Oct/17/the-myth-and-reality-of-asean-unity-2509184.html |access-date=2024-05-13 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> 1981 accession attempt; both rejected by [[Singapore]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=De Silva |first=Mervyn |date=1981 |title=Sri Lanka: ASEAN Operation |url=http://www.srilankaguardian.org/2020/10/sri-lanka-asean-operation.html |access-date=2024-05-13 |website=[[India Today]] |via=Sri Lanka Guardian}}</ref>)

=== Dialogue partners ===
* [[Australia]], [[Canada]], [[China]], [[European Union]], [[India]], [[Japan]], [[New Zealand]], [[Russia]], [[South Korea]], [[United Kingdom]] and [[United States]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://asean.org/our-communities/asean-political-security-community/outward-looking-community/external-relations/|title=ASEAN External relations}}</ref>

=== Sectoral Dialogue partners ===
* [[Brazil]], [[Morocco]], [[Norway]], [[Pakistan]], [[South Africa]], [[Switzerland]], [[Turkey]] and [[United Arab Emirates]].

=== Development partners ===
* [[Chile]], [[France]], [[Germany]], [[Italy]], [[Netherlands]] and [[Peru]].

==Demographics==
In July 2019, the population of the ASEAN was about 655 million people (8.5% of the world population).<ref name="population">{{cite web|url=https://www.aseanstats.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/ASYB_2020.pdf|title=ASEAN Statistical Yearbook 2020|access-date=20 January 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aseanstats.org/publication/asyb_2020/|title=ASEAN Statistical Yearbook 2020|date=30 December 2020|access-date=20 January 2021}}</ref>{{update inline|date=September 2024}} In ASEAN in 2019, 55.2 million people were children age 0–4 and 46.3 million people were older than 65. This corresponds to 8.4% and 7.1% of the total ASEAN population. The region's population growth is 1.1% per year. [[Thailand]] is the lowest at 0.2% per year, and [[Cambodia]] is the highest at 1.9% per year. ASEAN's sex ratio is 99.4 males per 100 females, as of 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017 |title=ASEAN: KEY SOCIO-ECONOMIC INDICATORS |url=https://www.aseanstats.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/ASEAN-Statistical-Leaflet-2017_Final.pdf |website=ASEAN Stats}}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable ([[WP:NOTRS]]).|date=October 2025}}

===Urban areas===
{{see also|List of cities in ASEAN by population}}

The 20 largest metropolitan areas within ASEAN are as follows.
{| class="sortable wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
!Metropolitan area
![[Core city]]
! Population
!Area<br />(km<sup>2</sup>)
! Country
!Census year
|-
! scope="row" | [[Jakarta metropolitan area|Greater Jakarta]]
![[Jakarta]]
| align="right" | 31,673,824
|align="right" |7,076.3
| align="left" | {{flag|Indonesia}}
|[[2020 Indonesian census|2020]]<ref name="Badan Pusat Statistik 2021">Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2021.</ref><ref name="Hasil Sensus Penduduk 2020">{{cite web |date=21 January 2021 |title=Hasil Sensus Penduduk 2020 |url=https://www.bps.go.id/website/materi_ind/materiBrsInd-20210121151046.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122154418/https://www.bps.go.id/website/materi_ind/materiBrsInd-20210121151046.pdf |archive-date=22 January 2021 |access-date=21 January 2021 |publisher=[[Statistics Indonesia]] |page=9 |language=id}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | [[Greater Manila Area]]
![[Metro Manila|Manila]]
| align="right" | 28,250,517
|align="right" |7,967.98
| align="left" | {{flag|Philippines}}
|[[2020 Philippine census|2020]]{{PH census|2015|NCR}}
|-
! scope="row" | [[Ho Chi Minh City metropolitan area]]
![[Ho Chi Minh City|Ho Chi Minh]]
| align="right" | 21,281,639
|align="right" |30,595.0
| align="left" | {{flag|Vietnam}}
|[[2019 Vietnamese census|2019]]<ref name="VIET NAM POPULATION">{{Cite journal |date=2020 |title=COMPLETED RESULTS OF THE 2019 VIET NAM POPULATION AND HOUSING CENSUS |url=https://www.gso.gov.vn/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Ket-qua-toan-bo-Tong-dieu-tra-dan-so-va-nha-o-2019.pdf |journal=[[General Statistics Office of Vietnam]]}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | [[Hanoi Capital Region]]
![[Hanoi]]
| align="right" | 19,980,000
|align="right" |24,314.7
| align="left" | {{flag|Vietnam}}
|[[2019 Vietnamese census|2019]]<ref name="VIET NAM POPULATION" />
|-
! scope="row" | [[Bangkok Metropolitan Region]]
![[Bangkok]]
| align="right" | 10,696,258
|align="right" |7,700.0
| align="left" | {{flag|Thailand}}
|2020<ref name="TDD20">{{cite web |date=31 December 2020 |title=รายงานสถิติจำนวนประชากรและบ้านประจำปี พ.ศ.2563 |trans-title=Statistics, population and house statistics for the year 2020 |url=https://stat.bora.dopa.go.th/new_stat/file/63/stat_a63.txt |access-date=27 May 2021 |language=th |department=Registration Office Department of the Interior, Ministry of the Interior}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | [[Surabaya metropolitan area|Greater Surabaya]]
![[Surabaya]]
| align="right" | 9,924,509
|align="right" |6,310.0
| align="left" | {{flag|Indonesia}}
|[[2020 Indonesian census|2020]]<ref name="Badan Pusat Statistik 2021" /><ref name="Hasil Sensus Penduduk 2020" />
|-
! scope="row" | [[Bandung metropolitan area|Greater Bandung]]
![[Bandung]]
| align="right" | 8,790,308
|align="right" |3,500.3
| align="left" | {{flag|Indonesia}}
|[[2020 Indonesian census|2020]]<ref name="Badan Pusat Statistik 2021" /><ref name="Hasil Sensus Penduduk 2020" />
|-
! scope="row" | [[Klang Valley]]
![[Kuala Lumpur]]
| align="right" | 8,455,029
|align="right" |8,347.0
| align="left" | {{flag|Malaysia}}
|2020<ref name="MyCenDash">{{cite web |title=Workbook: MyCenDash(English) |url=https://tableau.dosm.gov.my/t/BPPD-BahagianperangkaanpendudukdanDemografi/views/MyCenDashEnglish/LOCALAUTORITY?:display_count=n&:embed=y&:isGuestRedirectFromVizportal=y&:origin=viz_share_link&:showAppBanner=false&:showVizHome=n |access-date=2023-10-19 |website=tableau.dosm.gov.my}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | [[Yangon Region|Rangoon Region]]
![[Rangoon]]
| align="right" | 7,360,703
|align="right" |10,276.7
| align="left" | {{flag|Myanmar}} (Burma)
|2014<ref name="census-2014">{{cite book |url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B067GBtstE5TeUlIVjRjSjVzWlk/view |title=Census Report |date=May 2015 |publisher=Ministry of Immigration and Population |series=The 2014 Myanmar Population and Housing Census |volume=2 |location=Naypyitaw |pages=17}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | [[Semarang metropolitan area|Greater Semarang]]
![[Semarang]]
| align="right" | 6,009,982
|align="right" |4,795.9
| align="left" | {{flag|Indonesia}}
|[[2020 Indonesian census|2020]]<ref name="Badan Pusat Statistik 2021" /><ref name="Hasil Sensus Penduduk 2020" />
|-
! scope="row" | [[Singapore]]
![[Singapore]]
| align="right" | 5,685,807
|align="right" |734.3
| align="left" | {{flag|Singapore}}
|2020<ref>{{Cite web |title=Population |url=https://www.singstat.gov.sg/publications/reference/ebook/population/population |website=Department of Statistics Singapore}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | Da Nang Metropolitan Area
![[Da Nang]]
| align="right" | 5,622,814
|align="right" |26,640.3
| align="left" | {{flag|Vietnam}}
|[[2019 Vietnamese census|2019]]<ref name="VIET NAM POPULATION" />
|-
! scope="row" | [[Medan metropolitan area|Greater Medan]]
![[Medan]]
| align="right" | 4,756,863
|align="right" |3,189.2
| align="left" | {{flag|Indonesia}}
|[[2020 Indonesian census|2020]]<ref name="Badan Pusat Statistik 2021" /><ref name="Hasil Sensus Penduduk 2020" />
|-
! scope="row" | [[Metro Davao]]
![[Davao City|Davao]]
| align="right" | 3,339,284
|align="right" |6,492.8
| align="left" | {{flag|Philippines}}
|[[2020 Philippine census|2020]]{{PH census|2015|NCR}}
|-
! scope="row" | [[Metro Cebu]]
![[Cebu City|Cebu]]
| align="right" | 3,165,799
|align="right" |1,062.8
| align="left" | {{flag|Philippines}}
|[[2020 Philippine census|2020]]{{PH census|2015|NCR}}
|-
! scope="row" | [[George Town Conurbation]]
![[George Town, Penang|George Town]]
| align="right" | 2,843,344
|align="right" |3,764.3
| align="left" | {{flag|Malaysia}}
|2020<ref name="MyCenDash" />
|-
! scope="row" | [[Makassar metropolitan area|Greater Makassar]]
![[Makassar]]
| align="right" | 2,725,951
|align="right" |2,666.6
| align="left" | {{flag|Indonesia}}
|[[2020 Indonesian census|2020]]<ref name="Badan Pusat Statistik 2021" /><ref name="Hasil Sensus Penduduk 2020" />
|-
! scope="row" | [[Palembang metropolitan area|Greater Palembang]]
![[Palembang]]
| align="right" | 2,634,501
|align="right" |9,886.6
| align="left" | {{flag|Indonesia}}
|[[2020 Indonesian census|2020]]<ref name="Badan Pusat Statistik 2021" /><ref name="Hasil Sensus Penduduk 2020" />
|-
! scope="row" | Phnom Penh Metro Area
![[Phnom Penh]]
| align="right" | 2,506,123
|align="right" |679.0
| align="left" | {{flag|Cambodia}}
|2019<ref name="census2019">{{Cite web |date=26 January 2021 |title=General Population Census of the Kingdom of Cambodia 2019 – Final Results |url=http://nis.gov.kh/nis/Census2019/Final%20General%20Population%20Census%202019-English.pdf |access-date=26 January 2021 |work=National Institute of Statistics |publisher=[[Ministry of Planning (Cambodia)|Ministry of Planning]]}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | [[Greater Yogyakarta]]
![[Yogyakarta]]
| align="right" | 2,485,163
|align="right" |1,118.2
| align="left" | {{flag|Indonesia}}
|[[2020 Indonesian census|2020]]<ref name="Badan Pusat Statistik 2021" /><ref name="Hasil Sensus Penduduk 2020" />
|}

==The ASEAN Way==
The ''ASEAN Way'' refers to a methodology or approach to solving issues that respect Southeast Asia's cultural norms. Masilamani and Peterson summarise it as:<ref name="Masilamani">{{cite journal|last1=Masilamani|first1=Logan|last2=Peterson|first2=Jimmy|title=The "ASEAN Way": The Structural Underpinnings of Constructive Engagement|journal=Foreign Policy Journal|date=15 October 2014|url=http://www.foreignpolicyjournal.com/2014/10/15/the-asean-way-the-structural-underpinnings-of-constructive-engagement/|access-date=12 May 2015|archive-date=13 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150513043858/http://www.foreignpolicyjournal.com/2014/10/15/the-asean-way-the-structural-underpinnings-of-constructive-engagement/|url-status=live}}</ref><blockquote>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. </blockquote>It has been said that the merits of the ASEAN Way might "be usefully applied to global conflict management". However, 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.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Goh|first1=Gillian|url=http://www.stanford.edu/group/sjeaa/journal3/geasia1.pdf|title=The 'ASEAN Way'; Non-Intervention and ASEAN's Role in Conflict Management|journal=Stanford Journal of East Asian Affairs|pages=113–18|volume=3|issue=1|date=Spring 2003|access-date=2 March 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130626113326/http://www.stanford.edu/group/sjeaa/journal3/geasia1.pdf|archive-date=26 June 2013}}</ref>{{RP|pp113-118}} Critics object, claiming that the ASEAN Way's emphasis on consultation, consensus, and non-interference forces the organisation to adopt only those policies which satisfy the lowest common denominator. Decision-making by consensus requires members to see eye-to-eye before ASEAN can move forward on an issue. Members may not have a common conception of the meaning of the ASEAN Way. Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos emphasise non-interference while older member countries focus on co-operation and co-ordination. These 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.<ref name="Leviter">{{cite journal|last1=Leviter|first1=Lee|title=The ASEAN Charter: ASEAN Failure or Member Failure?|journal=New York University Journal of International Law and Politics|date=2010|volume=43|pages=159–210}}</ref>{{RP|161–163}}

==Structure==
[[File:ASEAN_HQ_1.jpg|thumb|ASEAN Secretariat in [[South Jakarta]], Indonesia]]
Beginning in 1997, heads of each member state adopted the ASEAN Vision 2020 during the group's 30th anniversary meeting held in [[Kuala Lumpur]]. As a means for the realisation 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. The vision also aimed to "see an outward-looking ASEAN playing a pivotal role in the international fora, and advancing ASEAN's common interests".<ref>[http://www.asean.org/news/item/asean-vision-2020 "ASEAN Vision 2020"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150429050655/http://www.asean.org/news/item/asean-vision-2020 |date=29 April 2015}} 15 December 1997. Retrieved 10 December 2014.</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=A united region: The ASEAN Community 2015|url=http://www.rappler.com/world/specials/southeast-asia/asean-journey/47239-asean-community-2015-overview|author1=Julio Amador|author2=Joycee A. Teodoro|work=Rappler|date=2 May 2014|access-date=17 June 2015|archive-date=10 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150510023020/http://www.rappler.com/world/specials/southeast-asia/asean-journey/47239-asean-community-2015-overview|url-status=live}}</ref>

ASEAN Vision 2020 was formalised and made comprehensive through the Bali Concord II in 2003.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asean.org/news/item/declaration-of-asean-concord-ii-bali-concord-ii|title=Declaration of ASEAN Concord II (Bali Concord II)|publisher=ASEAN|access-date=17 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702050633/http://www.asean.org/news/item/declaration-of-asean-concord-ii-bali-concord-ii|archive-date=2 July 2015}}</ref>

Three major pillars of a single ASEAN community were established:<ref name="Overview">{{cite web|title=About ASEAN|url=https://asean.org/about-asean|work=ASEAN|access-date=26 October 2025|archive-date=16 May 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250516114344/https://asean.org/web/20250516114344/https://asean.org/about-asean|url-status=live}}</ref>

* Political-Security Community (APSC)<ref name="APSC-FS">{{cite book|title=Fact Sheet ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC)|date=Jun 2013|publisher=ASEAN Secretariat|location=Jakarta|isbn=978-602-7643-49-9|url=http://www.asean.org/images/2013/factsheet/2013%20(6.%20Jun)%20-%20APSC.pdf|access-date=15 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904103519/http://www.asean.org/images/2013/factsheet/2013%20(6.%20Jun)%20-%20APSC.pdf|archive-date=4 September 2015}}</ref>
* Economic Community (AEC)<ref name="AEC-FS">{{cite book|title=Fact Sheet ASEAN Economic Community (AEC)|date=Jun 2013|publisher=ASEAN Secretariat|location=Jakarta|isbn=978-602-7643-50-5|url=http://www.asean.org/images/2013/factsheet/2013%20(6.%20Jun)%20-%20AEC.pdf|access-date=15 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904103519/http://www.asean.org/images/2013/factsheet/2013%20(6.%20Jun)%20-%20AEC.pdf|archive-date=4 September 2015}}</ref>
* Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC)<ref name="ASCC-FS">{{cite book|title=Fact Sheet of ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC)|date=Jun 2013|publisher=ASEAN Secretariat|location=Jakarta|isbn=978-602-7643-51-2|url=http://www.asean.org/images/2013/factsheet/2013%20(6.%20Jun)%20-%20ASCC.pdf|access-date=15 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904103519/http://www.asean.org/images/2013/factsheet/2013%20(6.%20Jun)%20-%20ASCC.pdf|archive-date=4 September 2015}}</ref>

To fully embody the three pillars as part of the 2015 integration, blueprints for APSC and ASCC were subsequently adopted in 2009 in [[Cha-am]], Thailand.<ref>{{cite book|title=Towards A Sustainable Asia: Environment and Climate Change|author=The Association of Academies of Sciences in Asia|date=2011|location=Beijing|publisher=Science Press}}</ref> The ASEAN Community, initially planned to commence by 2020, was accelerated to begin by 31 December 2015.<ref>{{cite web|title=TODAY Online – Countries must work together to deal with shared problems: PM Lee|url=http://www.gov.sg/news/content/today-online-countries-must-work-together-to-deal-with-shared-problems-pm-lee|website=Government of Singapore|access-date=25 November 2015|archive-date=26 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151126041217/http://www.gov.sg/news/content/today-online-countries-must-work-together-to-deal-with-shared-problems-pm-lee|url-status=live}}</ref> It was decided during the 12th ASEAN Summit in [[Cebu]] in 2007.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cebu declaration on the acceleration of the establishment of an ASEAN Community by 2015|url=http://www.asean.org/component/zoo/item/about-asean-overview-cebu-declaration-on-the-acceleration-of-the-establishment-of-an-asean-community-by-2015?Itemid=185|access-date=17 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150617102112/http://www.asean.org/component/zoo/item/about-asean-overview-cebu-declaration-on-the-acceleration-of-the-establishment-of-an-asean-community-by-2015?Itemid=185|archive-date=17 June 2015}}</ref>
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At the 23rd ASEAN Summit in November 2013, leaders decided to develop a post-2015 Vision and created the High-Level Task Force (HLTF) that consists of ten high-level representatives from all member states. The Vision was adopted at the 27th Summit in November 2015 in Kuala Lumpur. The ASEAN community would revise and renew its vision every ten years to provide a framework for continuous development and further integration.

The terms in the post-2015 Vision are divided into four subcategories, namely APSC, AEC, ASCC, and Moving Forward. APSC issues are covered under articles 7 and 8. The former generally states the community's overall aspiration to aim for a united, inclusive and resilient community. It also puts human and environmental security as crucial points. Deepening engagement with both internal and external parties are also stressed to contribute to international peace, security and stability.<ref>{{cite web|title=ASEAN COMMUNITY VISION 2025|url=http://www.asean.org/storage/images/2015/November/aec-page/ASEAN-Community-Vision-2025.pdf|access-date=24 September 2016|archive-date=10 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161010184551/http://www.asean.org/storage/images/2015/November/aec-page/ASEAN-Community-Vision-2025.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The "Moving Forward" subcategory implies the acknowledgement of weaknesses of the institution's capacity to process and coordinate ASEAN work. Strengthening ASEAN Secretariat and other ASEAN organs and bodies is therefore desired. There is also a call for a higher level of ASEAN institutional presence at the national, regional and international levels.{{citation needed|date=May 2020}}

Additionally, ASEAN institutional weakness has been further amplified by the ineffectiveness of its initiatives in fighting against COVID-19. ASEAN has been making painstaking efforts to combat the pandemic by establishing both intra and extra-regional ad hoc agencies such as theASEAN-China Ad-Hoc Health Ministers Joint Task Force, the Special ASEAN Summit on the COVID-19, COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund, and the Special ASEAN Plus Three Summit on COVID-19. These mechanisms aim to facilitate senior discussions among regional actors on how to contain the pandemic's spread and reduce its negative impacts. However, their practical implementations are still insignificant when the cooperation among member states is insubstantial, as illustrated by the polarisation of their COVID-19 policies and the high number of cases and deaths in the region.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Phuong|first=Pham|date=7 July 2020|title=COVID-19 has revealed ASEAN's institutional weaknesses|work=Global-is-asian|publisher=Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore|url=https://lkyspp.nus.edu.sg/gia/article/covid-19-has-revealed-asean-s-institutional-weaknesses|url-status=live|access-date=10 September 2020|archive-date=30 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930053214/https://lkyspp.nus.edu.sg/gia/article/covid-19-has-revealed-asean-s-institutional-weaknesses}}</ref>
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===APSC Blueprint===
During the 14th ASEAN Summit, the group adopted the APSC Blueprint.<ref>{{cite book|title=ASEAN Political-Security Community Blueprint|date=Jun 2009|publisher=Association of Southeast Asian Nations|location=Jakarta|isbn=978-602-8411-06-6|pages=20|url=http://www.asean.org/archive/5187-18.pdf|access-date=7 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150205203428/http://www.asean.org/archive/5187-18.pdf|archive-date=5 February 2015}}</ref> This document is aimed at creating a robust political-security environment within ASEAN, with programs and activities outlined to establish the APSC by 2016. It is based on the ASEAN Charter, the ASEAN Security Community Plan of Action, and the Vientiane Action Program. The APSC aims to create a sense of responsibility toward comprehensive security and a dynamic, outward-looking region in an increasingly integrated and interdependent world.

