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Fifty years of trust and cooperation with ASEAN
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F
or over 50 years, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has been a driver of peace among countries in Southeast Asia. While the organization itself is currently well known, most people are still unaware of its purpose, history, member countries and goals.
As its name suggests, ASEAN is a geopolitical and economic organization that aims to accelerate the development and improve the livelihood of people in Southeast Asian countries. ASEAN’s formation on Aug. 8, 1967 was motivated by the founders’ strong mutual desire to create a safe, stable and prosperous Southeast Asia.
The founding of ASEAN was marked by the signing of a declaration known as the Bangkok Declaration or ASEAN Declaration. The five charter members —Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand —were represented by government representatives including Indonesian Foreign Minister, Adam Malik; Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, Tun Abdul Razak; Philippine Foreign Minister, Narciso Ramos; Singaporean Foreign Minister, Sinnathamby Rajaratnam; and Thai Foreign Minister, Thanat Koman.
The ASEAN’s goals as contained within the Bangkok Declaration are five points:
- Accelerating economic growth, progress, social and cultural development in the Southeast Asia region;
- Promoting regional peace and stability;
- Increasing cooperation and helping each other in the economic, social, engineering, science and administration fields;
- Maintaining close cooperation with existing regional and international partnerships;
- Advancing education, training and research in Southeast Asia.
ASEAN also maintains fundamental principles as contained within the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia in 1967. Members must respect the principles and rights of each member country, refrain from interfering in members’ internal matters, settle disputes peacefully, reject the use of force and violence and maintain effective cooperation among ASEAN countries.
Since its formation, ASEAN has collaborated with other regions, including China, Japan and South Korea through the ASEAN+3 partnership. Founded on June 9, 2004, ASEAN+3 was based on the rising energy demands on a regional and international scale. It yielded various programs, including the Oil Stockpiling forum, Oil Market Forum, Energy Security Forum and Natural Gas Forum.
In 2015, ASEAN founded the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) that includes all member states. Through the AEC, ASEAN acts as a giant single market and a production base that allows the flow of goods and services, investment, human resources and even capital.
Currently, there are 10 member states including the five original countries and Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia with Indonesia appointed as the ASEAN Chairman for 2023. Although Timor Leste has been applying for membership since 2011, its official inauguration remains under discussion.
ASEAN Chairmanship of 2023
