Establishment

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was established in 1967 by the five founding members Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Brunei Darussalam then joined in 1984, Viet Nam in 1995, Lao PDR and Myanmar in 1997, and Cambodia in 1999, making up what is today the ten Member States of ASEAN.

Aims and Purposes

ASEAN aims to accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region; to promote regional peace and stability through justice and rule of law; to collaborate more effectively for the greater utilisation of members’ agriculture and industries, the expansion of their trade, the improvement of their transportation and communications facilities and the raising of the living standards of their peoples.

Fundamental Principles

ASEAN Member States have adopted the following fundamental principles in their relations: (i) mutual respect for the independence, sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity, and national identity of all nations; (ii) the right of every State to lead its national existence free from external interference, subversion or coercion; (iii) non-interference in the internal affairs of one another; (iv) settlement of differences or disputes by peaceful manner; and (v) renunciation of the threat or use of force.

ASEAN Charter

The ASEAN Charter, which entered into force on 15 December 2008, provides both legal status and institutional framework for ASEAN. It also codifies ASEAN norms, rules and values; sets clear targets for ASEAN; and presents accountability and compliance.

With the entry into force of the ASEAN Charter, ASEAN will henceforth operate under a new legal framework and establish a number of new organs to boost its community-building process. In effect, the ASEAN Charter has become a legally binding agreement among the 10 ASEAN Member States.
 

Source: ASEAN  | updated in April 2010

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