The ASEAN Defense Industry Collaboration (ADIC) was proposed at the 4th ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) on 11 May 2010 in [[Hanoi]].<ref name="ReferenceC">{{cite web|title=Annex 10: ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting: Concept Paper on Establishing ASEAN Defence Industry Collaboration|url=https://admm.asean.org/dmdocuments/12.%20ANNEX%2010-%20Concept%20Paper%20on%20Establishing%20ADIC.pdf|work=ADMM|publisher=ASEAN|date=19 May 2011|access-date=26 October 2025|archive-date=23 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423112629/https://admm.asean.org/dmdocuments/12.%20ANNEX%2010-%20Concept%20Paper%20on%20Establishing%20ADIC.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Its purpose, among others, is to reduce defence imports from non-ASEAN countries by half and to further develop the defense industry in the region.<ref name="csis-adic" /> It was formally adopted on the next ADMM on 19 May 2011, in Jakarta, Indonesia.<ref>{{cite web|title=2011 JOINT DECLARATION OF THE ASEAN DEFENCE MINISTERS ON STRENGTHENING DEFENCE COOPERATION OF ASEAN IN THE GLOBAL COMMUNITY TO FACE NEW CHALLENGES|url=http://www.asean.org/news/item/joint-declaration-of-the-asean-defence-ministers-on-strengthening-defence-cooperation-of-asean-in-the-global-community-to-face-new-challenges-jakarta-19-may-2011|website=asean.org|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150109042135/http://www.asean.org/news/item/joint-declaration-of-the-asean-defence-ministers-on-strengthening-defence-cooperation-of-asean-in-the-global-community-to-face-new-challenges-jakarta-19-may-2011|archive-date=9 January 2015}}</ref> The main focus is to industrially and technologically boost the security capability of ASEAN,<ref name="csis-adic">{{cite web |last1=Ben-Ari |first1=Guy |last2=Raghavan |first2=Sneha |title=DIIG Current Issues No. 25: ASEAN Defence Industry Collaboration |url=https://csis-website-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/legacy_files/files/publication/110907_DIIG_Current_Issues_25_ASEAN.pdf |work=[[Center for Strategic and International Studies|CSIS]] |date=7 September 2011 |access-date=26 October 2025 |archive-date=14 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240714004941/https://csis-website-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/legacy_files/files/publication/110907_DIIG_Current_Issues_25_ASEAN.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref> consistent with the principles of flexibility and non-binding and voluntary participation among the member states.<ref>{{cite web|title=3rd ASEAN Defence Industry Collaboration Workshop|url=http://www2.mindef.gov.bn|access-date=30 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140625035140/http://mindef.gov.bn/|archive-date=25 June 2014}}</ref><ref name="ReferenceC" /> The concept revolves around education and capability-building programs to develop the skills and capabilities of the workforce, production of capital for defence products, and the provision of numerous services to address the security needs of each member state. It also aims to develop an intra-ASEAN defence trade.<ref name="ReferenceC" /> ADIC aims to establish a strong defence industry relying on the local capabilities of each member state and limit annual procurement from external original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).<ref name="ReferenceC" /> Countries like the US, Germany, Russia, France, Italy, UK, China, South Korea, Israel, and the Netherlands are among the major suppliers to ASEAN.<ref name="csis-adic" /> ASEAN defence budget rose by 147% from 2004 to 2013 and is expected to rise further in the future.<ref>{{cite web |last=Abuza |first=Zachary |title=Fear Us: Military Expenditures in Southeast Asia |url=http://www.indopacificreview.com/military-expenditures-southeast-asia/ |work=Indo-Pacific Review |date=11 September 2014 |access-date=21 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150109042246/http://www.indopacificreview.com/military-expenditures-southeast-asia |archive-date=9 January 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Factors affecting the increase include economic growth, ageing equipment, and the plan to strengthen the establishment of the defence industry.<ref>{{cite news|author1=J. Dowdy |author2=D. Chinn |author3=M. Mancini |author4=J. Ng |date=February 2014|title=Southeast Asia: The next growth opportunity in defence McKinsey – Innovation Campus Aerospace and Defence Practice}}</ref> ASEANAPOL is also established to enhance cooperation on law enforcement and crime control among police forces of member states.<ref>{{cite web |title=ASEANAPOL, The Urgency to Keep The Region Safe – ICOAS |url=https://icoas.ppispanyol.org/2017/12/31/aseanapol-the-urgency-to-keep-the-region-safe/ |website=icoas.ppispanyol.org |access-date=8 September 2018 |archive-date=30 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930053224/https://ups-error.com/ |url-status=usurped }}</ref>

===AEC Blueprint===
[[File:KL Declaration Signing 11.22.15.jpg|thumb|ASEAN leaders sign the declaration of the ASEAN Economic Community during the 27th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, 2015.]]

The AEC aims to "implement economic integration initiatives" to create a single market for member states.<ref name="Primer">{{cite book |url=http://www.dfa.gov.ph/images/PDF/AEC%20Primer_Ebook2.pdf |title=Understanding the ASEAN Economic Community; A Primer |date=28 February 2014 |publisher=Department of Trade and Industry (Philippines) |edition=1st |access-date=10 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930053213/https://www.dfa.gov.ph/images/PDF/AEC%20Primer_Ebook2.pdf |archive-date=30 September 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=ASEAN Economic Community – ASEAN – ONE VISION ONE IDENTITY ONE COMMUNITY |url=http://www.asean.org/communities/asean-economic-community |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903023000/http://www.asean.org/communities/asean-economic-community |archive-date=3 September 2014 |access-date=6 September 2014}}</ref> The 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.<ref name="Primer" /><ref name="Blueprint">{{cite book |url=http://www.asean.org/archive/5187-10.pdf |title=ASEAN Economic Community Blueprint |date=Jan 2008 |publisher=Association of Southeast Asian Nations |isbn=978-979-3496-77-1 |location=Jakarta |pages=56 |access-date=7 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150205203402/http://www.asean.org/archive/5187-10.pdf |archive-date=5 February 2015}}</ref> Its 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. The 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. Through the free movement of skilled labour, goods, services and investment, ASEAN would rise globally as one market, thus increasing its competitiveness and opportunities for development.<ref>{{cite book |url=http://www.lga.gov.ph/sites/default/files/knowledgeProducts-pdf/Rising%20As%20One%20The%20ASEAN%20Economic%20Integration.pdf |title=Rising as One: The Filipino Nation Towards the ASEAN Economic Integration |date=2013 |publisher=Local Government Academy of the Philippines |isbn=978-971-0576-41-8 |pages=23 |access-date=11 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140731172032/http://www.lga.gov.ph/sites/default/files/knowledgeProducts-pdf/Rising%20As%20One%20The%20ASEAN%20Economic%20Integration.pdf |archive-date=31 July 2014}}</ref>

To track the progress of the AEC, a compliance tool called the AEC Scorecard was developed based on the EU Internal Market Scorecard.<ref name="Xianbai" /> It is the only one in effect<ref name="aseanec.blogspot.com">{{cite web|url=http://aseanec.blogspot.com/2012/05/grading-asean-economic-community.html|title=AEC Blog: Grading the ASEAN Economic Community Scorecard|author=Edmund Sim|date=25 May 2012|access-date=14 June 2015|archive-date=15 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150815124400/http://aseanec.blogspot.com/2012/05/grading-asean-economic-community.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and is expected to serve as an unbiased assessment tool to measure the extent of integration and the economic health of the region. It is expected to provide relevant information about regional priorities, and thus foster productive, inclusive, and sustainable growth.<ref name="eastasiaforum.org">{{cite journal|url=http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2012/06/01/a-critical-look-at-the-asean-economic-community-scorecard/|title=A critical look at the ASEAN Economic Community Scorecard|journal=East Asia Forum|date=June 2012 |access-date=14 June 2015|archive-date=30 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930053233/https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2012/06/01/a-critical-look-at-the-asean-economic-community-scorecard/|url-status=live |last1=Das |first1=Sanchita Basu }}</ref> It makes it possible to monitor the implementation of ASEAN agreements, and the achievement of milestones indicated in the AEC Strategic Schedule. The scorecard outlines specific actions that must be undertaken collectively and individually to establish AEC by 2015.<ref name="eastasiaforum.org" /> To date, two official scorecards have been published, one in 2010,<ref>{{cite book|title=ASEAN Economic Community Scorecard: Charting Progress Towards Regional Economic Integration|date=Mar 2010|publisher=ASEAN Secretariat|location=Jakarta|isbn=978-602-8411-35-6|url=http://www.asean.org/images/2012/publications/AEC%20Scorecard.pdf|access-date=10 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150205203548/http://www.asean.org/images/2012/publications/AEC%20Scorecard.pdf|archive-date=5 February 2015}}</ref> and the other in 2012.<ref name="Scorecard-2012">{{cite book|title=ASEAN Economic Community Scorecard|date=Mar 2012|publisher=ASEAN Secretariat|location=Jakarka|isbn=978-602-8411-96-7|url=http://www.asean.org/images/2012/publications/scorecard_final.pdf|access-date=10 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150205203612/http://www.asean.org/images/2012/publications/scorecard_final.pdf|archive-date=5 February 2015}}</ref><ref name="Xianbai" /> However, the scorecard is purely quantitative, as it only examines whether a member state has performed the AEC task or not. The more "yes" answers, the higher the score.<ref name="aseanec.blogspot.com" />
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While Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand have eliminated 99.65% of their tariff lines, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam have decreased tariffs on 98.86% of their lines to the 0-5% tariff range in 2010, and are projected to eliminate tariffs on these goods by 2015, with the ability to do so for a few import duty lines until 2018.<ref name="tax-news.com">{{cite news|last1=Swire|first1=Mary|title=Singapore Plugs ASEAN Trade Integration|url=http://www.tax-news.com/news/Singapore_Plugs_ASEAN_Trade_Integration____65778.html#sthash.zPWaW4hW.dpuf|access-date=12 May 2015|work=Tax-News|date=10 September 2014|archive-date=30 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930053235/https://www.tax-news.com/news/Singapore_Plugs_ASEAN_Trade_Integration____65778.html#sthash.zPWaW4hW.dpuf|url-status=usurped}}</ref> A recent study by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited has projected that five of the top fifteen manufacturing locations in the world will be in ASEAN by 2018. Furthermore, by 2050, ASEAN is expected to be the fourth-largest economy in the world (after the European Union, the US, and China).<ref name="tax-news.com" />

The AEC envisions the free flow of overseas labour. However, receiving countries may require would-be workers to take licensing examinations in those countries regardless of whether or not the worker has a professional license from their home country.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sbr.com.sg/economy/commentary/what-aec-2015-means-singaporean-businesses|title=What the AEC 2015 means for Singaporean businesses|work=Singapore Business Review|date=27 June 2014|access-date=14 June 2015|archive-date=25 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150425024551/http://sbr.com.sg/economy/commentary/what-aec-2015-means-singaporean-businesses|url-status=live}}</ref> Singapore is a major destination for skilled migrants from other ASEAN countries, mostly from Malaysia and the Philippines. Total employment there doubled between 1992 and 2008 from 1.5 million to three million, and the number of foreign workers almost tripled, from fewer than 400,000 to nearly 1.1 million. High-skilled foreign talents (customer service, nursing, engineering, IT) earn at least several thousand US dollars a month and with a credential (usually a college degree) receive employment passes.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Southeast Asia: ASEAN 2015|journal=Migration News|date=Oct 2013|volume=20|issue=4|url=https://migration.ucdavis.edu/mn/more.php?id=3868_0_3_0|access-date=12 February 2015|archive-date=30 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930053232/https://migration.ucdavis.edu/mn/more.php?id=3868_0_3_0|url-status=live}}</ref> In recent years, Singapore has been slowly cutting down the number of foreign workers to challenge companies to upgrade their hiring criteria and offer more jobs to local residents.

Narrowing the Development Gap (NDG) is the framework for addressing disparities among, and within, member states where pockets of underdevelopment exist. Under NDG, ASEAN has continued to coordinate closely with other sub-regional cooperation frameworks (e.g., [[BIMP-EAGA]], IMT-GT, GMS, Mekong programs), viewing them as "equal partners in the development of regional production and distribution networks" in the AEC, and as a platform to "mainstream social development issues in developing and implementing projects" in the context of the ASCC.<ref name="asean.org">{{cite web|url=http://www.asean.org/communities/asean-economic-community/category/overview-ndg-iai-iai-work-plan-iai-task-force-idcf|title=Overview|access-date=14 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630140736/http://www.asean.org/communities/asean-economic-community/category/overview-ndg-iai-iai-work-plan-iai-task-force-idcf|archive-date=30 June 2015}}</ref>

The six-year Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Work Plans have been developed to assist Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, as well as other sub-regions to ensure quick growth. The First IAI Work Plan was implemented from 2002 to 2008. The second plan (2009–2015) supports the goals of the ASEAN Community and is composed of 182 prescribed actions, which include studies, training programs, and policy implementation support, conducted through projects supported by older ASEAN member states, and ASEAN's Dialogue partners and external parties. The IAI Work Plan is patterned after and supports the key program areas in the three ASEAN Community Blueprints: ASPC, AEC, and ASCC. The IAI Task Force, composed of representatives of the Committee of Permanent Representatives and its working group from all member states, is in charge of providing general advice and policy guidelines and directions in the design and implementation of the plan. All member states are represented in the IAI Task Force, chaired by representatives of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam. The ASEAN Secretariat, in particular through the IAI and NDG Division, supports the implementation and management of the IAI Work Plan and coordinates activities related to sub-regional frameworks. The division works closely with the Dialogue Partners, and international agencies, to develop strategies and programs to assist in promoting and implementing IAI and NDG activities in ASEAN.<ref name="asean.org" />

ASEAN's planned integration has challenged its citizens to embrace a regional identity. It delivers a challenge to construct dynamic institutions and foster sufficient amount of social capital. The underlying assumption is that the creation of a regional identity is of special interest to ASEAN and the intent of the 2020 Vision policy document was to reassert the belief in a regional framework designed as an action plan related to human development and civic empowerment. Accordingly, these assumptions will be the basis for recommendations and strategies in developing a participatory regional identity.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Jones|first1=Michael E.|title=Forging an ASEAN Identity: The Challenge to Construct a Shared Destiny|journal=Contemporary Southeast Asia|date=2004|volume=26|issue=1|pages=140–154|url=https://www.academia.edu/981239|access-date=12 February 2015|doi=10.1355/cs26-1g|s2cid=154782260 |archive-date=30 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930053237/https://www.academia.edu/981239/Forging_an_ASEAN_Identity_The_Challenge_to_Construct_a_Shared_Destiny|url-status=live}}</ref>
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====APAEC blueprint====
Part of the work towards the ASEAN Economic Community is the integration of the energy systems of the ASEAN member states. The blueprint for this integration is provided by the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC).<ref name="Overland 100019">{{Cite journal|last1=Overland|first1=Indra|last2=Sagbakken|first2=Haakon Fossum|last3=Chan|first3=Hoy-Yen|last4=Merdekawati|first4=Monika|last5=Suryadi|first5=Beni|last6=Utama|first6=Nuki Agya|last7=Vakulchuk|first7=Roman|date=December 2021|title=The ASEAN climate and energy paradox|journal=Energy and Climate Change|volume=2|article-number=100019|doi=10.1016/j.egycc.2020.100019 |issn=2666-2787 |hdl=11250/2734506|hdl-access=free}}</ref> APAEC is managed by the ASEAN Center for Energy.

====2020 ASEAN Banking Integration Framework====
As trade is liberalised with the integration in 2015, the need arises for ASEAN banking institutions to accommodate and expand their services to an intra-ASEAN market. Experts, however, have already forecast a shaky economic transition, especially for smaller players in the banking and financial services industry. Two separate reports by [[Standard & Poor's]] (S&P) outline the challenges that ASEAN financial institutions face as they prepare for the 2020 banking integration.{{efn|name=fn1|''ASEAN Financial Integration: The Long Road to Bank Consolidation'' and ''The Philippines' Banking System: The Good, the Bad and the Ambivalent''.}} The 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.<ref name="mb.com.ph">{{cite web|url=http://www.mb.com.ph/sp-cites-moves-by-philippine-banks/|title=S&P cites moves by Philippine banks|author=Manila Bulletin|website=[[Manila Bulletin]] |access-date=14 June 2015|archive-date=14 November 2014|archive-url=https://archive.today/20141114060935/http://www.mb.com.ph/sp-cites-moves-by-philippine-banks/|url-status=live}}</ref> As 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. In 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".<ref name="mb.com.ph" />

====Financial integration roadmap====
The roadmap for financial integration is the latest regional initiative that aims to strengthen local self-help and support mechanisms. The roadmap's implementation would contribute to the realisation of the AEC. Adoption of a common currency, when conditions are ripe, could be the final stage of the AEC. The roadmap identifies approaches and milestones in capital market development, capital account and financial services liberalisation, and ASEAN currency cooperation. Capital market development entails promoting institutional capacity as well as the facilitation of greater cross-border collaboration, linkages, and harmonisation between capital markets. Orderly capital account liberalisation would be promoted with adequate safeguards against volatility and systemic risks. To expedite the process of financial services liberalisation, ASEAN has agreed on a positive list modality and adopted milestones to facilitate negotiations. Currency 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.<ref name="ReferenceB" />
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In regards to a common currency, ASEAN leaders agreed in November 1999 to create the establishment of currency swaps and repurchase agreements as a credit line against future financial shocks. In May 2000, ASEAN finance ministers agreed to plan for closer cooperation through the [[Chiang Mai Initiative]] (CMI).<ref>Financial Integration and Common Currency Area in ASEAN</ref> The CMI has two components, an expanded ASEAN Swap Arrangement (ASA), and a network of bilateral swap arrangements among the ASEAN Plus Three. The ASA preceded the [[1997 Asian financial crisis]] and was originally established by the monetary authorities of the five founding member states to help meet temporary liquidity problems. The ASA now includes all ten member states with an expanded facility of US$1 billion. In recognition of the economic interdependence of [[East Asia]], which has combined foreign exchange reserves amounting to about US$1 trillion, a network of bilateral swap arrangements and repurchase agreements among the [[#ASEAN Plus Three|ASEAN Plus Three]] has been agreed upon. The supplementary facility aims to provide temporary financing for member states with balance-of-payments difficulties. In 2009, 16 bilateral swap arrangements (BSAs) were concluded with a combined amount of about US$35.5 billion.<ref name="ReferenceA">Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralzation</ref> The CMI was signed on 9 December 2009 and took effect on 20 March 2014 while the amended version, the multilateralization of CMI (CMIM), was on 17 July 2014. The CMIM is a multilateral currency swap arrangement governed by a single contractual agreement. In addition, an independent regional surveillance unit called the [[ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic and Research Office]] (AMRO) was established to monitor and analyze economies and to support the CMIM decision-making process.<ref name="ReferenceA" /> The amendments would allow access for the auction of a crisis prevention facility. These amendments are expected to fortify CMIM as the region's financial safety net in the event of any potential or actual liquidity difficulty.<ref>The Amended Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralization (CMIM) Comes into Effect Today, 17 July 2014 Media Releases</ref>

During peacetime, the AMRO would conduct annual consultations with individual member economies and prepare quarterly-consolidated reports on the macroeconomic assessment of the ASEAN+3 region and individual member countries. In a time of crisis, the AMRO would prepare recommendations on any swap request based on macroeconomic analysis of a member state and monitor the use and impact of funds once an application is approved. AMRO was officially incorporated as a company limited by guarantee in Singapore on 20 April 2011. Governance of AMRO is being exercised by the executive committee (EC) and its operational direction by the Advisory Panel (AP). AMRO is currently headed by Dr Yoichi Nemoto of Japan, who is serving his second two-year term until 26 May 2016.<ref name="ReferenceA" /><ref name="ReferenceB" />
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====Food security====
Member states recognise the importance of strengthening [[food security]] to maintain stability and prosperity in the region.<ref>{{cite web|title=Food Security |url=https://www.who.int/trade/glossary/story028/en/ |website=World Health Organisation |access-date=10 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150917112705/http://www.who.int/trade/glossary/story028/en/ |archive-date=17 September 2015 }}</ref> As ASEAN moves towards AEC and beyond, food security would be an integral part of the community-building agenda.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Desker|first1=Barry|last2=Caballero-Anthony|first2=Mely|last3=Teng|first3=Paul|title=Thought/Issues Paper on ASEAN Food Security: Towards a more Comprehensive Framework|date=Oct 2013|publisher=Nanyang Technological University|location=Singapore|url=http://www.eria.org/ERIA-DP-2013-20.pdf|access-date=10 February 2015|archive-date=30 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930053232/https://www.eria.org/ERIA-DP-2013-20.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Strengthened food security is even more relevant in light of potentially severe risks from climate change with agriculture and fisheries being the most affected industries.<ref>Overland, Indra et al. (2017) ''[https://www.researchgate.net/publication/320622312 Impact of Climate Change on ASEAN International Affairs: Risk and Opportunity Multiplier]'', {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728061128/https://www.researchgate.net/publication/320622312_Impact_of_Climate_Change_on_ASEAN_International_Affairs_Risk_and_Opportunity_Multiplier |date=28 July 2020 }}, Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI) and Myanmar Institute of International and Strategic Studies (MISIS).</ref>

Part of the aim of ASEAN integration is to achieve food security collectively via [[trade]] in rice and maize. [[Trade facilitation]] measures and the harmonisation/equivalency of food regulation and control standards would reduce the cost of trade in food products. While specialisation 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.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Bello|first1=Amelia L.|title=Ensuring Food Security—A Case for ASEAN Integration|journal=Asian Journal of Agriculture and Development|volume=2|issue=1,2|url=http://searca.org/ajad/index.php/previous-issues/13-view-article?aid=28|access-date=12 February 2015|issn=1656-4383|archive-date=30 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930053236/https://ajad.searca.org/index.php/previous-issues/13-view-article?aid=28|url-status=live}}</ref> The 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. By building an environment that reduces barriers to trade, ASEAN trade would increase, thereby decreasing the risk of food price crisis.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asean.org/news/asean-secretariat-news/item/strengthening-food-security-for-asean-citizens-asean-us-cooperation-on-food-security-initiative-market-project-reduces-market-volatility-through-increased-regional-trade|title=Strengthening Food Security for ASEAN Citizens: ASEAN – U.S. Cooperation on Food Security initiative "MARKET" Project Reduces Market Volatility through Increased Regional Trade|access-date=14 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150429043831/http://www.asean.org/news/asean-secretariat-news/item/strengthening-food-security-for-asean-citizens-asean-us-cooperation-on-food-security-initiative-market-project-reduces-market-volatility-through-increased-regional-trade|archive-date=29 April 2015}}</ref>

===ASCC Blueprint===
The ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) was also adopted during the 14th ASEAN Summit.<ref>{{cite book |url=http://www.asean.org/archive/5187-19.pdf |title=ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Blueprint |date=Jun 2009 |publisher=Association of Southeast Asian Nations |isbn=978-602-8411-07-3 |location=Jakarta |pages=32 |access-date=7 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150205203437/http://www.asean.org/archive/5187-19.pdf |archive-date=5 February 2015}}</ref> It 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". 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.

