ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)

Seat of Secretariat Jakarta

Largest city Jakarta

Working language English

Demonym Southeast Asian

Member states 10

Government Regional organisation

Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan

Formation Bangkok Declaration

8 August 1967

Charter 16 December 2008

Area Total 4,464,322 km2

2,772,344 sq mi

Population 577 million (2008 estimate)

Density 129/km2
208/sq mi

GDP (PPP) 2007 estimate

Total US$ 3,431.2 billion

Per capita US$ 5,962

GDP (nominal) 2008 estimate

Total US$ 1,505.7 billion
Per capita $2,609

ASEAN is a geo-political and economic organisation of 10 countries located in Southeast Asia,

which was formed on 8 August 1967 by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines,
Singapore and Thailand. Since then, membership has expanded to include Brunei, Burma
(Myanmar), Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam.

Its aims include the acceleration of growth, social, cultural development among its members, the
protection of the peace and stability of the region, and to provide opportunities for member
countries to discuss differences peacefully

ASEAN member states

Populatio
n Official Head of Head of Membersh
Flag   Country   Capital   Area(km²)   Density   UTC   Currency  
(2008 languages   Government  
unless State   ip date  
noted)  
 Brunei Bandar
January 7,
Darussala Seri 5,765 490,000 65/km² +8 dollar Malay Hassanal Bolkiah
1984
m Begawan

Burma
Naypyida 50,020,00 Than July 23,
(Myanma 676,578 81/km² +6:30 kyat Burmese Thein Sein
w 0 Shwe 1997
r)

Cambodi Phnom 13,388,91 Norodom April 30,

181,035 78/km² +7 riel Khmer Hun Sen
a Penh 0 Sihamoni 1999

230,130,0 +7, +8,+ Susilo Bambang August 8,

Indonesia Jakarta 1,904,569 113/km² rupiah Indonesian
00 9 Yudhoyono 1967

Choumma
Bouasone July 23,
Laos Vientiane 236,800 6,320,000 24/km² +7 kip Lao ly
Bouphavanh 1997
Sayasone

Mizan
Kuala 28,200,00 Najib Abdul August 8,
Malaysia 329,847 72/km² +8 ringgit Malay Zainal
Lumpur 0 Razak 1967
Abidin

92,226,60
Philippine Filipino, Gloria Macapagal- August 8,
Manila 300,000 0 295/km² +8 peso
s English Arroyo 1967
(2007)

Malay,
Chinese Sellapan
Singapore 4,839,400 Lee Hsien August 8,
Singapore 707.1 6,619/km² +8 dollar (Mandarin), Ramanath
City (2007) Loong 1967
English, an
Tamil

63,389,73
Bhumibol Abhisit August 8,
Thailand Bangkok 513,115 0 126/km² +7 baht Thai
Adulyadej Vejjajiva 1967
(2003)

Nguyễn
88,069,00 Nguyễn Tấn July 28,
Vietnam Hanoi 331,690 248/km² +7 đồng Vietnamese Minh
0 Dũng 1995
Triết

Non-member states
ASEAN candidate states

Official Head of Head of

Flag   Country   Capital   Area (km²)   Population(2009)   Density   UTC   Currency  
languages   State   Government  
 Papua
New
English, Queen
Guinea[3][4] Port Sir Michael
462,840 6,732,000 14.5/km² +10 kina Tok Pisin, Elizabet
(observer Moresby Somare
Hiri Motu h II
since
1976) [5]

José
Timor- Portuguese, Xanana
Dili 14,874 1,134,000 76.2/km² +9 dollar Ramos-
Leste[6] Tetum Gusmão
Horta

Policies
ASEAN’s agenda-setting and decision-making processes can be usefully understood in terms of
the so-called Track I and Track II.

Track I refers to the practice of diplomacy among government channels. The participants stand
as representatives of their respective states and reflect the official positions of their governments
during negotiations and discussions. All official decisions are made in Track I. Therefore, "Track
I refers to intergovernmental processes".

Track II differs slightly from Track I, involving civil society groups and other individuals with
various links who work alongside governments. This track enables governments to discuss
controversial issues and test new ideas without making official statements or binding
commitments, and, if necessary, backtrack on positions.
Main participants from the academic community and dependent on government funding for their
academic and policy-relevant activities

ASEAN Summit
The organisation holds meetings, known as the ASEAN Summit, where heads of government of
each member meet to discuss and resolve regional issues, as well as to conduct other meetings
with other countries outside of the bloc with the intention of promoting external relations.

ASEAN Formal Summits

S.No Date Country Host
1st 23–24 February, 1976 Indonesia Bali
2nd 4–5 August, 1977 Malaysia Kuala Lumpur
3rd 14–15 December, 1987 Philippines Manila
4th 27‒29 January, 1992 Singapore Singapore
5th 14‒15 December, 1995 Thailand Bangkok
6th 15‒16 December, 1998 Vietnam Hanoi
7th 5‒6 November, 2001 Brunei Bandar Seri Begawan
8th 4‒5 November, 2002 Cambodia Phnom Penh
9th 7‒8 October, 2003 Indonesia Bali
10th 29‒30 November, 2004 Laos Vientiane
11th 12‒14 December, 2005 Malaysia Kuala Lumpur
12th 11‒14 January, 2007 Philippines Cebu
13th 18‒22 November, 2007 Singapore Singapore
14th 27 February-1 March, 2009
10-11 April 2009 Thailand Cha Am, Hua Hin
 Pattaya
15th 23 October 2009 Thailand Cha Am, Hua Hin
Economic Activities
SEAN has emphasised regional cooperation in the “three pillars” of security, socio-cultural
and economic integration.

ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA)

Signed on 28 January 1992 in Singapore.
Originally 6 members.
Newly joining members of ASEAN are also included in AFTA.

ASEAN Comprehensive Investment Area (ACIA)

To encourage investment in ASEAN countries.

The main principles of the ACIA are as follow

 All industries are to be opened up for investment, with exclusions to be phased out
according to schedules
 National treatment is granted immediately to ASEAN investors with few exclusions
 Elimination of investment impediments
 Streamlining of investment process and procedures
 Enhancing transparency

Free Trade Agreements with Other Countries

ASEAN has concluded free trade agreements with China, Korea, Japan, Australia, New Zealand
and most recently India

Cultural Activities.
The organisation hosts cultural activities in an attempt to further integrate the region. These
include sports and educational activities as well as writing awards.

Also there are list of Heritage parks that are taken care of.

Sports Activities.
 Southeast Asian Games
 ASEAN Para Games.
These games are participated by physically challenged athletes of the 11 countries located
in Southeast Asia.
 Logo of the ASEAN Para Games

Criticism
 Not able to promote human rights and democracy in the junta-led Myanmar.
 Philippines- Loss of jobs & Affecting country’s sovereignty.