The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

Why in news?

Southeast Asian Foreign Ministers gather in Laos this week for talks on the disputed South China Sea and the conflict in Myanmar.

About ASEAN:

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, was established on 8 August 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand, with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration).

Founding Fathers of ASEAN: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.

Brunei Darussalam joined ASEAN on 7 January 1984, followed by Vietnam on 28 July 1995, Lao PDR and Myanmar on 23 July 1997, and Cambodia on 30 April 1999, making up what is today the ten Member States of ASEAN.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations is a regional organization which was established to promote political and social stability amid rising tensions among the Asia-Pacific’s post-colonial states.

The motto of ASEAN is “One Vision, One Identity, One Community”.

8th August is observed as ASEAN Day.

ASEAN Secretariat – Indonesia, Jakarta.

ASEAN's primary objective was to accelerate economic growth and through that social progress and cultural development.

With some of the fastest growing economies in the world, ASEAN has broadened its objective beyond the economic and social spheres.

India became a sectoral dialogue partner of ASEAN in 1992. Mutual interest led ASEAN to invite India to become its full dialogue partner during the fifth ASEAN Summit in Bangkok in 1995. India also became a member of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in 1996.

1995 – Members signed a deal to create a nuclear-free zone in Southeast Asia.

1997 – Adoption of ASEAN Vision 2020.

2003 – Bali Concord II for the establishment of an ASEAN Community.

2007 – Cebu Declaration, to accelerate the establishment of ASEAN Community by 2015.

2008 – ASEAN Charter comes into force and becomes a legally binding agreement.

2015 – Launch of ASEAN Community.

ASEAN Community is comprised of three pillars:

ASEAN Political-Security Community

ASEAN Economic Community

ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community