==Economy==
{{See also|List of ASEAN countries by GDP|List of ASEAN country subdivisions by GDP}}

{{Static row numbers}}<!-- Read [[Talk:List_of_countries_by_GDP_(nominal)/Archive_8#Remove_European_union_please]] before removing -->

{{sticky header}}{{table alignment}}
{| class="wikitable sortable sticky-header-multi static-row-numbers" style="text-align:right;"
|+GDP statistics by country, in 2025
! rowspan="2"| Country<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imf.org/external/datamapper/NGDP_RPCH@WEO/OEMDC/ADVEC/WEOWORLD |date=11 January 2025 |title=Real GDP growth |access-date=19 January 2025}}</ref>
! rowspan=2 data-sort-type="number" | Population<br /><small>(millions)</small>
! colspan=2| GDP Nominal
! colspan=2| GDP (PPP)
|-
! data-sort-type="number" | <small>millions of<br />USD</small>
! data-sort-type="number" | per capita<br /><small>USD</small>
! data-sort-type="number" | <small>millions of<br />Int$</small>
! data-sort-type="number" | per capita<br /><small>Int$</small>
|-
| scope="row" style="text-align: left; font-weight: normal;" ! | {{flag|Indonesia}}
|| 279.965 || 1,430,000 ({{abbr|2025f|2025 forecast}})<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imf.org/external/datamapper/profile/IDN |title=datamapper/profile/IDN DataMapper: Indonesia |website=[[International Monetary Fund]] |date=11 January 2025 |access-date=11 January 2025}}</ref> || 5,030 || 5,010,000 || 17,610
|-
| scope="row" style="text-align: left; font-weight: normal;" ! | {{flag|Singapore}}
|| 5.938 || 564,770 ({{abbr|2025f|2025 forecast}})<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imf.org/external/datamapper/profile/SGP |title=datamapper/profile/SGP DataMapper: Singapore |website=[[International Monetary Fund]] |date=11 January 2025 |access-date=11 January 2025}}</ref> || 92,930 || 952,640 || 156,760
|-
| scope="row" style="text-align: left; font-weight: normal;" ! | {{flag|Thailand}}
|| 65.975 || 546,220 ({{abbr|2025f|2025 forecast}})<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imf.org/external/datamapper/profile/THA |title=datamapper/profile/THA DataMapper: Thailand |website=[[International Monetary Fund]] |date=11 January 2025 |access-date=11 January 2025}}</ref> || 7,770 || 1,850,000 || 26,320
|-
| scope="1" style="text-align: left; font-weight: normal;" ! | {{flag|Philippines}}
|| 114.161 || 497,500 ({{abbr|2025f|2025 forecast}})<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imf.org/external/datamapper/profile/PHL |title=datamapper/profile/PHL DataMapper: Philippines |website=[[International Monetary Fund]] |date=11 January 2025 |access-date=11 January 2025}}</ref> ||4,350  || 1,480,000 || 12,920
|-
| scope="1" style="text-align: left; font-weight: normal;" ! | {{flag|Vietnam}}
|| 100.770 || 490,970 ({{abbr|2025f|2025 forecast}})<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imf.org/external/datamapper/profile/VNM |title=datamapper/profile/VNM DataMapper: Vietnam |website=[[International Monetary Fund]] |date=11 January 2025 |access-date=11 January 2025}}</ref> || 4,810 || 1,790,000 || 17,689
|-
| scope="row" style="text-align: left; font-weight: normal;" ! | {{flag|Malaysia}}
|| 33.460 || 444,980 ({{abbr|2025f|2025 forecast}})<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imf.org/external/datamapper/profile/MYS |title=datamapper/profile/MYS DataMapper: Malaysia |website=[[International Monetary Fund]] |date=11 January 2025 |access-date=11 January 2025}}</ref> || 13,140 || 1,470,000 || 43,470
|-
| scope="row" style="text-align: left; font-weight: normal;" ! | {{flag|Myanmar}}
|| 54.506 || 64,940 ({{abbr|2025f|2025 forecast}})<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imf.org/external/datamapper/profile/MMR |title=datamapper/profile/MMR DataMapper: Myanmar |website=[[International Monetary Fund]] |date=11 January 2025 |access-date=11 January 2025}}</ref> || 1,180 || 326,890 || 5,920 
|-
| scope="row" style="text-align: left; font-weight: normal;" ! | {{flag|Cambodia}}
|| 17.182 || 49,800 ({{abbr|2025f|2025 forecast}})<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imf.org/external/datamapper/profile/KHM |title=datamapper/profile/KHM DataMapper: Cambodia |website=[[International Monetary Fund]] |date=11 January 2025 |access-date=11 January 2025}}</ref> || 2,870 || 150,050 || 8,650
|-
| scope="row" style="text-align: left; font-weight: normal;" ! | {{flag|Laos}}
|| 7.686 || 16,320 ({{abbr|2025f|2025 forecast}})<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imf.org/external/datamapper/profile/LAO |title=datamapper/profile/LAO DataMapper: Lao P.D.R. |website=[[International Monetary Fund]] |date=11 January 2025 |access-date=11 January 2025}}</ref> || 2,100 || 78,850 || 10,120
|-
| scope="row" style="text-align: left; font-weight: normal;" ! | {{flag|Brunei}}
|| 0.442 || 16,010 ({{abbr|2025f|2025 forecast}})<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imf.org/external/datamapper/profile/BRN |title=datamapper/profile/BRN DataMapper: Brunei Darussalam |website=[[International Monetary Fund]] |date=11 January 2025 |access-date=11 January 2025}}</ref> || 34,970 || 43,830 || 95,760
|-
| scope="row" style="text-align: left; font-weight: normal;" ! | {{flag|Timor-Leste}}
|| 1.355 || 2,130 ({{abbr|2025f|2025 forecast}})<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imf.org/external/datamapper/profile/TLS |title=datamapper/profile/BRN DataMapper: Timor-Leste |website=[[International Monetary Fund]] |date=11 January 2025 |access-date=11 January 2025}}</ref> || 1,490 || 6,970 || 4,920
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: left; font-weight: normal;" ! | {{Flag|ASEAN}}
! 684.376 !! 4,076,690 !! 5,957 !! 13,152,260 !! 19,218
|}

[[File:ASEAN Nations Flags in Jakarta 3.jpg|thumb|upright=1.35|The flags of the ASEAN member states in [[Jakarta]], Indonesia]]

The group sought economic integration by creating the AEC by the end of 2015 that established a [[single market]].<ref name="asil1">{{Cite web|url=http://www.asil.org/aseanevent/Sim_Intro_to_ASEAN.pdf|title=Trade & Customs Singapore : Introduction to ASEAN Economic Community|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120218183029/http://www.asil.org/aseanevent/Sim_Intro_to_ASEAN.pdf |access-date=28 July 2022|archive-date=18 February 2012 }}</ref> The average economic growth of member states from 1989 to 2009 was between 3.8% and 7%. This was greater than the average growth of APEC, which was 2.8%.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/05/11/asean-economies-past-and-future.html |title=ASEAN economies past and future |work=The Jakarta Post |date=29 July 2011 |access-date=8 August 2011 |archive-date=12 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110512043847/http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/05/11/asean-economies-past-and-future.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA), established on 28 January 1992,<ref name="AFTA" /> includes a Common Effective Preferential Tariff (CEPT) to promote the free flow of goods between member states.<ref name="asil1" /> ASEAN had only six members when it was signed. The 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asean.org/12021.htm |title=Overview |publisher=ASEAN |access-date=21 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081022142043/http://www.asean.org/12021.htm |archive-date=22 October 2008 }}</ref> The 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. Since 2007, ASEAN countries have gradually lowered their import duties to member states, with a target of zero import duties by 2016.<ref>{{cite web|title=ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) |url=http://www.miti.gov.my/cms/content.jsp?id=com.tms.cms.article.Article_b5e22087-c0a81573-aba0aba0-ab12873b |website=Ministry of International Trade and Industry (Malaysia) |access-date=12 February 2015 |date=24 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140820145429/http://www.miti.gov.my/cms/content.jsp?id=com.tms.cms.article.Article_b5e22087-c0a81573-aba0aba0-ab12873b |archive-date=20 August 2014 }}</ref>

ASEAN 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).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.unido.org/fileadmin/user_media_upgrade/Resources/Publications/UCO_Viet_Nam_Study_FINAL.pdf|title=Economic Zones in the ASEAN|access-date=20 November 2016|archive-date=30 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930053234/https://www.unido.org/sites/default/files/2015-08/UCO_Viet_Nam_Study_FINAL_0.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2018, eight of the ASEAN members are among the world's outperforming economies, with positive long-term prospect for the region.<ref>{{cite news |title=ASEAN countries among world's outperforming emerging economies: Report |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/asean-countries-among-world-s-outperforming-emerging-economies-10718216 |work=Channel NewsAsia |access-date=17 September 2018 |archive-date=17 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917181637/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/asean-countries-among-world-s-outperforming-emerging-economies-10718216 |url-status=live }}</ref> ASEAN's Secretariat projects that the regional body will grow to become the world's fourth largest economy by 2030.<ref name="E&E-20191120">{{cite news |last1=Gronewold |first1=Nathanial |title=Booming Southeast Asia's dirty secret: Coal |url=https://www.eenews.net/stories/1061593609 |access-date=22 November 2019 |work=E&E News |via=Climatewire |date=20 November 2019 |archive-date=30 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930053238/https://www.eenews.net/stories/1061593609 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The ASEAN Centre for Energy publishes the ASEAN Energy Outlook every five years, analysing and promoting the integration of national energy systems across the region. The sixth edition was published in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-19|title=The 6th ASEAN Energy Outlook|url=https://aseanenergy.org/the-6th-asean-energy-outlook/|access-date=2021-02-20|website=ASEAN Centre for Energy}}</ref>

===Internal market===
ASEAN planned to establish a single market based upon the [[Four Freedoms (European Union)|four freedoms]] by the end of 2015, with the goal of ensuring free flow of goods, services, skilled labour, and capital. The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) was formed in 2015,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://asean.org/asean-economic-community/|title=Legal Instruments|website=asean.org}}</ref> but the group deferred about 20% of the harmonisation provisions needed to create a [[common market]] and set a new deadline of 2025.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.asiapathways-adbi.org/2017/07/will-2025-be-the-final-deadline-for-the-asean-economic-community/|title=Will 2025 be the final deadline for the ASEAN Economic Community?|first=Jayant|last=Menon|date=14 July 2017}}</ref>

Until 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/77403/asean-feared-to-become-multinational-companies-market-only|work=Anatara News|title=ASEAN feared to become multinational companies market only|date=10 November 2011|access-date=10 November 2011|archive-date=12 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112112614/http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/77403/asean-feared-to-become-multinational-companies-market-only|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2009, realised [[foreign direct investment]] (FDI) was US$37.9 billion and increased two-fold in 2010 to US$75.8 billion. 22% of FDI came from the [[European Union]], followed by ASEAN countries (16%), and by Japan and the United States.

The ASEAN Framework Agreement on Trade in Services (AFAS) was adopted at the ASEAN Summit in Bangkok in December 1995.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asean.org/6628.htm |title=ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services (1995) |publisher=ASEAN |access-date=21 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091226223120/http://www.asean.org/6628.htm |archive-date=26 December 2009 }}</ref> Under 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. ASEAN has concluded seven packages of commitments under AFAS.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asean.org/6626.htm |title=Overview |publisher=ASEAN |access-date=21 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110206130652/http://www.asean.org/6626.htm |archive-date=6 February 2011 }}</ref>

Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) have been agreed upon by ASEAN for eight professions: physicians, dentists, nurses, architects, engineers, accountants, surveyors, and tourism professionals. Individuals in these professions will be free to work in any ASEAN states effective 31 December 2015.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Buranasomphop|first1=Duangkamol|title=Asean 2015: Free movement of labour|url=http://en.aectourismthai.com/content1/1411|access-date=11 May 2015|publisher=AEC Tourism Thailand|date=14 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518070624/http://en.aectourismthai.com/content1/1411|archive-date=18 May 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Concern over free flow of labour after AEC starts|url=http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Concern-over-free-flow-of-labour-after-AEC-starts-30238365.html|access-date=11 May 2015|work=The Nation|date=13 July 2014|archive-date=18 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518102622/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Concern-over-free-flow-of-labour-after-AEC-starts-30238365.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Why the AEC in 2015 Will Lead to Few Changes in Thailand |url=http://www.norcham.com/news/why-the-aec-in-2015-will-lead-to-few-changes-in-thailand |website=Thai-Norwegian Chamber of Commerce |access-date=12 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518093814/http://www.norcham.com/news/why-the-aec-in-2015-will-lead-to-few-changes-in-thailand |archive-date=18 May 2015 }}</ref>

In addition, six member states ([[Malaysia]], [[Vietnam]] (2 exchanges), [[Indonesia]], [[Philippines]], [[Thailand]], and [[Singapore]]) have collaborated on integrating their stock exchanges, which includes 70% of its transaction values with the goal to compete with international exchanges.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://investasi.kontan.co.id/news/indonesia-belum-akan-masuk-asean-linkage |title=Indonesia belum akan masuk Asean Linkage |author=Anna Suci Perwitasari |date=13 June 2012 |access-date=17 January 2014 |archive-date=10 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141210101112/http://investasi.kontan.co.id/news/indonesia-belum-akan-masuk-asean-linkage |url-status=live }}</ref>

Single market will also include the [[ASEAN Single Aviation Market]] (ASEAN-SAM), the region's aviation policy geared towards the development of a [[Open skies|unified and single aviation market]] in [[Southeast Asia]]. It was proposed by the ASEAN Air Transport Working Group, supported by the ASEAN Senior Transport Officials Meeting, and endorsed by the ASEAN Transport Ministers.<ref name="ASEAN SAM">{{cite web|url=http://www.asian-aerocad.com/news/news.php?newsid=23 |title=Asean Single Aviation Market |access-date=26 September 2008 |work=Straits Times |location=Singapore |date=2 February 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081209063906/http://www.asian-aerocad.com/news/news.php?newsid=23 |archive-date=9 December 2008 }}</ref> It 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.<ref name="ASEAN SAM" /><ref name="LHL on SAM">{{cite news |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-11/01/content_6990497.htm |title=Singaporean PM urges ASEAN to liberalise aviation |access-date=26 September 2008 |work=chinaview.cn |publisher=Xinhua News Agency |date=1 November 2007 |archive-date=11 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211012727/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-11/01/content_6990497.htm }}</ref> Since 1 December 2008, restrictions on the third and fourth [[freedoms of the air]] between capital cities of member states for air passenger services have been removed,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_282410.html | title=Tiger offers 50,000 free seats |access-date=26 September 2008 |last=Kaur |first= Karamjit |work=Straits Times |location=Singapore |date=25 September 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080927183958/http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_282410.html| archive-date= 27 September 2008 | url-status=live}}</ref> while from 1 January 2009, full liberalisation of air freight services in the region took effect.<ref name="ASEAN SAM" /><ref name="LHL on SAM" /> On 1 January 2011, full liberalisation on fifth freedom traffic rights between all capital cities took effect.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.centreforaviation.com/aviation/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5015 |title=Three-quarters of a million more seats and counting- KL-Singapore benefits from liberalisation |access-date=26 September 2008 |publisher=Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation |date=28 September 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060405030709/http://content.nejm.org/icons/home/cme_button.gif |archive-date=5 April 2006 }}</ref> This policy supersedes existing unilateral, bilateral, and multilateral air services agreements among member states which are inconsistent with its provisions.

===Monetary union===
The concept of an [[Asian Currency Unit]] (ACU) started in the middle of the 1990s, prior to the [[1997 Asian financial crisis]].<ref name="Baby Steps to a Common Currency">Baby Steps to a Common Currency</ref> It is a proposed basket of Asian currencies, similar to the European Currency Unit, which was the precursor of the [[Euro]]. The [[Asian Development Bank]] is responsible for exploring the feasibility and construction of the basket.<ref name="Baby Steps to a Common Currency" /><ref>Asian Currency Unit</ref> Since the ACU is being considered as a precursor to a common currency, it points to a dynamic economic outlook of the region.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Mundell |first=Robert |date=2003-02-01 |title=Prospects for an Asian currency area |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1049007802002361 |journal=Journal of Asian Economics |volume=14 |issue=1 |pages=1–10 |doi=10.1016/S1049-0078(02)00236-1 |issn=1049-0078}}</ref><ref>Prospects for a Single Asian Currency</ref> The overall goal of a common currency is to contribute to the financial stability of a regional economy, including price stability. It means lower cost of cross-border business through the elimination of currency risk. Greater flows of intra-trade would put pressure on prices, resulting in cheaper goods and services. Individuals 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.

However, there are conditions for a common currency: the intensity of intra-regional trade and the convergence of [[macroeconomics|macroeconomic]] conditions. Substantial 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. Member states currently trade more with other countries (80%) than among themselves (20%). Therefore, their economies are more concerned about currency stability against major international currencies, like the US dollar. On macroeconomic conditions, member states have different levels of economic development, capacity, and priorities that translate into different levels of interest and readiness. Monetary integration, however, implies less control over national monetary and fiscal policy to stimulate the economy. Therefore, greater convergence in macroeconomic conditions is being enacted to improve conditions and confidence in a common currency.<ref name="ReferenceB">Towards ASEAN Financial Integration</ref> Other 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.<ref>Cost and Benefits for A Common Currency in ASEAN</ref>

===Free trade===
[[File:Map of countries with which ASEAN has free trade agreements.svg|thumb|310x310px|{{Legend|#fd1813ff|ASEAN}}{{Legend|#124295ff|Countries with which ASEAN has free trade agreements}}]]
In 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". This law would act as the framework for the [[ASEAN Free Trade Area]] (AFTA), which is an agreement by member states concerning local manufacturing in ASEAN. It was signed on 28 January 1992 in Singapore.<ref name="AFTA">{{cite web|url=http://www.asean.org/12375.htm|title=Agreement on the Common Effective Preferential Tariff Scheme for the ASEAN Free Trade Area, Singapore, 28 Jan 1992|publisher=Asean.org|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090414223453/http://www.asean.org/12375.htm|archive-date=14 April 2009|access-date=21 December 2008}}</ref>
[[File:Singapore Port viewed from The Pinnacle@Duxton 04.jpg|thumb|The [[Port of Singapore]] currently held as the [[List of busiest container ports|world's second-busiest port]]]]
Free trade initiatives in ASEAN are spearheaded by the implementation of the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) and the Agreement on Customs. These 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. They form a backbone for achieving targets of the AEC Blueprint and establishing the ASEAN Economic Community by the end of 2015.<ref name="InvestAsian">{{cite web|url=http://www.investasian.com/2015/01/15/asean-economic-communitys-progress/|title=The ASEAN Economic Community's Progress|work=InvestAsian|date=15 January 2015|access-date=14 June 2015|archive-date=30 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930053243/https://www.investasian.com/2015/01/15/aec-2015-problems/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 26 August 2007, ASEAN stated its aim of completing free trade agreements (FTA) with Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, New Zealand, and Taiwan by 2013, which is in line with the start of the ASEAN Economic Community by 2015.<ref>{{cite news|title=ASEAN to complete free trade agreements by 2013 |url=https://www.forbes.com/feeds/afx/2007/08/26/afx4054320.html |work=Forbes |date=26 August 2007 |access-date=27 August 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081012121738/http://www.forbes.com/feeds/afx/2007/08/26/afx4054320.html |archive-date=12 October 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Christine |last=Ong |title=ASEAN confident of concluding FTAs with partners by 2013 |url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/economicnews/view/296149/1/.html |publisher=Channel NewsAsia |date=27 August 2007 |access-date=27 August 2007 }}{{dead link|date=June 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In 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.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.asean.org/asean/asean-charter/ | title=ASEAN Charter | publisher=ASEAN | access-date=4 March 2016 | archive-date=30 September 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930053247/https://asean.org/asean/asean-charter/charter-of-the-association-of-southeast-asian-nations/ | url-status=live }}</ref> During the same year, the [[Cebu Declaration on East Asian Energy Security]] was signed by ASEAN and the other members of the [[East Asian Summit|EAS]] (Australia, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Taiwan), which pursues [[energy security]] by finding [[renewable|energy alternatives]] to [[fossil fuels]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/asia-paci/eas/energy0701.html | title=CEBU DECLARATION ON EAST ASIAN ENERGY SECURITY | publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan | access-date=4 March 2016 | archive-date=30 September 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930053238/https://www.mofa.go.jp/region/asia-paci/eas/energy0701.html | url-status=live }}</ref>

On 27 February 2009, an FTA with [[Australia]] and [[New Zealand]] was signed. It is believed that this FTA would boost combined GDP across the 12 countries by more than US$48&nbsp;billion over the period between 2000 and 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mfat.govt.nz/Trade-and-Economic-Relations/Trade-Agreements/Asean/index.php |title=ASEAN, Australia and New Zealand Free Trade Agreement – NZ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade |publisher=Mfat.govt.nz |access-date=21 May 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090415060123/http://www.mfat.govt.nz/Trade-and-Economic-Relations/Trade-Agreements/Asean/index.php |archive-date=15 April 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aul8rxM98Jg4 |title=Asean, Australia, New Zealand Sign Free-Trade Deal (Update1) |publisher=Bloomberg |date=27 February 2009 |access-date=21 May 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101202160359/http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aul8rxM98Jg4 |archive-date=2 December 2010 }}</ref> The agreement with Taiwan created the [[ASEAN–Taiwan Free Trade Area]] (ACFTA), which went into full effect on 1 January 2010. In addition, ASEAN was noted to be negotiating an FTA with the [[European Union]].<ref name="FTA">{{cite web |url=http://www.fta.gov.sg/sg_fta.asp |title=Welcome to Singapore FTA Network |publisher=Fta.gov.sg |access-date=21 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081209033340/http://www.fta.gov.sg/sg_fta.asp |archive-date=9 December 2008 }}</ref> Bilateral trade with India crossed the US$70 billion target in 2012 (target was to reach the level by 2015).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/650795/trade-value-asean-countries-with-india/|title=India – trade value with ASEAN countries 2016 {{!}} Statistic|website=Statista|access-date=2018-08-29|archive-date=30 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930053248/https://www.statista.com/statistics/650795/trade-value-asean-countries-with-india/|url-status=live}}</ref> Taiwan has also expressed interest in an agreement with ASEAN but needs to overcome diplomatic objections from China.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2008/10/12/2003425653 |title=Siew calls for pragmatic approach to ASEAN ties |work=The Taipei Times |date=12 October 2008 |location=Taiwan (ROC) |access-date=21 December 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081211235752/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2008/10/12/2003425653| archive-date= 11 December 2008 | url-status=live}}</ref>

ASEAN, together with its six major trading partners (Australia, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Taiwan), began the first round of negotiations on 26–28 February 2013, in Bali, Indonesia on the establishment of [[Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership|the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)]],<ref name="ref2013022305">{{Cite news| title = ASEAN+6 trade bloc in the making| publisher = Investvine.com| date = 23 February 2013| url = http://investvine.com/asean6-trade-bloc-in-the-making/| access-date = 24 February 2013| archive-date = 28 March 2013| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130328045835/http://investvine.com/asean6-trade-bloc-in-the-making| url-status = live}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mfat.govt.nz/Trade-and-Economic-Relations/2-Trade-Relationships-and-Agreements/RCEP/ |title=Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) |access-date=29 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141029151938/http://www.mfat.govt.nz/Trade-and-Economic-Relations/2-Trade-Relationships-and-Agreements/RCEP/ |archive-date=29 October 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fta.gov.sg/press_release%5CFACTSHEET%20ON%20RCEP_final.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130626012240/http://www.fta.gov.sg/press_release%5CFACTSHEET%20ON%20RCEP_final.pdf |archive-date=26 June 2013 |title=Factsheet on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) |access-date=29 October 2014 }}</ref><ref>Regional integration: the ASEAN vision in 2020 by Rosabel B. Guerrero; Director, Department of Economic Statistics, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Manila, Philippines.</ref>

In 2019, [[Reuters]] highlighted a mechanism used by traders to avoid the 70% tariff on [[ethanol]] imported into Taiwan 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trade-ethanol-insight/long-strange-trip-how-u-s-ethanol-reaches-china-tariff-free-idUSKCN1PW0BR|title=Long, strange trip: How U.S. ethanol reaches Taiwan tariff-free|work=reuters.com|first1=Chris|last1=Prentice|first2=A.|last2=Ananthalakshmi|date=7 February 2019|access-date=7 February 2019|archive-date=30 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930053244/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trade-ethanol-insight/long-strange-trip-how-u-s-ethanol-reaches-china-tariff-free-idUSKCN1PW0BR|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Electricity trade===
Cross-border electricity trade in ASEAN has been limited, despite efforts since 1997 to establish an [[ASEAN Power Grid]] and associated trade. Electricity trade accounts for only about 5% of the generation, whereas trades in coal and gas are 86% and 53% respectively.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Do |first1=Thang Nam |last2=Burke |first2=Paul J. |date=2022-05-09 |title=Is ASEAN ready to move to multilateral cross-border electricity trade? |journal=Asia Pacific Viewpoint |volume=64|pages=110–125 |doi=10.1111/apv.12343 |s2cid=248689540 |issn=1360-7456|doi-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Nian |first1=Victor |last2=Mignacca |first2=Benito |last3=Locatelli |first3=Giorgio |date=2022-08-15 |title=Policies toward net-zero: Benchmarking the economic competitiveness of nuclear against wind and solar energy |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306261922006328 |journal=Applied Energy|volume=320 |article-number=119275 |doi=10.1016/j.apenergy.2022.119275 |bibcode=2022ApEn..32019275N |s2cid=249223353 |issn=0306-2619|hdl=11311/1227558 |hdl-access=free }}</ref>

===Tourism===
{{See also|Visa policy of ASEAN members}}
With the institutionalisation of visa-free travel between ASEAN member states, intra-ASEAN travel has escalated. In 2010, 47% or 34 million out of 73 million tourists in ASEAN member-states were from other ASEAN countries.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Anjaiah|first1=Veeramalla|title=Perfect 10 Paradise: ASEAN tourist industry is booming with intra-ASEAN travelers|url=http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/09/27/perfect-10-paradise-asean-tourist-industry-booming-with-intra-asean-travelers.html|access-date=10 February 2015|work=The Jakarta Post|date=27 September 2011|archive-date=30 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930053245/https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/09/27/perfect-10-paradise-asean-tourist-industry-booming-with-intra-asean-travelers.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Cooperation in tourism was formalised in 1976, following the formation of the Sub-Committee on Tourism (SCOT) under the ASEAN Committee on Trade and Tourism. The 1st ASEAN Tourism Forum was held on 18–26 October 1981 in [[Kuala Lumpur]]. In 1986, ASEAN Promotional Chapters for Tourism (APCT) were established in Hong Kong, West Germany, the United Kingdom, Australia/New Zealand, Japan, and North America.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Thoeun|first1=In|title=Tourism Cooperation Towards AEC|url=http://www.moc.gov.kh/tradeswap/userfiles/file/uploadedfiles/Gallery/9.%20Tourism%20Cooperation%20Towards%20AEC9_16_2014_13_56_52.pdf|website=Kingdom of Cambodia, Ministry of Commerce|publisher=Workshop on ASEAN Economic Community Outreach|access-date=10 May 2015|archive-date=2 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141102083250/http://www.moc.gov.kh/tradeswap/userfiles/file/uploadedfiles/Gallery/9.%20Tourism%20Cooperation%20Towards%20AEC9_16_2014_13_56_52.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

Tourism has been one of the key growth sectors in ASEAN and has proven resilient amid global economic challenges. The 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. As of 2012, tourism was estimated to account for 4.6% of ASEAN GDP—10.9% when taking into account all indirect contributions. It directly employed 9.3 million people, or 3.2% of total employment, and indirectly supported some 25 million jobs.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tourism Statistics – ASEAN {{!}} ONE VISION ONE IDENTITY ONE COMMUNITY|url=http://asean.org/?static_post=tourism-statistics|website=ASEAN {{!}} ONE VISION ONE IDENTITY ONE COMMUNITY|access-date=23 November 2017|archive-date=30 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930053249/https://asean.org/?static_post=tourism-statistics|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_TTCR_ASEAN_Report_2012.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829211257/http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_TTCR_ASEAN_Report_2012.pdf|archive-date=2017-08-29|title=The ASEAN Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report 2012|publisher=[[World Economic Forum]]}}</ref> In addition, the sector accounted for an estimated 8% of total capital investment in the region.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://investasean.asean.org/index.php/page/view/tourism |title=Tourism &#124; ASEAN Investment |access-date=2014-11-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141029213600/http://investasean.asean.org/index.php/page/view/tourism |archive-date=29 October 2014 }}</ref> In January 2012, ASEAN tourism ministers called for the development of a marketing strategy. The strategy represents the consensus of ASEAN National Tourism Organisations (NTOs) on marketing directions for ASEAN moving forward to 2015.<ref>{{cite book|title=ASEAN Tourism Marketing Strategy (ATMS) 2012–2015|date=Mar 2012|publisher=The ASEAN Secretariat Public Outreach and Civil Society Division|location=Jakarta|isbn=978-602-8411-97-4|url=http://www10.iadb.org/intal/intalcdi/PE/2012/10151.pdf|access-date=10 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150205203358/http://www10.iadb.org/intal/intalcdi/PE/2012/10151.pdf|archive-date=5 February 2015}}</ref> In 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_TT_Competitiveness_Report_2013.pdf|title=The Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report 2013|year=2013|publisher=[[World Economic Forum]]|access-date=1 November 2014|archive-date=5 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191105024651/http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_TT_Competitiveness_Report_2013.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

1981 The ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) was established. It is a regional meeting of NGOs, Ministers, sellers, buyers and journalists to promote the ASEAN countries as a single one tourist destination. The annual event 2019 in Ha Long marks the 38th anniversary and involves all the tourism industry sectors of the 11 member states of ASEAN: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam. It was organised by TTG Events from Singapore.

<gallery widths="150">
File:Indonesian Press Conference ATF 2019.ogv|Indonesian Press Conference AFT 2019
File:ASEAN Tourism Forum 2019 Vietnam woman cloth parade.jpg|ASEAN Tourism Forum 2019 - Traditional Vietnam woman cloth parade
File:ASEAN Tourism Awards 2019.jpg|ASEAN Tourism Awards 2019 - Gzhel costumes Vietnam style
File:Nguyễn Ngọc Thiện.jpg|Nguyễn Ngọc Thiện, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam at the ASEAN Tourism Awards 2019 in Ha Long Bay
File:Thai Village Princesses.jpg|Children from Thai Hai Reserve Area of Ecological Houses-on-stilts Ethnic Village at the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2019 in Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam; organised by TTG Events
File:Gala ATF 2019 Salute.jpg|Closing Ceremony of Visit Vietnam Year 2018 & Gala Celebrating the Success of ATF 2019
File:AirAsia (Truly ASEAN Livery), HS-ABE, Airbus A320-216 (40696562403).jpg|Southeast Asian carrier [[AirAsia]], featuring the "Truly ASEAN" tagline to promote regional tourism.
</gallery>

=== Cooperation funds ===
The establishment of the [[China-ASEAN Investment Cooperation Fund]] was announced in 2009 by Chinese Premier [[Wen Jiabao]] began operations in 2010.<ref name="AboutCAF">{{cite web |title=About |url=http://www.china-asean-fund.com/about-caf.php?slider1=1 |accessdate=28 March 2013 |publisher=China-ASEAN Investment Cooperation Fund Official Website}}</ref> The fund, which is sponsored by the [[Export-Import Bank of China]], among other institutional investors, became the first Southeast Asia-focused private equity fund approved by China's [[State Council of the People's Republic of China|State Council]] and the National Development and Reform Commission.<ref name="ManBull">{{cite news |last=Chan |first=Cathy |date=December 1, 2011 |title=China-ASEAN Investment Fund Plans To Deploy $500M In 2012 |url=http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/343200/chinaasean-investment-fund-plans-to-deploy-500m-in-2012#.UQ9lQFoTGKQ |accessdate=4 February 2013 |newspaper=Manila Bulletin}}</ref> The [[Export-Import Bank of China]] is the "anchor sponsor" with a "seed investment" of US$300 million.<ref name="IFC">{{cite web |title=China-ASEAN Fund on Investment Cooperation:Summary of Proposed Investment |url=http://ifcext.ifc.org/ifcext/spiwebsite1.nsf/0/EA30D66D3BCEE0F9852576BA000E3309 |accessdate=2 September 2013 |work=IFC Official Website |publisher=[[International Finance Corporation]], part of the [[World Bank]]}}</ref> Three other Chinese institutions invested a combined US$500 million.<ref name="IFC" /> The [[International Finance Corporation]] of the [[World Bank]] invested US$100 million.<ref name="IFC" />

In November 2011, the China-ASEAN Maritime Cooperation fund was established.<ref name="Loh" />{{Rp|page=160}} China underwrote the fund, which is valued at RMB 3 billion.<ref name="Loh" />{{Rp|page=160}}

==Foreign relations==
{{Main|ASEAN Summit}}

[[File:Asean flag flying at Royal Thai Embassy Helsinki.jpg|thumb|Royal Thai Embassy, Helsinki, flying its own national flag as well as ASEAN's flag]]ASEAN maintains a global network of alliances, dialogue partners and diplomatic missions, and is involved in numerous international affairs.<ref name="ASEANTreaties">{{cite news |title=Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) {{!}} Treaties & Regimes {{!}} NTI |url=http://www.nti.org/learn/treaties-and-regimes/association-southeast-asian-nations-asean/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413082230/https://www.nti.org/learn/treaties-and-regimes/association-southeast-asian-nations-asean/ |archive-date=13 April 2019 |access-date=3 March 2018 |newspaper=The Nuclear Threat Initiative}}</ref><ref name="aseanUN">{{cite web |date=20 December 2016 |title=ASEAN-UN Partnership |url=http://www.unaprcm.org/asean-un-partnership |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181012012749/http://www.unaprcm.org/asean-un-partnership |archive-date=12 October 2018 |access-date=7 December 2017 |website=Asia-Pacific Regional Coordination Mechanism}}</ref><ref name="aseanoverview">{{cite web |title=An Overview of ASEAN-United Nations Cooperation – ASEAN – ONE VISION ONE IDENTITY ONE COMMUNITY |url=http://asean.org/?static_post=background-overview-united-nations |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930053140/https://asean.org/?static_post=background-overview-united-nations |archive-date=30 September 2020 |access-date=28 April 2017}}</ref><ref name="UNgovorgs">{{cite web |title=Intergovernmental Organizations |url=https://www.un.org/en/sections/member-states/intergovernmental-organizations/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170523053652/http://www.un.org/en/sections/member-states/intergovernmental-organizations/index.html |archive-date=23 May 2017 |access-date=28 April 2017 |website=un.org}}</ref> The organisation maintains good relationships on an international scale, particularly towards Asia-Pacific nations, and upholds itself as a neutral party in politics. It holds [[ASEAN Summit]]s, where [[head of government|heads 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. The first summit was held in [[Bali]] in 1976. The third summit was in [[Manila]] in 1987, and during this meeting, it was decided that the leaders would meet every five years.<ref name="summit">[http://www.summit99.ops.gov.ph/asean_structure.htm ASEAN Structure], ''ASEAN Primer'' {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080222144528/http://www.summit99.ops.gov.ph/asean_structure.htm |date=22 February 2008 }}</ref> The fourth meeting was held in [[Singapore]] in 1992 where the leaders decided to meet more frequently, every three years.<ref name="summit" /> In 2001, it was decided that the organisation will meet annually to address urgent issues affecting the region. In December 2008, the ASEAN Charter came into force and with it, the ASEAN Summit will be held twice a year. The 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.<ref>[http://asean.org/asean-cer-meeting-trade-is-the-key-driver-in-fostering-growth-siem-reap-31-august-2012/ ASEAN-CER Meeting: Trade is the Key Driver in Fostering Growth] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930053248/https://asean.org/asean-cer-meeting-trade-is-the-key-driver-in-fostering-growth-siem-reap-31-august-2012/ |date=30 September 2020 }}, 31 August 2012, ASEAN Secretariat News</ref>
[[File:46th ASEAN Summit family photo.jpg|thumb|Family photo of ASEAN during the [[2025 ASEAN Summits|46th ASEAN Summit]] in [[Kuala Lumpur]], Malaysia, on 26 May 2025.]]
ASEAN is a major partner of the [[Shanghai Cooperation Organisation]], developing cooperation model with the organisation in the field of security, economy, finance, tourism, culture, environmental protection, development and sustainability.<ref name="Eurasia Future">{{cite news|url=https://www.eurasiafuture.com/2018/06/07/the-shanghai-cooperation-organisation-and-brics-should-combine-to-form-a-single-cohesive-group/|title=The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and BRICS Should Combine to Form a Single Cohesive Group – Eurasia Future|date=7 June 2018|work=Eurasia Future|access-date=11 June 2018|archive-date=30 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930053246/https://eurasiafuture.com/is-chad-losing-control-of-the-central-african-pivot-space/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="eng.sectsco.org">{{cite web|url=http://eng.sectsco.org/news/20170806/309746.html|title=Shanghai Cooperation Organisation {{!}} SCO|website=eng.sectsco.org|access-date=11 June 2018|archive-date=30 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930053311/http://eng.sectsco.org/news/20170806/309746.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="www.xinhuanet.com">{{cite news|url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-06/10/c_137244965.htm|title=Interview: Cambodian FM says Cambodia can bridge SCO and ASEAN – Xinhua {{!}} English.news.cn|work=xinhuanet.com|access-date=11 June 2018|archive-date=30 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930053250/http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-06/10/c_137244965.htm}}</ref><ref name="en.sco-russia.ru">{{cite web|url=http://en.sco-russia.ru/cooperation/20140905/1013179818.html|title=SCO-ASEAN Cooperation for Mutual Interests|website=en.sco-russia.ru|access-date=11 June 2018|archive-date=30 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930053251/http://en.sco-russia.ru/cooperation/20140905/1013179818.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Additionally, the grouping has been closely aligned with [[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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://asean.org/storage/2016/01/Overview-of-ASEAN-China-Relations-April-2017.pdf |title=Overview of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations |series = ASEAN Secretariat Information Paper | date = April 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180825002517/https://asean.org/storage/2016/01/Overview-of-ASEAN-China-Relations-April-2017.pdf |archive-date=25 August 2018 |access-date=29 November 2018 | pages = 3–5 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Taking Asean-China ties to the next level |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/taking-asean-china-ties-to-the-next-level |work=The Straits Times |date=15 September 2017 |access-date=24 August 2018 |archive-date=25 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180825002519/https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/taking-asean-china-ties-to-the-next-level |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=First ASEAN-China maritime field training exercise to be held in October: MINDEF |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/first-asean-china-maritime-exercise-training-navy-mindef-10586432 |work=Channel NewsAsia |access-date=24 August 2018 |archive-date=30 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930053251/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/first-asean-china-maritime-exercise-training-navy-mindef-10586432 |url-status=live }}</ref> It is also the linchpin in the foreign policy of Australia and New Zealand, with the three sides being integrated into an essential alliance.<ref>{{cite news |title=ASEAN-Australia Special Summit ends with commitments on cybersecurity, free trade |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/asean-australia-special-summit-commitment-cybersecurity-trade-10054114 |work=Channel NewsAsia |access-date=16 September 2018 |archive-date=30 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930053252/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/asean-australia-special-summit-commitment-cybersecurity-trade-10054114 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Trade |first1=New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and |title=Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) |url=https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/countries-and-regions/south-east-asia/association-of-south-east-asian-nations-asean/ |work=New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade |access-date=16 September 2018 |archive-date=30 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930053320/https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/countries-and-regions/south-east-asia/association-of-south-east-asian-nations-asean/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=ASEAN seeks to strengthen trade relations with partners – Xinhua {{!}} English.news.cn |url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-09/01/c_137437019.htm |work=xinhuanet.com |access-date=16 September 2018 |archive-date=30 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930053257/http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-09/01/c_137437019.htm }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Stolarchuk |first1=Jewel |title=Reflecting on the ASEAN–Australian relationship |url=http://theindependent.sg/reflecting-on-the-asean-australian-relationship/ |work=The Independent |access-date=16 September 2018 |archive-date=30 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200330181723/http://theindependent.sg/reflecting-on-the-asean-australian-relationship/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

ASEAN also participates in the [[East Asia Summit]] (EAS), a pan-Asian forum held annually by the leaders of eighteen countries in the [[East Asia]]n region, with ASEAN in a leadership position. Initially, 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. The first summit was held in [[Kuala Lumpur]] on 14 December 2005, and subsequent meetings have been held after the annual ASEAN Leaders' Meeting. The summit has discussed issues including trade, [[energy]], and security and the summit has a role in [[East Asia Community|regional community building]].

Other meetings include the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting<ref name="ministry">[http://www.asean.org/89.htm ASEAN Ministerial Meetings], ASEAN Secretariat. Retrieved 13 March 2007. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302194224/http://www.asean.org/89.htm |date=2 March 2012 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.asean.org/73.htm Asean.org], ASEAN Secretariat. Retrieved 16 March 2007. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120622232333/http://www.asean.org/73.htm |date=22 June 2012 }}</ref> that focus mostly on specific topics, such as defence or the environment,<ref>{{cite news|title=Malaysians have had enough of haze woes |url=http://www.malaysianbar.org.my/content/view/4967/2/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121219224631/http://www.malaysianbar.org.my/content/view/4967/2/ |archive-date=19 December 2012 |publisher=The Malaysian Bar |access-date=13 March 2007 }}</ref> and are attended by [[Minister (government)|ministers]]. The {{visible anchor|ASEAN Regional Forum}} (ARF), which met for the first time in 1994, fosters dialogue and consultation, and to promote confidence-building and preventive diplomacy in the region.<ref>[http://www.aseanregionalforum.org/Default.aspx?tabid=49 About Us] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130725021423/http://www.aseanregionalforum.org/Default.aspx?tabid=49 |date=25 July 2013 }}, [http://www.aseanregionalforum.org/ ASEAN Regional Forum official website] . Retrieved 12 June 2006.</ref> As 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, Timor-Leste, the United States, and Sri Lanka.<ref>{{cite web|title=ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF)|url=http://www.dfat.gov.au/international-relations/regional-architecture/asean/pages/asean-regional-forum-arf.aspx|website=Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade|publisher=Government of Australia|access-date=12 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227150707/http://www.dfat.gov.au/international-relations/regional-architecture/asean/pages/asean-regional-forum-arf.aspx|archive-date=27 February 2015}}</ref> Taiwan 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.

ASEAN also holds meetings with Europe during the [[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]] and ASEAN in particular.<ref>{{cite book |title=Asia and Europe: the development and different dimensions of ASEM |author=Lay Hwee Yeo |year=2003 |publisher=Routledge (UK) |isbn=978-0-415-30697-3 }}</ref> ASEAN, represented by its secretariat, is one of the forty-five ASEM partners. It also appoints a representative to sit on the governing board of [[Asia-Europe Foundation]] (ASEF), a socio-cultural organisation associated with the meeting. Annual bilateral meetings between ASEAN and India, Russia and the United States are also held.

Prior to 2012, ASEAN foreign ministerial statements were not typically contentious.<ref name="Loh" />{{Rp|page=90}} Particularly as international disagreements over the South China Sea increased, the wording of ASEAN foreign ministerial statements became more politically contended.<ref name="Loh" />{{Rp|pages=90–91}}

Following the [[2022 visit by Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan|2022 visit by United States Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan]], ASEAN and individual member states  reiterated their support of the [[One China]] policy.<ref name="Loh" />{{Rp|page=89}}

On 12 November 2022, Ukrainian Foreign Minister [[Dmytro Kuleba]] urged ASEAN countries to abandon their neutrality and condemn Russia's [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine|invasion of Ukraine]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Ukraine minister urges ASEAN bloc to stop Russia's 'hunger games' |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/11/12/ukraine-minister-urges-asean-bloc-to-stop-russias-hunger-games |work=Al Jazeera |date=12 November 2022}}</ref>

===Territorial disputes===
====South China Sea====
{{Main|Territorial disputes in the South China Sea}}

With perceptions that there have been [[Territorial disputes in the South China Sea|multiple incursions]] into the [[South China Sea]] by the PRC (China) and ROC (Taiwan), with land, islands and resources all having had previous overlapping claims between [[Vietnam]], [[Philippines]], [[Malaysia]], [[Brunei]], [[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]] into the region.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Territorial Disputes in the South China Sea |url=https://cfr.org/global-conflict-tracker/conflict/territorial-disputes-south-china-sea |access-date=2022-07-25 |website=Global Conflict Tracker}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Stiffening the ASEAN spine in the South China Sea |url=https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/stiffening-asean-spine-south-china-sea |access-date=2022-07-25 |website=lowyinstitute.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/10/world/asia/indonesia-south-china-sea-military-buildup.html| title=Indonesia, Long on Sidelines, Starts to Confront China's Territorial Claims| newspaper=The New York Times| date=10 September 2017| last1=Cochrane| first1=Joe| access-date=20 October 2018| archive-date=30 September 2020| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930053331/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/10/world/asia/indonesia-south-china-sea-military-buildup.html| url-status=live}}</ref>

Shortly after the conclusion of the [[South China Sea Arbitration]], at the 24 July 2016 China-ASEAN Foreign Ministers summit, China assured ASEAN that it would not conduct [[Land reclamation in China|land reclamation]] on the Scarborough Shoal.<ref name="Wang2024">{{Cite book |last=Wang |first=Frances Yaping |title=The Art of State Persuasion: China's Strategic Use of Media in Interstate Disputes |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |year=2024 |isbn=9780197757512}}</ref>{{Rp|page=129}} The joint statement at the conclusion of the summit emphasised 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.<ref name="Wang2024" />{{Rp|page=129}}

Within ASEAN, [[Cambodia–China relations|Cambodia]] is often supportive of the PRC's positions, including on the South China Sea issue.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Gerstl |first=Alfred |title=Contemporary China: a New Superpower? |publisher=[[Routledge]] |year=2023 |isbn=978-1-03-239508-1 |editor-last=Kironska |editor-first=Kristina |chapter=China in its Immediate Neighborhood |editor-last2=Turscanyi |editor-first2=Richard Q.}}</ref>{{Rp|page=211}}

====Bilateral====
There have been [[territorial dispute]]s between ASEAN member states such as the [[Cambodian–Thai border dispute]] between Cambodia and Thailand, [[Cambodia–Vietnam relations#Recent events|Cambodian–Vietnamese border dispute]] between Cambodia and Vietnam,<ref>{{cite web| url=https://theaseanpost.com/article/lesser-known-border-tensions-between-cambodia-and-vietnam-0| title=Lesser known border tensions between Cambodia and Vietnam| work=theaseanpost.com| date=9 April 2018| access-date=5 February 2020| archive-date=4 February 2020| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200204234627/https://theaseanpost.com/article/lesser-known-border-tensions-between-cambodia-and-vietnam-0| url-status=live}}</ref> and the [[North Borneo dispute]] between the Philippines and Malaysia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2016/02/27/1557213/binay-pursue-territorial-claim-sabah-if-elected|title=Binay to pursue territorial claim to Sabah if elected| first1= Helen | last1= Flores| first2= Alexis | last2= Romero| work=The Philippine Star|date=27 February 2016|access-date=25 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160325101019/http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2016/02/27/1557213/binay-pursue-territorial-claim-sabah-if-elected|archive-date= 25 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2479&dat=20000402&id=P1M1AAAAIBAJ&pg=2032,892348&hl=en|title=Marcos order: Destabilize, take Sabah|newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer|date=2 April 2000|access-date=19 June 2015|archive-date=30 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930053330/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2479&dat=20000402&id=P1M1AAAAIBAJ&pg=2032%2C892348&hl=en|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/citing-militant-threats-on-sabah-bn-mp-tells-putrajaya-to-cut-diplomatic-ti|title=Citing militant threats on Sabah, BN MP tells Putrajaya to cut diplomatic ties to Manila|author= Yiswaree Palansamy|newspaper=The Malay Mail|date=15 March 2016|access-date=25 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160325100426/http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/citing-militant-threats-on-sabah-bn-mp-tells-putrajaya-to-cut-diplomatic-ti|archive-date=25 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/malaysia-asks-philippines/2565596.html|title=Malaysia asks Philippines not to threaten ties over Sabah claim| first= Sumisha | last= Naidu|publisher=Channel NewsAsia|date=2 March 2016|access-date=25 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160325095839/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/malaysia-asks-philippines/2565596.html|archive-date=25 March 2016}}</ref> The [[Vietnamese invasion of Cambodia]] in 1978, backed by the Soviet Union, was not accepted by ASEAN. They rejected it as a violation of the principles of regional integration. ASEAN cooperated with US and Australia to oppose Vietnam's move and it sponsored a Cambodian resolution in the United Nations General Assembly. ASEAN played a major role starting in 1980 in the peace process, leading to the 1991 Paris Agreement.

===Relations with other blocs===
[[File:ASEAN with Plus 3 and Plus 6.png|thumb|upright=1.8|
{{legend|#1743a6|ASEAN}}<!-- Blue -->
{{legend|#6330d5|ASEAN Plus Three}}<!-- Purple -->
{{legend|#0d675e|ASEAN Plus Six}}<!-- Teal -->
]]

====ASEAN Plus Three====
In 1990, Malaysia proposed the creation of an [[East Asia Economic Caucus]]<ref name="caucus">[http://www.asean.org/9303.htm East Asia Economic Caucus]. ASEAN Secretariat. Retrieved 14 March 2007. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302193928/http://www.asean.org/9303.htm|date=2 March 2012}}</ref> composed of the members of ASEAN, China, Japan, and South Korea. It intended to counterbalance the growing US influence in [[Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation]] (APEC) and Asia as a whole.<ref name="oppose">{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20060429002757/http://asiaviews.org/?content=ger53rger567664&voices=20060125184254 Asiaviews.org]}}, Whither East Asia? Retrieved 14 March 2007.</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20100605002320/http://digital.library.unt.edu/govdocs/crs//data/1993/upl-meta-crs-66/93-633f_1993Jun30.txt?PHPSESSID=f7a7ec622077fa19bfce9ec9def6f3d9 UNT.edu], Asia's Reaction to NAFTA, Nancy J. Hamilton. CRS – Congressional Research Service. Retrieved 14 March 2007.</ref> However, the proposal failed because of strong opposition from the US and Japan.<ref name="oppose" /><ref>[http://www.iht.com/articles/1994/07/26/caucus.php IHT.com], Japan Straddles Fence on Issue of East Asia Caucus. [[International Herald Tribune]]. Retrieved 14 March 2007. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090212201202/http://www.iht.com/articles/1994/07/26/caucus.php|date=12 February 2009}}</ref> Work for further integration continued, and the ASEAN Plus Three,<ref name="aseanplusthree">[https://aseanplusthree.asean.org/about-apt/ ASEAN Plus Three – History and Development]</ref> consisting of ASEAN, China, Japan, and South Korea, was created in 1997.

ASEAN Plus Three<ref name="aseanplusthree" /> is a forum that functions as a coordinator of co-operation between the ASEAN and the three [[East Asia]]n nations of China, South Korea, and Japan. Government leaders, ministers, and senior officials from the eleven members of ASEAN and the three East Asian states consult on an increasing range of issues.<ref>[http://www.irchina.org/en/pdf/zxm06.pdf "The Rise of China and Community Building in East Asia"]{{dead link|date=October 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, Zhang Xiaoming, ASIAN Perspective, Vol. 30, No. 3, 2006, pp. 129–148.</ref> ASEAN Plus Three is the latest development of Southeast Asia-East Asia regional co-operation. In 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aseansec.org/16580.htm |title=ASEAN Plus Three Cooperation|access-date=2016-04-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204162811/http://www.aseansec.org/16580.htm |archive-date=4 February 2012|url-status=usurped }}</ref>

The first leaders' meetings were held in 1996, and 1997 to deal with [[Asia–Europe Meeting]] issues, and China and Japan each wanted regular summit meetings with ASEAN members afterwards. The group's significance and importance were strengthened by the [[1997 Asian financial crisis]]. In response to the crisis, ASEAN closely cooperated with China, South Korea, and Japan. Since 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.<ref>Stubbs, R. "ASEAN Plus Three: Emerging East Asian Regionalism?" n.d. web. 12 May 2012.</ref> ASEAN Plus Three, in establishing the [[Chiang Mai Initiative]], has been credited as forming the basis for financial stability in Asia,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aseansec.org/17902.pdf|title=Welcome To The World Of Smokeless Cigarettes!|author=atinder|work=E-Cigarette Review Council|access-date=28 April 2016|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716172317/http://www.aseansec.org/17902.pdf|archive-date=16 July 2011}}</ref> the lack of such stability having contributed to the [[1997 Asian financial crisis]].

Since 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, poverty alleviation, human trafficking, labour movement, communicable diseases, environment and sustainable development, and [[transnational crime]], including counter-terrorism. With 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]] to stock-take, review, and identify the future direction of the co-operation.

The ASEAN Plus Three framework also serves as a platform for the ASEAN affiliated intergovernmental organisations in China, Korea, and Japan to meet and cooperate. The [[ASEAN-China Centre]], the [[ASEAN-Japan Centre]], and [[ASEAN-Korea Centre]] currently convene annually to discuss ongoing projects and to discuss possible areas of cooperation vis-a-vis ASEAN.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.asean-china-center.org/english/2022-10/11397.html |title= Secretaries-General of ASEAN-China Centre, ASEAN-Japan Centre and ASEAN-Korea Centre Held 18th Informal Meeting |access-date=2024-05-07 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230923073442/http://www.asean-china-center.org/english/2022-10/11397.html |archive-date=23 September 2023 }}</ref>

====ASEAN Plus Six====
ASEAN Plus Three was the first of attempts for further integration to improve existing ties of Southeast Asia with [[East Asia]]n countries of China, Japan and South Korea. This was followed by the even larger [[East Asia Summit]] (EAS), which included ASEAN Plus Three as well as India, Australia, and New Zealand. This group acted as a prerequisite for the planned [[East Asia Community]] which was supposedly patterned after the [[European Community]] (now transformed into the [[European Union]]). The [[ASEAN Eminent Persons Group]] was created to study this policy's possible successes and failures.

The group became ASEAN Plus Six with Australia, New Zealand, and India, and stands as the linchpin of the [[Asia–Pacific]]'s economic, political, security, socio-cultural architecture, as well as the global economy.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.jcer.or.jp/eng/pdf/asia07.pdf |title=An ASEAN+6 Economic Partnership: Significance and Tasks |last=Urata |first=Shujiro |date=February 2008 |access-date=29 November 2018 |archive-date=30 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930053153/https://www.jcer.or.jp/eng/pdf/asia07.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/region_e/con_sep07_e/kawai_wignaraja_e.pdf |title=ASEAN+3 or ASEAN+6: Which Way Forward? |last1=Kawai |first1=Masahiro |last2=Wignaraja |first2=Ganeshan |access-date=29 November 2018 |archive-date=30 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930053202/https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/region_e/con_sep07_e/kawai_wignaraja_e.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Conclusion for RCEP">{{cite news |last=Tang |first=See Kit|title=Conclusion for Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership 'finally in sight': PM Lee |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/asean-regional-comprehensive-economic-partnership-pm-lee-10662722 |work=[[Channel NewsAsia]] |date=29 August 2018 |access-date=16 September 2018 |archive-date=16 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180916164051/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/asean-regional-comprehensive-economic-partnership-pm-lee-10662722 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="East Asia Forum">{{cite news|url=http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2009/05/15/asean6-as-a-step-towards-an-asian-economic-community/|title=ASEAN+6 as a step towards an Asian Economic Community|date=15 May 2009|work=East Asia Forum|access-date=16 September 2018|archive-date=30 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930053206/https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2009/05/15/asean6-as-a-step-towards-an-asian-economic-community/|url-status=live}}</ref> Codification of the relations between these countries has seen progress through the development of the [[Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership]], a free-trade agreement involving the 15 countries of ASEAN Plus Six (excluding India). RCEP would, in part, allow the members to protect local sectors and give more time to comply with the aim for developed country members.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/tpp-rcep-ftaap-a-users-guide-to-alphabet-soup-of-trade-deals |title=TPP, RCEP, FTAAP – a user's guide to alphabet soup of trade deals |newspaper=The Straits Times |date=20 November 2016 |access-date=28 November 2016 |archive-date=30 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930053205/http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/tpp-rcep-ftaap-a-users-guide-to-alphabet-soup-of-trade-deals |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[India]] temporarily does not join the RCEP for the protection of its own market, but Japan, China, and ASEAN welcomes India's participation.<ref name="Chinese government official website. 1–25">{{cite web |url=http://www.gov.cn/xinwen/2019-11/08/content_5450257.htm |script-title=zh:中方：无意追求对印度贸易顺差 欢迎印度尽早加入Rcep_滚动新闻_中国政府网 |script-website=zh:中国政府网_中央人民政府门户网站}}</ref>

[[Taiwan]] has been excluded from participating with the organisation owing to China's influence on the [[Asia–Pacific]] through its economic and diplomatic influence.<ref name="Hsieh pp. 1–25">{{cite journal | last=Hsieh | first=Pasha L. | title=Rethinking non-recognition: Taiwan's new pivot to ASEAN and the one-China policy | journal=Cambridge Review of International Affairs | publisher=Informa UK Limited | date=2019-09-09 | volume=33 | issue=2 | issn=0955-7571 | doi=10.1080/09557571.2019.1657796 | pages=204–228 | s2cid=203301979 | url=https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/sol_research/2953 | access-date=3 September 2020 | archive-date=30 September 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930053205/https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/sol_research/2953/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

==Environment==
[[File:Borneo fires October 2006.jpg|thumb|left|Haze over [[Borneo]], 2006]]
[[File:Asean-co2-emissions-per-capita.png|thumb|[[Greenhouse gas emissions]] per capita of different ASEAN countries.]]
At the turn of the 21st century, ASEAN began to discuss environmental agreements. These included the signing of the [[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.<ref>ASEAN Secretariat. [http://www.asean.org/8914.htm ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution]. Extracted 12 October 2006 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302193935/http://www.asean.org/8914.htm |date=2 March 2012 }}</ref> Unfortunately, this was unsuccessful due to the outbreaks of haze in [[2005 Malaysian haze|2005]], [[2006 Southeast Asian haze|2006]], [[2009 Southeast Asian haze|2009]], [[2013 Southeast Asian haze|2013]], and [[2015 Southeast Asian haze|2015]]. Thirteen years after signing the [[ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution]], the situation with respect to the long term issue of [[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.<ref>{{cite web|title=Travel Advise for Swiss Abroad in Singapore (German)|url=https://www.eda.admin.ch/countries/singapore/de/home/reisehinweise/vor-ort.html|access-date=19 September 2015|archive-date=25 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151025050641/https://www.eda.admin.ch/countries/singapore/de/home/reisehinweise/vor-ort.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Travel advise for Swiss abroad in Malaysia|url=https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/de/home/vertretungen-und-reisehinweise/malaysia/reisehinweise-fuermalaysia.html|access-date=19 September 2015|archive-date=16 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016162730/https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/de/home/vertretungen-und-reisehinweise/malaysia/reisehinweise-fuermalaysia.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Travel advise for Swiss abroad in Indonesia|url=https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/de/home/vertretungen-und-reisehinweise/indonesien/reisehinweise-fuerindonesien.html|access-date=19 September 2015|archive-date=16 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016162730/https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/de/home/vertretungen-und-reisehinweise/indonesien/reisehinweise-fuerindonesien.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Trash dumping from foreign countries (such as Japan and Canada) to ASEAN has yet to be discussed and resolved.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/years-after-2500-tonnes-of-canadian-trash-landed-in-manila-philippines-demanding-we-take-it-back | title=Years after 2,500 tonnes of Canadian trash landed in Manila, Philippines demanding we take it back | newspaper=National Post | access-date=4 March 2016 }}</ref> Important issues include [[deforestation]] (with Indonesia recorded the largest loss of forest in the region, more than other member states combined in the 2001–2013 period<ref>{{cite web|title=Country Rankings|url=http://www.globalforestwatch.org/countries/overview|website=Global Forest Loss|access-date=2 March 2015|archive-date=7 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150407032917/http://www.globalforestwatch.org/countries/overview}}</ref>), 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<ref>{{cite journal |last=Jambeck |first=Jenna |author-link=Jenna Jambeck |s2cid=206562155 |title=Plastic Waste Inputs from Land into the Ocean |journal=Science |date=13 February 2015 |volume=347 |issue=6223 |pages=768–771 |doi=10.1126/science.1260352 |pmid=25678662 |bibcode=2015Sci...347..768J}}</ref>), threatened mammal species (Indonesia ranked the worst in the region with 184 species under threat<ref>{{cite web|title=Mammal species, threatened|url=http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/EN.MAM.THRD.NO/countries|website=World Bank|publisher=UN Environmental Forum; [[World Conservation Monitoring Centre]]; [[International Union for Conservation of Nature]] (IUCN)|access-date=24 June 2015|date=2014|archive-date=26 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626100548/http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/EN.MAM.THRD.NO/countries|url-status=live}}</ref>), threatened fish species (Indonesia ranked the worst in the region<ref>{{cite web|title=Fish species, threatened|url=http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/EN.FSH.THRD.NO/countries|website=The World Bank|access-date=24 June 2015|archive-date=30 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930053308/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/EN.FSH.THRD.NO|url-status=live}}</ref>), threatened (higher) plant species (Malaysia ranked the worst in the region<ref>{{cite web|title=Plant species (higher), threatened|url=http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/EN.HPT.THRD.NO/countries|website=The World Bank|access-date=24 June 2015|archive-date=30 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930053308/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/EN.HPT.THRD.NO|url-status=live}}</ref>).
[[File:SolarGIS-Solar-map-South-And-South-East-Asia-en.png|thumb|[[Solar irradiance]] map of South and Southeast Asia, showing the high potential of [[solar power]] in ASEAN.]]
ASEAN's aggregate economy is one of the fastest growing in the world. It 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 [[Carbon dioxide|CO<sub>2</sub>]] to the atmosphere every year. That makes ASEAN a greater source of [[greenhouse gas emissions]] than Japan (1.3 billion tonnes per year) or Germany (796 million tonnes per year). It is the only region in the world where coal is expected to increase its share of the [[energy mix]].<ref name="Overland 100019" /> According to the [[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]] use,... Oil is the largest element in the regional energy mix and coal, largely for power generation, has been the fastest growing."<ref name="E&E-20191120" /> ASEAN has been criticised for not doing enough to [[Climate change mitigation|mitigate climate change]] although it is the world's most vulnerable region in terms of [[Climate change in Southeast Asia|climate impact]].<ref name="Overland 100019" />

ASEAN has many opportunities for [[renewable energy]].<ref name="spatial">{{cite web |title=An Overview of Spatial Policy in Vietnam |url=https://www.mlit.go.jp/kokudokeikaku/international/spw/general/vietnam/index_e.html |access-date=2023-10-19 |website=mlit.go.jp}}</ref><ref name="DoBurkeNguyenOverlandSuryadiSwandaruYurnaidi2021">{{cite journal|last1=Do|first1=Thang Nam|last2=Burke|first2=Paul J.|last3=Nguyen|first3=Hoang Nam|last4=Overland|first4=Indra|last5=Suryadi|first5=Beni|last6=Swandaru|first6=Akbar|last7=Yurnaidi|first7=Zulfikar|date=2021-12-01|title=Vietnam's solar and wind power success: Policy implications for the other ASEAN countries|journal=Energy for Sustainable Development|volume=65|pages=1–11|doi=10.1016/j.esd.2021.09.002|issn=0973-0826|doi-access=free|bibcode=2021ESusD..65....1D |hdl=1885/248804|hdl-access=free}}</ref> With [[Solar power|solar]] and [[wind power]] plus off river pumped hydro storage, ASEAN electricity industry could achieve very high penetration (78%–97%) of domestic solar 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.<ref name="spatial" /> Vietnam's experience in solar and wind power development provides relevant implications for the other ASEAN countries.<ref name="DoBurkeNguyenOverlandSuryadiSwandaruYurnaidi2021" /> The proposed [[ASEAN Power Grid]] could allow for renewable energy transmission from large producers like [[Vietnam]] to others within ASEAN.

=== Energy transition ===
{{See also|ASEAN Power Grid}}[[File:Key features of energy transition in Southeast Asia.png|thumb|Key features of energy transition in Southeast Asia]]
The ASEAN has initiated its transition to cleaner energy sources. This transition is characterised as Demanding, Doable, and Dependent.<ref name="Do">{{Cite journal |last=Do |first=Thang Nam |date=May 2024 |title=Insider perspectives on Southeast Asiaʼs clean energy transition |journal=Asia & the Pacific Policy Studies|volume=11 |issue=2 |article-number=e390 |doi=10.1002/app5.390 |issn=2050-2680|doi-access=free }}</ref> With approximately 679 million inhabitants, the region is witnessing a substantial surge in energy demand, projected to triple by 2050. However, transitioning energy sources requires significant resources. Southeast Asia would need to invest US$27 billion annually in renewable energy to achieve the target of 23% renewables in the primary energy supply by 2025. Nevertheless, this goal is attainable with the implementation of appropriate policies.<ref name="Do" />

Vietnam serves as a compelling example of rapid adoption of solar and wind energy.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Do |first1=Thang Nam |last2=Burke |first2=Paul J. |last3=Nguyen |first3=Hoang Nam |last4=Overland |first4=Indra |last5=Suryadi |first5=Beni |last6=Swandaru |first6=Akbar |last7=Yurnaidi |first7=Zulfikar |date=2021-12-01 |title=Vietnam's solar and wind power success: Policy implications for the other ASEAN countries |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S097308262100096X |journal=Energy for Sustainable Development |volume=65 |pages=1–11 |doi=10.1016/j.esd.2021.09.002 |bibcode=2021ESusD..65....1D |issn=0973-0826|hdl=1885/248804 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> Since 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. Though, the region requires international assistance to meet its net-zero emission targets.<ref name="Do" /> Phasing out coal remains a daunting task, although countries such as Indonesia and Vietnam have pledged to phasing out coal power by 2040s.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Do |first1=Thang Nam |last2=Burke |first2=Paul J. |date=2024-06-01 |title=Phasing out coal power in two major Southeast Asian thermal coal economies: Indonesia and Vietnam |journal=Energy for Sustainable Development |volume=80 |article-number=101451 |doi=10.1016/j.esd.2024.101451 |issn=0973-0826|doi-access=free |bibcode=2024ESusD..8001451D |hdl=1885/317223 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> Several high-profile leaders such as the head of the Indonesian national energy company [[Perusahaan Listrik Negara|PLN]], [[Darmawan Prasodjo]], have stated that the [[ASEAN Power Grid]] proposal is key to unlocking the potential for green energy in southeast Asia.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=ASEAN AIPF Opened by President, PLN Presents Green Enabling Supergrid |url=https://www.jcnnewswire.com/pressrelease/86382/2/ASEAN-AIPF-Opened-by-President,-PLN-Presents-Green-Enabling-Supergrid |access-date=2024-05-25 |website=jcnnewswire.com}}</ref>

==Education==
[[File:ASEAN Delegation at EAYDP 2023 Malaysia.jpg|thumb|ASEAN Delegation at the EU-ASEAN Youth Diplomat Program 2023 in Faculty of International Relations of [[University Malaya]]]]
To 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]].<ref name="Education 2009">"ASEANWEB – Education." ASEANWEB – Education. N.p., 2009. Web. 23 October 2012.</ref> At 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. The annual ASEAN Education Ministers Meeting oversees co-operation efforts on education at the ministerial level. With regard to implementation, programs, and activities are carried out by the ASEAN Senior Officials on Education (SOM-ED). SOM-ED also manages co-operation on [[higher education]] through the [[ASEAN University Network]] (AUN).<ref>ASEAN. "ASEAN Education Ministers Meeting". Association of Southeast Asian Nations. ASEAN Secretariat. 2012. {{cite web |url=http://www.asean.org/communities/asean-socio-cultural-community/category/asean-education-ministers-meeting-ased |title=ASEAN Education Ministers Meeting (ASED) |access-date=2015-02-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150211074208/http://www.asean.org/communities/asean-socio-cultural-community/category/asean-education-ministers-meeting-ased |archive-date=11 February 2015 }}</ref> It is a consortium of [[Southeast Asia]]n tertiary institutions of which 30 currently belong as participating universities.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aun-sec.org/member_u.html |title=ASEAN University Network/Board Member |publisher=Aun-sec.org |access-date=21 December 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080731123240/http://www.aun-sec.org/member_u.html |archive-date = 31 July 2008}}</ref> Founded in November 1995 by 11 universities,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aun-sec.org/about_agreement.html |title=ASEAN University Network/Agreement |publisher=Aun-sec.org |access-date=21 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090201084304/http://www.aun-sec.org/about_agreement.html |archive-date=1 February 2009 }}</ref> the AUN was established to:<ref name="Education 2009" /> 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.

In November 2011, ten vocational schools and centres were established in China to help develop human resources to assist in the economic and social development of the ASEAN countries.<ref name="Loh">{{Cite book |last=Loh |first=Dylan M.H. |title=China's Rising Foreign Ministry: Practices and Representations of Assertive Diplomacy |publisher=[[Stanford University Press]] |year=2024 |isbn=9781503638204}}</ref>{{Rp|page=160}}

ASEAN also has a [[scholarship]] program offered by Singapore to the 9 other member states for secondary school, junior college, and university education. It covers accommodation, food, medical benefits and accident insurance, school fees, and examination fees. Its recipients, who perform well on the [[GCE Advanced Level]] Examination, may apply for ASEAN undergraduate scholarships, which are tailored specifically to undergraduate institutions in Singapore and other ASEAN member countries.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.moe.gov.sg/admissions/scholarships/asean|title=About the ASEAN Scholarships|website=Ministry of Education Singapore|access-date=1 May 2017|archive-date=3 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703220100/https://www.moe.gov.sg/admissions/scholarships/asean|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ascklee.org/CV/iKMS-Article-2010.pdf |author=Keong, Lee Chu |title=Knowledge Management: Some Definitions. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130705153359/http://ascklee.org/CV/iKMS-Article-2010.pdf |archive-date=5 July 2013 |access-date=29 November 2018}}</ref>

'Australia for ASEAN' scholarships are also offered by the [[Australian Government]] to the 'next generation of leaders' from ASEAN member states. By undertaking a [[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. Each ASEAN member state is able to receive ten 'Australia for ASEAN' scholarships.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dfat.gov.au/people-to-people/australia-awards/participating-countries/australia-asean-scholarships |title=Australia for ASEAN scholarships |publisher=Australian Government – Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade |access-date=12 September 2022}}</ref>

==Culture==
The organisation hosts cultural activities in an attempt to further integrate the region. These include sports and educational activities as well as writing awards. Examples of these include the [[ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity]], [[ASEAN Heritage Parks]]<ref>{{cite web|title=ASEAN Heritage Parks|url=http://chm.aseanbiodiversity.org/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=110&current=110|website=Biodiversity Information Sharing Service|publisher=ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB)|access-date=25 June 2015|archive-date=2 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402132522/http://chm.aseanbiodiversity.org/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=110&current=110|url-status=live}}</ref> and the [[ASEAN Outstanding Scientist and Technologist Award]]. In addition, the ASEAN region has been recognised as one of the world's most diverse regions ethnically, religiously and linguistically.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lehmann |first1=Jean-Pierre |title=What's Next For ASEAN |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jplehmann/2017/04/26/whats-next-for-asean/#54a0054656d0 |work=Forbes |access-date=17 September 2018 |archive-date=30 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930053335/https://www.forbes.com/sites/jplehmann/2017/04/26/whats-next-for-asean/#54a0054656d0 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Zein |first1=Subhan |last2=Stroupe |first2=Richmond |title=English and language-in-education policy in the ASEAN Plus Three Forum |journal=Asian Englishes |volume=19 |issue=3 |pages=193–196|doi=10.1080/13488678.2017.1389061 |date=2 September 2017|doi-access=free }}</ref>

===Media===
[[File:Press at ASEAN 2018 Press Conference (28897538337).jpg|thumb|ASEAN 2018 Press Conference in Singapore, cooperative efforts within SEA media was set by ACPM standards]]
Member states have promoted co-operation in information to help build an ASEAN identity. One of the main bodies in ASEAN co-operation in information is the ASEAN Committee on Culture and Information (COCI). Established 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. It 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. The representatives meet annually to formulate and agree on projects in support of their mission.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asean.org/communities/asean-socio-cultural-community/category/asean-ministers-responsible-for-information-amri|title=ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Information (AMRI)|access-date=14 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150627073720/http://www.asean.org/communities/asean-socio-cultural-community/category/asean-ministers-responsible-for-information-amri|archive-date=27 June 2015}}</ref> On 14 November 2014, foreign ministers of member states launched the ASEAN Communication Master Plan (ACPM).<ref name="ACMP">{{cite book|title=ASEAN Communication Master Plan – ASEAN: A Community of Opportunities|date=Oct 2014|publisher=ASEAN Secretariat; Public Outreach and Civil Society Division|location=Jakarta|isbn=978-602-0980-02-7|url=http://www.asean.org/images/pdf/2014_upload/ACMP_Print_pdf_final.pdf|access-date=10 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150205203744/http://www.asean.org/images/pdf/2014_upload/ACMP_Print_pdf_final.pdf|archive-date=5 February 2015}}</ref> It 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.<ref name="ACMP-Remarks">{{cite web|title=Opening Remarks by Secretary-General of ASEAN, H.E. Le Luong Minh at the Launching of the ASEAN Communication Master Plan|url=http://www.asean.org/images/pdf/2014_upload/Remarks_SG_forACMP_Launch_POCS.pdf|website=ASEAN|access-date=10 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904103519/http://www.asean.org/images/pdf/2014_upload/Remarks_SG_forACMP_Launch_POCS.pdf|archive-date=4 September 2015}}</ref>

ASEAN Media Cooperation (AMC) sets digital television standards and policies in preparation for broadcasters to transition from analogue to digital broadcasting. This 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=2101331018243 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121222010758/http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=2101331018243 |archive-date=22 December 2012 |title=ASEAN Promotes Use of Social Media |work=Philippine Information Agency |access-date=1 October 2012 }}</ref> Several key initiatives under the AMC include:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mda.gov.sg/International/Pages/ASEAN.aspx |title=Deepening ASEAN Media Cooperation Within and Beyond |publisher=Media Development Authority |access-date=31 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120510001847/http://www.mda.gov.sg/International/Pages/ASEAN.aspx |archive-date=10 May 2012 }}</ref>
* The ASEAN Media Portal<ref>{{cite web|last=Media Development Authority |title=New Media Portal to Enhance ASEAN'S COCI Website and Offer Access to the Region's Media Industry |url=http://www.mda.gov.sg/NewsAndEvents/PressRelease/2007/Pages/16112007a.aspx |access-date=1 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110206072830/http://mda.gov.sg/NewsAndEvents/PressRelease/2007/Pages/16112007a.aspx |archive-date=6 February 2011 }}</ref> was launched 16 November 2007. The portal aims to provide a one-stop site that contains documentaries, games, music videos, and multimedia clips on the culture, arts, and heritage of the ASEAN countries to showcase ASEAN culture and the capabilities of its media industry.
* The ASEAN NewsMaker Project, an initiative launched in 2009, trains students and teachers to produce informational video clips about their countries. The project was initiated by Singapore. Students trained in NewsMaker software, video production, together with developing narrative storytelling skills. Dr Soeung Rathchavy, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community noted that: "Raising ASEAN awareness amongst the youth is part and parcel of our efforts to build the ASEAN Community by 2015. Using ICT and the media, our youths in the region will get to know ASEAN better, deepening their understanding and appreciation of the cultures, social traditions and values in ASEAN."<ref>{{Cite web|title = Launch of the ASEAN NewsMaker Project: Students to promote cross-cultural understanding by creating video clips for ASEAN Media Portal, Singapore, 2 June 2009|url = http://www.asean.org/news/asean-statement-communiques/item/launch-of-the-asean-newsmaker-project-students-to-promote-cross-cultural-understanding-by-creating-video-clips-for-asean-media-portal-singapore-2-june-2009|website = asean.org|access-date = 25 August 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150904103519/http://www.asean.org/news/asean-statement-communiques/item/launch-of-the-asean-newsmaker-project-students-to-promote-cross-cultural-understanding-by-creating-video-clips-for-asean-media-portal-singapore-2-june-2009|archive-date = 4 September 2015}}</ref>
* The ASEAN Digital Broadcasting Meeting, is an annual forum for ASEAN members to set digital television (DTV) standards and policies, and to discuss progress in the implementation of the blueprint from analogue to digital TV broadcasting by 2020. During the 11th ASEAN Digital Broadcasting Meeting<ref>{{cite web|work=ASEAN Secretariat News|title=11th ASEAN Digital Broadcasting Meeting|url=http://www.asean.org/news/asean-secretariat-news/item/11th-asean-digital-broadcasting-meeting|access-date=1 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530020045/http://www.asean.org/news/asean-secretariat-news/item/11th-asean-digital-broadcasting-meeting|archive-date=30 May 2013}}</ref> members updated the status on DTV implementation and agreed to inform ASEAN members on the ''Guidelines for ASEAN Digital Switchover''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Guidelines for ASEAN Digital Switch-Over|url=http://hq.prd.go.th/engineer/download/Genenal/Guidelines%20for%20ASEAN%20Digital%20Switch-Over_Final.pdf|publisher=ASEAN|access-date=10 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304002205/http://hq.prd.go.th/engineer/download/Genenal/Guidelines%20for%20ASEAN%20Digital%20Switch-Over_Final.pdf|archive-date=4 March 2016}}</ref> An issue was raised around the availability and affordability of [[set-top box]]es (STB), thus ASEAN members were asked to make policies to determine funding for STBs, methods of allocation, subsidies and rebates, and other methods for the allocation of STBs. It was also agreed in the meeting to form a task force to develop STB specifications for [[DVB-T2]] to ensure efficiency.
*The ASEAN Post was launched on 8 August 2017 to commemorate ASEAN's 50th Anniversary. It is an independent regional digital media company that is headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It was founded by former investment banker Rohan Ramakrishnan.

====[[Public broadcasting|National public]]/[[state media|state-owned]] [[radio station|radio]] and [[television station|television network]]s of ASEAN====
* {{flagcountry|Brunei}}: [[Radio Television Brunei]]
* {{flagcountry|Cambodia}}: [[Bayon Television]] and [[National Television of Cambodia]]
* {{flagcountry|Indonesia}}: [[TVRI|Televisi Republik Indonesia]] and [[Radio Republik Indonesia]]
* {{flagcountry|Laos}}: [[Lao National Radio]] and [[Lao National Television]]
* {{flagcountry|Malaysia}}: [[Radio Televisyen Malaysia]]
* {{flagcountry|Myanmar}}: [[Myanmar International]], [[Myanmar National TV|Myanmar National Television]] and [[Myanmar Radio and Television]]
* {{flagcountry|Philippines}}: [[People's Television Network]], [[Radio Philippines Network]], [[Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation]] and [[Presidential Broadcast Service]]
* {{flagcountry|Singapore}}: [[Mediacorp]]
* {{flagcountry|Thailand}}: [[MCOT]], [[National Broadcasting Services of Thailand]], [[Radio Thailand]], [[Channel 5 (Thailand)|Royal Thai Army Radio and Television Station]] and [[Thai Public Broadcasting Service]]
* {{flagcountry|Timor-Leste}}: [[Radio-Televisão Timor Leste]]
* {{flagcountry|Vietnam}}: [[Ho Chi Minh City Television]], [[Vietnam Television]] and [[Voice of Vietnam]]

===Music===
Music 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.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Phataranawik |first1=Phatarawadee |title=Asean's message to the world takes musical flight |url=https://www.nationthailand.com/detail/national/30371538 |access-date=22 June 2019 |work=The Nation |date=22 June 2019 |archive-date=22 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190622013555/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30371538 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Since ASEAN's founding, a number of songs have been written for the regional alliance:

* "[[The ASEAN Way]]", the official regional [[anthem]] of ASEAN. Music by Kittikhun Sodprasert and Sampow Triudom; lyrics by Payom Valaiphatchra.
* "ASEAN Song of Unity" or "[[ASEAN Hymn]]". Music by [[Ryan Cayabyab]].
* "Let Us Move Ahead", an ASEAN song. Composed by Candra Darusman.
* "[[ASEAN Rise]]", ASEAN's 40th anniversary song. Music by [[Dick Lee]]; lyrics by [[Stefanie Sun]].
* "ASEAN Spirit", ASEAN's 50th anniversary song. Composed by Chino Toledo. Lyrics by [[National Artist of the Philippines|National Artist for Literature]], [[Rio Alma]]. Performed by [[Christian Bautista]]; video directed by Joaquin Pedro Valdes.

=== Sports ===
The main sporting event of ASEAN is the Southeast Asian Games, a biennial meet of athletes from the ten member-states. A non-member state Timor-Leste (formerly known as East Timor) is now participating the SEA Games.

==== Games events ====
# [[SEA Games]]
# [[ASEAN University Games]]
# [[ASEAN School Games]]
# [[ASEAN Para Games]]

==== Championships events ====
[[File:National Stadium Bukit Jalil 2014 AFF Suzuki Cup final.jpg|thumb|[[Bukit Jalil National Stadium]] during the second leg of the [[2014 AFF Championship]] final]]
[[File:East Timor-Brunei 8 October 2024 79.jpg|thumb|Team Timor-Leste scoring a goal at the [[2024 ASEAN Championship]]]]
# [[ASEAN Championship|Southeast Asian Football Championship (ASEAN Championship)]] – Since 1996
# [[Southeast Asian Basketball Championship|Southeast Asian Basketball Championship (SEABA Championship)]] – Since 1994
# [[Southeast Asian Shooting Championship]] – Since 1967 - South East Asia Shooting Championship - 46th SEASA in 2025 in {{TPE}} <ref>southeastasiansportsnews.blogspot.com/2018/10/42nd-southeast-asia-seasa-shooting.html</ref> With HKG, TPE and some of JPN and Korea.
# [[Southeast Asian Cricket Championship]] 
# [[Southeast Asian Handball Championship]] 
# [[Southeast Asian Floorball Championships]]
# [[Southeast Asian Hockey Championship]]
# [[Southeast Asian Baseball Championship]]
# [[SEA V.League|Southeast Asian Volleyball Championship (SEA V.League)]] – Since 2019
# [[Southeast Asian Sepaktakraw Championship]] 
# [[Southeast Asian Footvolley Championship]] 
# [[Southeast Asian Youth Athletics Championships]] 
# [[Southeast Asian Swimming Championships]] 
# [[Southeast Asian Gymnastics Championship]] 
# [[Southeast Asian Cycling Championship]] 
# [[Southeast Asian Shooting Championship]]
# [[Southeast Asian Archery Championship]]
# [[Southeast Asian Sailing Championship]]
# [[Southeast Asian Rowing Championship]]
# [[Southeast Asian Canoeing Championship]]
# [[Southeast Asian Boxing Championship]]
# [[Southeast Asian Fencing Championship]]
# [[Southeast Asian Kurash Championship]]
# [[Southeast Asian Wrestling Championship]]
# [[Southeast Asian Weightlifting Championship]]
# [[Southeast Asian Powerlifting Championship]]
# [[Southeast Asian Bodybuilding Championship]]
# [[Southeast Asian Judo Championship]]
# [[Southeast Asian Jujitsu Championship]]
# [[Southeast Asian Muaythai Championship]]
# [[Southeast Asian Sambo Championship]] 
# [[Southeast Asian Vovinam Championship]] 
# [[Southeast Asian Karate Championship]]
# [[Southeast Asian Taekwondo Championship]]
# [[Southeast Asian Wushu Championship]]
# [[Southeast Asian Pencak Silat Championship]]
# [[Southeast Asian Badminton Championship]]
# [[Southeast Asian Tennis Championship]]
# [[Southeast Asian Table Tennis Championships]]
# [[Southeast Asian Squash Championship]]
# [[Southeast Asian Chess Championship]]
# [[Southeast Asian Triathlon Championship]]
# [[Southeast Asian Golf Championship]] ([[ASEAN PGA Tour]]) – Since 2007
# [[Southeast Asian Esports Championship]]
# [[Southeast Asian Bowling Championship]]
# [[Southeast Asian Cue Sports Championship]]
# [[Southeast Asian Arnis Championship]]
# [[Southeast Asian Chinlone Championship]]
# [[Southeast Asian Contract Bridge Championship]]
# [[Southeast Asian Bowls Championship]]
# [[Southeast Asian Go Championship]]
# [[Southeast Asian Dragon Boat Championship]]
# [[Southeast Asian Obstacle Racing Championship]]
# [[Southeast Asian Polo Championship]]
# [[Southeast Asian Waterskiing Championship]]
# [[Southeast Asian Woodball Championship]]
# [[Southeast Asian Finswimming Championship]]
# [[Southeast Asian Kun Khmer Championship]]

==Global influence and reception==
[[File:P20220512KR-0089-2 (52142897722).jpg|thumb|President [[Joe Biden]] and ASEAN leaders pose for a family photo at the US-ASEAN Summit]]
ASEAN has been credited by many as among the world's most influential organisations and a global powerhouse.<ref name="aseanvisa">{{cite web |date=June 2016 |title=This is why ASEAN needs a common visa |url=https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2016/06/asean-one-visa-travel-destination/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190625002815/https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2016/06/asean-one-visa-travel-destination/ |archive-date=25 June 2019 |access-date=18 March 2018 |website=World Economic Forum}}</ref><ref name="aseanblock">{{cite web |title=ASEAN bloc must be tapped |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/opinion/asean-bloc-must-be-tapped/news-story/59d00e4f65a6084f4be157ee95da3534 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200424002421/https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/opinion/asean-bloc-must-be-tapped/news-story/59d00e4f65a6084f4be157ee95da3534 |archive-date=24 April 2020 |access-date=18 March 2018 |website=theaustralian.com.au}}</ref> The organisation plays a prominent role in regional and international diplomacy, politics, security, economy and trade.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lee |first1=Sze Ming |title=ASEAN in the Changing Asia Pacific Security Order |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/326208056 |date=5 July 2018 |access-date=17 September 2018 |archive-date=30 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930053351/https://www.researchgate.net/publication/326208056_ASEAN_in_the_Changing_Asia_Pacific_Security_Order |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="jstor.org">{{cite journal|title=Asean's Pivotal Role in Asian-Pacific Regional Cooperation|journal = Global Governance|volume = 3|issue = 3|last1=Haas|first1=Michael|date=1997|pages=329–348|jstor = 27800175|doi = 10.1163/19426720-00303009}}</ref><ref name="aseansummit2">{{cite news|url= https://www.untvweb.com/news/world-leaders-praised-the-philippines-on-how-it-hosted-the-asean-summit/|title= World leaders praised the Philippines on how it hosted the ASEAN Summit|publisher= UNTV News|work= untvweb.com|access-date= 7 December 2017|archive-date= 15 June 2018|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180615222947/https://www.untvweb.com/news/world-leaders-praised-the-philippines-on-how-it-hosted-the-asean-summit/}}</ref><ref name="news.teletrader.com">{{cite news|url=https://news.teletrader.com/russia-supports-increasing-aseans-global-influence/news/details/37150210?culture=en-Inter|title=Russia supports increasing ASEAN's global influence|website=news.teletrader.com}}{{Dead link|date=September 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= https://asean.org/?static_post=the-world-to-come-asean-s-political-and-economic-prospects-in-the-new-century |title= The World to Come: ASEAN's Political and Economic Prospects in the New Century |website= asean.org |access-date= 29 November 2018 |archive-date= 30 September 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200930053320/https://asean.org/?static_post=the-world-to-come-asean-s-political-and-economic-prospects-in-the-new-century |url-status= live }}</ref><ref name="siiaonline.org">{{cite web|url=http://www.siiaonline.org/|title=Singapore Institute of International Affairs {{!}} A think tank for thinking people|website=siiaonline.org|access-date=26 November 2017|archive-date=2 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171202011313/http://www.siiaonline.org/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title= What Are the Opportunities for ASEAN? |url= https://insights.som.yale.edu/insights/what-are-the-opportunities-for-asean |website= Yale Insights |date= 14 July 2017 |access-date= 17 September 2018 |archive-date= 30 September 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200930053341/https://insights.som.yale.edu/insights/what-are-the-opportunities-for-asean |url-status= live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=ASEAN, an important regional and global partner |url=https://english.vov.vn/politics/asean-an-important-regional-and-global-partner-355925.vov |work=VOV.vn |date=5 August 2017 |access-date=17 September 2018 |archive-date=7 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007011541/http://english.vov.vn/politics/asean-an-important-regional-and-global-partner-355925.vov |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="ASEAN's rise in the global economy">{{cite news|url=https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2013/03/aseans-rise-in-the-global-economy/|title=ASEAN's rise in the global economy|work=World Economic Forum|access-date=17 September 2018|archive-date=30 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930053356/https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2013/03/aseans-rise-in-the-global-economy/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Canberra">{{Cite web|url=https://www.pecc.org/resources/regional-cooperation/601-back-to-canberra-founding-apec/file|title=The Evolution of PECC: The First 25 Years, chapter 5: Back to Canberra: Founding APEC|last=Elek|first=Andrew|date=30 September 2005|via=pecc.org|access-date=16 September 2018|archive-date=29 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160329012108/https://www.pecc.org/resources/regional-cooperation/601-back-to-canberra-founding-apec/file|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="mea.gov.in">{{Cite news |url= http://mea.gov.in/aseanindia/about-eas.htm |title= India at the East Asia Summit |date= August 2018 |work= mea.gov.in |publisher= Ministry of External Affairs, India |access-date= 21 February 2019 |archive-date= 23 February 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190223233245/http://www.mea.gov.in/aseanindia/about-eas.htm |url-status= live }}</ref><ref name="Conclusion for RCEP" />{{Excessive citations inline|date=February 2021}} The [[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 [[Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation|APEC]], [[East Asia Summit|EAS]] and [[Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership|RCEP]].<ref name="mea.gov.in" /><ref name="ReferenceD">{{cite news|url=http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2016/02/06/trade-agreements-are-in-aseans-best-interests/|title=Trade agreements are in ASEAN's best interests|date=6 February 2016|work=EastAsiaForum.org|access-date=17 September 2018|archive-date=9 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190309091059/http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2016/02/06/trade-agreements-are-in-aseans-best-interests/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=ASEAN's role in Asia Pacific: In the driver's seat or just a back-seat driver? |url=https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1026&context=ami |website=smu.edu.sg |last=Devare |first=Sudhir |publisher=[[Singapore Management University]] |access-date=17 September 2018 |archive-date=17 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917181851/https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1026&context=ami |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=History |url=https://www.apec.org/About-Us/About-APEC/History |website=apec.org |access-date=17 September 2018 |archive-date=4 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190304034820/http://apec.org/About-Us/About-APEC/History |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Canberra" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.aseanbriefing.com/news/2014/02/13/understanding-aseans-free-trade-agreements.html|title=Understanding ASEAN free trade agreements|work=aseanbriefing.com|access-date=16 September 2018|archive-date=27 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127035750/https://www.aseanbriefing.com/news/2014/02/13/understanding-aseans-free-trade-agreements.html|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Excessive citations inline|date=February 2021}} Being one of the world's forefront political, economic and security meetings, the [[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.<ref name="aseanroadmap">{{cite book|title=Roadmap to an Asean Economic Community| first= Denis | last= Hew|publisher= Institute of Southeast Asian Studies|year=2005|isbn= 978-981-230-347-9}}</ref><ref name="manilasummit">{{cite web | url= http://m.philstar.com/782974/show/7eb7803727e8504defe21782560fab71/? | title= World leaders in Manila: Key events at ASEAN | work= The Philippine Star | via= philstar.com | access-date= 5 March 2018 | archive-date= 1 December 2017 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171201035820/http://m.philstar.com/782974/show/7eb7803727e8504defe21782560fab71/ }}</ref>

Critics have charged ASEAN with weakly promoting human rights and democracy, particularly in junta-led Myanmar.<ref>{{cite news|title=ADB president calls for building Asian economic integration |url= http://peacejournalism.com/ReadArticle.asp?ArticleID=16729 |publisher= Peace Journalism |date=3 January 2007 |work= peacejournalism.com |access-date=3 April 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717061741/http://peacejournalism.com/ReadArticle.asp?ArticleID=16729 |archive-date= 17 July 2011 }}</ref> Some scholars think that non-interference has hindered ASEAN efforts to handle the Myanmar issue, human rights abuse, and haze pollution in the area. Despite 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.<ref>{{cite news |title= Japan Cancels Burma Grant |url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iy-MfhLN9Q7MwtQ1VlrvexLjr2dAD8SA9CS00 |via=Associated Press |date=17 October 2007 |access-date=18 October 2007 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071114032051/http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iy-MfhLN9Q7MwtQ1VlrvexLjr2dAD8SA9CS00| archive-date= 14 November 2007}}</ref> This has caused concern as the European Union has refused to conduct free trade negotiations at a regional level for these political reasons.<ref>{{cite news|title=Burma an Issue in Asean-EU Trade Talks |url=http://www.irrawaddy.org/aviewer.asp?a=6693&z=163 |first=Sai |last=Silp | work= The Irawaddy News Magazine Online Edition |via= irrawaddy.org |date=15 February 2007 |access-date=4 March 2007 }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot= medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> During a UN vote against the ethnic cleansing of [[Rohingya]], most member states voted to either abstain or against the condemnation. Only the Muslim-majority countries Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei voted to condemn the cleansing of Rohingya.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/11/18/1760042/philippines-wont-join-un-condemnation-attacks-rohingya|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171225163157/http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/11/18/1760042/philippines-wont-join-un-condemnation-attacks-rohingya|archive-date=2017-12-25|title=Philippines won't join UN condemnation of attacks on Rohingya|date=2017-11-18|work= philstar.com|access-date=16 April 2018}}</ref> Some international observers view ASEAN as a "talk shop",<ref>{{cite news |title=Malaysian foreign minister says ASEAN is no 'talk shop'|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0WDQ/is_2005_Dec_5/ai_n15900039 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012193523/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0WDQ/is_2005_Dec_5/ai_n15900039 |archive-date=12 October 2007 |date=5 December 2005 |access-date=6 March 2007 | work=Asian Political News}}</ref> stating that the organisation is: "big on words, but small on action".<ref>{{cite news |title=BBC Country/International Organisation Profile: Association of Southeast Asian Nations |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/country_profiles/4114415.stm |work=BBC News |date=11 January 2007 |access-date=6 March 2007 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070315215944/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/country_profiles/4114415.stm| archive-date= 15 March 2007 | url-status=live}}</ref> "ASEAN policies have proven to be mostly rhetoric, rather than actual implementation", according to Pokpong Lawansiri, a Bangkok-based independent analyst of ASEAN. "It has been noted that less than 50% of ASEAN agreements are actually implemented, while ASEAN holds more than six hundred meetings annually".<ref>{{cite web |last=McLean |first=John |url=http://development.asia/issue03/cover-03.asp |title=Will ASEAN's New Charter Bring Greater Cooperation? |work= Development Asia |publisher=Asian Development Bank | access-date=25 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706085143/http://development.asia/issue03/cover-03.asp |archive-date= 6 July 2011 }}</ref>

The head of the [[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. He also asserts that, without an external threat to rally against after the [[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.<ref>{{cite news|last1= Huxley|first1=Tim|title=ASEAN's Mixed Bag|url=http://apac2020.thediplomat.com/feature/asean%E2%80%99s-mixed-bag/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120828143320/http://apac2020.thediplomat.com/feature/asean%E2%80%99s-mixed-bag/|archive-date=2012-08-28|access-date=11 February 2015|work=The Diplomat|date=2010}}</ref> During the 12th ASEAN Summit in [[Metro Cebu|Cebu]], several activist groups staged [[anti-globalisation]] protests,<ref>{{cite news |title=About 100 militants stage protest vs Asean Summit in Cebu |url=http://www.gmanews.tv/video/3465/About-100-militants-stage-protest-vs-Asean-Summit-in-Cebu |website=[[GMANews.tv]] |date=13 January 2007 |access-date=6 March 2007 |archive-date=30 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930053350/https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/video/24oras/3465/about-100-militants-stage-protest-vs-asean-summit-in-cebu/video/ |url-status=live }}</ref> arguing that the agenda of economic integration would negatively affect industries in the Philippines and would deprive thousands of Filipinos of their jobs.<ref name="KMU">{{cite news|url=http://www.kilusangmayouno.org/asean-protests-cebu-will-also-underscore-massive-opposition-charter-change |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071009121459/http://www.kilusangmayouno.org/asean-protests-cebu-will-also-underscore-massive-opposition-charter-change |archive-date=9 October 2007 |title=ASEAN protests in Cebu will also underscore massive opposition to Charter Change |publisher= Kilusang Mayo Uno |via= kilusangmayouno.org |url-status=usurped |date=7 December 2006 }}</ref>

Corruption remains a widespread issue, as "tea money" remains an important requirement to grease business transactions and to receive public services. Following the release of the ''[[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."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://investvine.com/corruption-still-widespread-in-southeast-asia/|title=Corruption still widespread in Southeast Asia|last=Maierbrugger|first=Arno|website=Investvine.com|access-date=3 March 2016|date=30 January 2016|archive-date=30 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930053324/http://investvine.com/corruption-still-widespread-in-southeast-asia/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Economic integration===
The group's integration plan has raised concerns, in particular, the 2015 deadline. Business and economy experts who attended the Lippo-UPH Dialogue in [[Naypyidaw]] cited unresolved issues relating to aviation, agriculture, and human resources.<ref>{{cite news|last1=K.|first1=Reid|title=Southeast Asia is Not Ready for AEC|url=http://www.investasian.com/2015/01/27/southeast-asia-not-ready-aec/|access-date=10 February 2015|work=InvestAsian|date=27 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150207161612/http://www.investasian.com/2015/01/27/southeast-asia-not-ready-aec/|archive-date=7 February 2015}}</ref> Some panelists, among them, [[Kishore Mahbubani]], warned against high expectations at the onset. He 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."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/global-filipino/world/06/10/13/asean-people-unaware-2015-economic-integration |title=ASEAN people unaware of 2015 economic integration |work=ABS-CBNNews.com |via=Reuters |date=10 June 2013 |access-date=1 December 2014 |archive-date=30 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930053324/https://news.abs-cbn.com/global-filipino/world/06/10/13/asean-people-unaware-2015-economic-integration |url-status=live }}</ref>

Some panelists enumerated other matters to be dealt with for a successful launch. Among 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. Former Philippine [[Philippine Statistics Authority|National Statistical Coordination Board]] (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. According to Virola, the Philippines continues to lag behind in terms of employment rate, tourism, life expectancy, and cellular subscriptions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rappler.com/business/economy-watch/12203-ph-may-not-ready-to-benefit-from-asean-integration-expert|title=PH may not be ready for ASEAN integration – expert|work=Rappler.com|date=11 September 2012 |access-date=14 June 2015|archive-date=19 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170619224002/http://www.rappler.com/business/economy-watch/12203-ph-may-not-ready-to-benefit-from-asean-integration-expert|url-status=live}}</ref> Nestor Tan, head of [[BDO Unibank|BDO Unibank Inc.]], 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. Tan 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.<ref name="PhilStar">{{cite news |url=http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2014/04/24/1315836/news-analysis-asean-economic-integration-2015-draws-conflicting-views |title=News Analysis: ASEAN economic integration in 2015 draws conflicting views in Phl |work=[[The Philippine Star]] |date=24 April 2014 |access-date=24 November 2014 |archive-date=30 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930053409/https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2014/04/24/1315836/news-analysis-asean-economic-integration-2015-draws-conflicting-views-phl |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Standard & Poor's]] also believed that banks in the Philippines are not yet prepared for the tougher competition that would result from the integration. In 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.<ref name="PhilStar" />

The [[US Chamber of Commerce]] has highlighted widespread concern that the much-anticipated AEC could not be launched by the 2015 deadline.<ref name="AmCham">{{cite book|last1=McNutt|first1=Thomas H|title=ASEAN Business Outlook Survey 2015|date=2014|publisher=US Chamber of Commerce|location=Singapore|pages=56|url=https://www.uschamber.com/sites/default/files/asean_business_outlook_survey_2015.pdf|access-date=10 February 2015|archive-date=30 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930053352/https://www.uschamber.com/sites/default/files/asean_business_outlook_survey_2015.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> In 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]] (FDI)".<ref name="EAF-20140131">{{cite news|last1=Severino|first1=Rodolfo C|title=Let's be honest about what ASEAN can and cannot do|url=http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2014/01/31/lets-be-honest-about-what-asean-can-and-cannot-do/|access-date=10 May 2015|work=East Asia Forum|date=31 January 2014|archive-date=30 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930053359/https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2014/01/31/lets-be-honest-about-what-asean-can-and-cannot-do/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2012, the commencement of the AEC was postponed to 31 December 2015 from the original plan of 1 January. Despite 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.<ref name="Xianbai">{{cite news|last1=Xianbai|first1=Ji|title=Why the ASEAN Economic Community Will Struggle|url=https://thediplomat.com/2014/09/why-the-asean-economic-community-will-struggle/|access-date=12 May 2015|work=The Diplomat|date=24 September 2014|archive-date=9 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150509232716/https://thediplomat.com/2014/09/why-the-asean-economic-community-will-struggle/|url-status=live}}</ref>

An article published by ''[[Vietnam News]]'' echoed some of the challenges and opportunities that Vietnam faces in preparation for the AEC. The article said that the deputy head of the [[Ministry of Industry and Trade (Vietnam)|Ministry of Industry and Trade]], Tran Thanh Hai, was concerned about local enterprises' lack of knowledge of the AEC. It 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. The 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.<ref name="Movetoasia">{{cite web|url=https://movetoasia.com/en/vietnam/sourcing-manufacturing/|title=Import-Export Department|work=Movetoasia|access-date=10 July 2020|archive-date=30 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930053403/https://movetoasia.com/en/vietnam/sourcing-manufacturing/|url-status=live}}</ref> Another 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.<ref>{{cite news|title=New ASEAN community offers export opportunities|url=http://vietnamnews.vn/economy/253874/new-asean-community-offers-export-opportunities.html|access-date=12 May 2015|work=Vietnam News|date=19 April 2014|archive-date=30 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930053347/https://vietnamnews.vn/economy/253874/new-asean-community-offers-export-opportunities.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Asian Development Bank]] also has doubts about Cambodia's ability to meet the AEC deadline. The 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.<ref name="Maierbrugger">{{cite news|last1=Maierbrugger|first1=Arno|title=Cambodia May Miss Date For ASEAN Economic Community|url=http://investvine.com/cambodia-may-miss-date-for-asean-economic-community/|access-date=12 May 2015|work=Investvine|date=1 October 2014|archive-date=4 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904103518/http://investvine.com/cambodia-may-miss-date-for-asean-economic-community/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Despite an ASEAN Economic Community goal of significant economic integration as laid out in the AEC Blueprint 2025, ASEAN continues to face challenges towards integration.<ref>"[https://www.asean.org/storage/2016/03/AECBP_2025r_FINAL.pdf AEC Blueprint 2025] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930053407/https://www.asean.org/storage/2016/03/AECBP_2025r_FINAL.pdf |date=30 September 2020 }}," ''The ASEAN Secretariat,'' November 2015. Retrieved 24 June 2019.</ref> A 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. The 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.asiantradecentre.org/talkingtrade/tackling-non-tariff-barriers-in-asean|title=Tackling Non-Tariff Barriers in ASEAN|website=Asian Trade Centre|date=25 June 2019|access-date=2019-06-25|archive-date=30 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930053329/http://asiantradecentre.org/talkingtrade/tackling-non-tariff-barriers-in-asean|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>"[https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/63371b_6d469e4b28ec472c8da54c1d86f7edc9.pdf Non-tariff barriers in ASEAN and their elimination from a business perspective] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930053329/https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/63371b_6d469e4b28ec472c8da54c1d86f7edc9.pdf |date=30 September 2020 }}," ''The Asian Trade Centre'', 2019. Retrieved 24 June 2019.</ref>

==Security==
[[File:ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise 2023 completed their Sea Phase on 8 May 2023.jpg|thumb|Greeting between two naval fleets in the [[South China Sea]] during the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise, 8 May 2023]]
ASEAN is recognised by its members to be one of the main forums to discuss security issues; based on the principles in its [[ASEAN Charter|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".<ref>{{Cite web|last=ASEAN|date=2008|title=The ASEAN Charter|url=https://asean.org/storage/images/archive/publications/ASEAN-Charter.pdf|access-date=30 May 2021|archive-date=28 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191228203249/https://asean.org/storage/images/archive/publications/ASEAN-Charter.pdf}}</ref> Accordingly, ASEAN has embraced the idea of cooperative security<ref>{{Cite book|last=Nasu|first=Hitoshi|title=The legal authority of ASEAN as a security institution|date=2019|others=Rob McLaughlin, Donald Rothwell, See Seng Tan|isbn=978-1-108-66951-1|location=Cambridge, United Kingdom|oclc=1100418969}}</ref> 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. Security 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."<ref>{{Cite web|last=ASEAN|date=2009|title=ASEAN Political-Security Community Blueprint|url=https://asean.org/wp-content/uploads/images/archive/5187-18.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160327183749/https://asean.org/wp-content/uploads/images/archive/5187-18.pdf|archive-date=27 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Piracy===
[[Piracy in the Strait of Malacca|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. As highlighted by the [[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."<ref>{{Cite web|last=ReCAAP|date=2020|title=ReCAAP ISC Half Yearly Report 2020|url=https://www.recaap.org/resources/ck/files/reports/half-year/ReCAAP%20ISC%20Half%20Yearly%20Report%202020.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717105841/https://www.recaap.org/resources/ck/files/reports/half-year/ReCAAP%20ISC%20Half%20Yearly%20Report%202020.pdf|archive-date=17 July 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> The 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]], in their Fourteenth Asean Ministerial Meeting On Transnational Crime<ref>{{Cite web|last=ASEAN|date=2020|title=JOINT STATEMENT FOURTEENTH ASEAN MINISTERIAL MEETING ON TRANSNATIONAL CRIME (14th AMMTC)Cohesive and Responsive ASEAN against Transnational Crime|url=https://asean.org/storage/ADOPTED-JOINT-STATEMENT-14TH-AMMTC.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224195106/https://asean.org/storage/ADOPTED-JOINT-STATEMENT-14TH-AMMTC.pdf|archive-date=24 February 2021|url-status=dead}}</ref> the ministers agreed that ASEAN should embrace a greater commitment to strengthen the measures in combating transnational crime in the context of the pandemic. Despite 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]], 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.

Accordingly, 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. This plan is mainly focused in three priorities:<ref>{{Cite web|last=ASEAN|title=ASEAN Regional Forum Work Plan For Maritime Security 2018–2020|url=https://aseanregionalforum.asean.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/ARF-Maritime-Security-Work-Plan-2018-2020.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200524183935/https://aseanregionalforum.asean.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/ARF-Maritime-Security-Work-Plan-2018-2020.pdf|archive-date=24 May 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

# Shared Awareness and exchange of best practices.
# Confidence building measures based on international and regional legal frameworks, arrangements and cooperation.
# Capacity building and enhancing cooperation of maritime law enforcement agencies in the region.

In this sense, spread all over the countries of Southeast Asia, criminal organisations with complex structures pose a challenge to ASEAN's coordination capacity to solve the problem despite the plans created within its institutional framework. Although some measures have been implemented by ASEAN,<ref name="Haward2014">{{Cite journal|last=Haward|first=Marcus|date=2014-07-03|title=Editorial|journal=Australian Journal of Maritime & Ocean Affairs|volume=6|issue=3|pages=117–118|doi=10.1080/18366503.2014.954300|s2cid=220296737|issn=1836-6503}}</ref> still the complexity of the problem requires deep solutions of cooperation that might alter the balance of its framework. The 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".<ref name="Haward2014" /> Additionally, 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".<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Putra|first1=Bama|last2=Darwis|first2=Darwis|last3=Burhanuddin|first3=Burhanuddin|date=March 2019|title=ASEAN Political-Security Community: Challenges of establishing regional security in the Southeast Asia|url=https://www.jois.eu/?488,en_asean-political-security-community-challenges-of-establishing-regional-security-in-the-southeast-asia|journal=Journal of International Studies|volume=12|issue=1|pages=33–49|doi=10.14254/2071-8330.2019/12-1/2|issn=2071-8330|doi-access=free}}</ref>

Nonetheless, the institutional framework and decision-making procedures in ASEAN make difficult to reach agreements on piracy. ASEAN 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 focalised nature of the problem in subregions rather than the whole region. Consequently, this focalisation 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. One 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,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Southgate|first=Laura|date=2015|title=Piracy in the Malacca Strait: Can ASEAN Respond?|work=The Diplomat|url=https://thediplomat.com/2015/07/piracy-in-the-malacca-strait-can-asean-respond/}}</ref> the strait of Malacca, this proposal ended up being enforced by bilateral/sub-regional efforts rather than in the ASEAN framework (see [[ReCAAP]] for further information).<ref>{{Cite book|title=Piracy, maritime terrorism and securing the Malacca Straits|date=2006|publisher=Institute of Southeast Asian Studies|editor=Graham Gerard Ong |isbn=981-230-391-X|location=Singapore|oclc=77502405}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Bhattacharyya|first=Anushree|date=December 2010|title=Understanding Security in Regionalism Framework: ASEAN Maritime Security in Perspective|url=http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09733159.2010.559786|journal=Maritime Affairs:Journal of the National Maritime Foundation of India|volume=6|issue=2|pages=72–89|doi=10.1080/09733159.2010.559786|s2cid=109034519|issn=0973-3159|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Haacke|first=Jürgen|date=September 2009|title=The ASEAN Regional Forum: from dialogue to practical security cooperation?|journal=Cambridge Review of International Affairs|volume=22|issue=3|pages=427–449|doi=10.1080/09557570903104057|s2cid=144870373|issn=0955-7571|doi-access=free}}</ref> &nbsp;The 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. These 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]] approach.<ref name="Andrew2017">{{cite journal|last=Andrew|first=Ivan Mario|date=2017|title=Developing Defence Cooperation in Maintaining ASEAN's Resilience in Managing Conflict and Unconventional Threat|journal=The Journal of Defence and Security|volume=8|pages=14–27 }}</ref>

Consequently, a greater multilateral cooperation has been pushed by the members to solve the piracy challenges on economy, trading and security. Members of the ASEAN, have addressed the necessity for the regional organisation 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. Despite the efforts and plans made by the ASEAN, this organisation is expected to overcome the image of being regarded solely as a forum to discuss security issues. Two possible solutions has been proposed by some member states for this purpose: 1. Promoting relationships with other major actors regionally to overcome the short-time challenges and 2. Rearrange 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".<ref name="Andrew2017" />

=== Future Security Framework ===
In addition to piracy, there are several significant issues facing ASEAN today, including human rights violations, repression, and democratic backsliding. Across 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.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pearson |first=Elaine |date=March 4, 2024 |title="On Human Rights, ASEAN Is Woefully Inadequate and Impotent" |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/03/05/human-rights-asean-woefully-inadequate-and-impotent |access-date=April 24, 2024 |work=Human Rights Watch}}</ref> Myanmar 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 human rights violations against the Rohingya population.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kurlantzick |first=Joshua |date=August 29, 2022 |title="ASEAN's Complete Failure on Myanmar: A Short Overview" |url=https://www.cfr.org/blog/aseans-complete-failure-myanmar-short-overview |access-date=April 28, 2024 |work=Council on Foreign Relations}}</ref>

=== Regional Concerns About Thailand ===
Political instability in Thailand, particularly due to recurring military involvement in government, has raised concerns within ASEAN about regional stability. Since the 2006 coup, Thailand has experienced multiple military interventions in politics, including the 2014 coup led by General Prayuth Chan-ocha, which resulted in nearly a decade of military-backed governance.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Thailand: Military coups and political instability |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-27671037 |website=BBC News |date=23 May 2014 |access-date=28 July 2025}}</ref>

Observers note that Thailand's military dominance has complicated ASEAN's ability to respond cohesively to regional challenges. Domestic instability has at times influenced its foreign policy stance, affecting negotiations on security cooperation and regional humanitarian crises.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Chachavalpongpun |first=Pavin |date=2022 |title=Thailand's Military and ASEAN's Security Dilemma |journal=Asian Survey |volume=62 |issue=4 |pages=601–623 |doi=10.1525/as.2022.62.4.601 |doi-broken-date=27 October 2025 }}</ref>

=== AMNEX ===

The navies of ASEAN member countries participate in the different editions of the [[ASEAN Multilateral Naval Exercise]], or AMNEX.

==See also==
{{Portal|Geography|<!--Eurasia-->|Asia|<!--ASEAN-->|Cambodia|Indonesia|Laos|Malaysia|Myanmar|Philippines|Singapore|Thailand|Timor-Leste|Vietnam}}
{{Div col}}
* [[ASEAN Smart Cities Network]]
* [[ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women]]
* [[ASEAN Common Time]]
* [[ASEAN-India Car Rally 2012]]
* [[ASEAN Sculpture Garden]]
* [[ASEAN Power Grid]]
* [[Secondary language of ASEAN]]
* [[Asian Monetary Unit]]
* [[Asia Pacific Forum]]
* [[International Motor Insurance Card System#Blue card system|Blue card system]] – ASEAN motor insurance scheme
* [[Comprehensive Economic Partnership for East Asia]]
* [[Congress of Southeast Asian Librarians]]
* [[List of ASEAN countries by GDP]]
* [[List of country groupings]]
* [[List of largest trading partners of ASEAN]]
* [[List of multilateral free-trade agreements]]
* [[Mekong-Ganga Cooperation]]
* [[Pan-Asianism]]
* [[Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership]]
* [[Southeast Asia Treaty Organisation]]
{{div col end}}
{{clear}}

==Notes==
{{notelist
| notes =
{{efn
| name = address
| Address: Jalan Sisingamangaraja No.70A, [[Kebayoran Baru]], [[South Jakarta]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=ASEAN Centres & Facilities |url=http://www.asean.org/asean/asean-centres-facilities |website=ASEAN |publisher=Association of Southeast Asian Nations |access-date=16 September 2015 |archive-date=6 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906100841/http://www.asean.org/asean/asean-centres-facilities |url-status=live}}</ref>
}}
}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
{{Library resources box}}
* {{cite book |author=Asian Development Bank Institute |title=ASEAN 2030: Toward a Borderless Economic Community |date=8 March 2016 |publisher=Brookings Institution Press |isbn=9784899740520 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dF0JDAAAQBAJ}}
* Taiwan ASEAN Studies Center; ASEAN Outlook Magazine; May 2013. [http://www.oilseedcrops.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/ASEAN-Outlook-Magazine-June-2013-David-DuByne-Myanmars-Overlooked-Industry-Opportunities-and-Investment-Climate-.pdf Myanmar's Overlooked Industry Opportunities and Investment Climate], {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130828224807/http://www.oilseedcrops.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/ASEAN-Outlook-Magazine-June-2013-David-DuByne-Myanmars-Overlooked-Industry-Opportunities-and-Investment-Climate-.pdf |date=28 August 2013 }}, by David DuByne
* {{Citation |title=ASEAN Community in Figures (ACIF) 2012 |publisher=Association of Southeast Asian Nations |place=Jakarta |year=2012 |isbn=978-602-7643-22-2 |url=http://www.asean.org/images/2013/resources/publication/2013_ACIF_2012%20Mar.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904103519/http://www.asean.org/images/2013/resources/publication/2013_ACIF_2012%20Mar.pdf |archive-date=4 September 2015 }}
* {{Citation |first=Amitav |last=Acharya |author-link=Amitav Acharya |title=Constructing a Security Community in Southeast Asia: ASEAN and the problem of regional order |edition=2nd |publisher=Routledge |place=Abingdon, Oxfordshire/New York |year=2009 |isbn=978-0-415-41428-9|ref=none}}
* {{Citation |first=Allan |last=Collins |title=Building a People-oriented Security Community the ASEAN Way |publisher=Routledge |place=Abingdon, Oxfordshire/New York |year=2013 |isbn=978-0-415-46052-1|ref=none}}
* {{Citation |first=Gerald W. |last=Fry |title=The Association of Southeast Asian Nations |publisher=Chelsea House |place=New York |year=2008 |isbn=978-0-7910-9609-3 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/associationofsou0000fryg |ref=none}}
* {{Citation |editor-first=Yoong  |editor-last=Lee |title=ASEAN Matters! Reflecting on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations |publisher=World Scientific Publishing |place=Singapore |year=2011 |isbn=978-981-4335-06-5|ref=none}}
* {{Citation |editor1-first=Jürgen |editor-last1=Haacke |editor2-first=Noel M. |editor2-last=Morada |title=Cooperative Security in the Asia-Pacific: The ASEAN Regional Forum |publisher=Routledge |place=Abingdon, Oxfordshire/New York |year=2010 |isbn=978-0-415-46052-1|ref=none}}
* Seah, Daniel (2015) [http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=9709226&fileId=S2044251315000016 ''Problems Concerning the International Law-Making Practice of ASEAN''] Asian Journal of International Law (Cambridge University Press)
* {{Citation |first=Rodolfo |last=Severino |title=ASEAN |publisher=ISEAS Publications |place=Singapore |year=2008 |isbn=978-981-230-750-7|ref=none}}
* Amador III J, Teodoro J. (2014), [http://www.rappler.com/world/specials/southeast-asia/asean-journey/47239-asean-community-2015-overview A united region: The ASEAN Community 2015]

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}

'''Organisations'''
* [http://www.asean.org/ ASEAN Secretariat], retrieved 13 March 2007.
* [http://www.aseanregionalforum.org/ ASEAN Regional Forum], retrieved 13 March 2007.
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/country_profiles/4114415.stm BBC Country Profile/ASEAN], retrieved 13 March 2007.

'''[[ASEAN Summit]]s'''
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20141021175031/http://www.asean.org/news/item/24th-asean-summit 24th ASEAN Summit] (archived 21 October 2014)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20141021174933/http://www.asean.org/asean/asean-structure/item/twentythird-asean-summit-bandar-seri-begawan-brunei-darussalam-9-10-october-2013 23rd ASEAN Summit] (archived 21 October 2014)
* [http://www.14thaseansummit.org 14th ASEAN Summit]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071014001035/http://www.13thaseansummit.org.sg/ 13th ASEAN Summit] official site. Retrieved 16 September 2007 (archived 14 October 2007)
* [http://www.12thaseansummit.org.ph 12th ASEAN Summit], retrieved 13 March 2007.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20180621052502/http://11thaseansummit.org.my/ 11th ASEAN Summit (official site)] 12–14 December 2005 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Retrieved 13 March 2007 (archived 21 June 2018)

'''ASEAN organisations'''
* [http://www.asean.org/ ASEAN's official directory of ASEAN organisations]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090807003731/http://www.act.or.th/asean_architect/index.html ASEAN Architect] (archived 7 August 2009)
* [http://www.aseanlawassociation.org/ ASEAN Law Association]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130127084240/http://www.aseanports.com/ ASEAN Ports Association] (archived 27 January 2013)
* [http://www.us-asean.org/ US-ASEAN Business Council]
* [http://www.asean-cn.org/ ASEAN-China Free Trade Area]

'''ASEAN related websites'''
* [http://www.asean.org/communities/asean-economic-community ASEAN Economic Community]
* [https://2009-2017.state.gov/p/eap/regional/asean/ Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN); U.S. State Department]
* [https://aseanstory.com/ ASEAN Story]

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