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) by the Founding Fathers of ASEAN: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Brunei Darussalam joined ASEAN on 7 January 1984, followed by Viet Nam on 28 July 1995, Lao PDR and Myanmar on 23 July 1997, Cambodia on 30 April 1999, and Timor-Leste on 26 October 2025 making up what is today the eleven Member States of ASEAN.
ASEAN organs always strive to achieve ASEAN’s goals and objectives, the Secretary-General of ASEAN and the ASEAN Secretariat shall be functioned as coordinating Secretariat to help facilitate effective decision-making withing and amongst ASEAN bodies. In addition, each Member State shall appoint a Permanent Representative to liaise with Secretary-General of ASEAN and the ASEAN Secretariat
ASEAN shall develop friendly relations and mutually beneficial dialogues, cooperation and partnerships with countries and sub-regional, regional and international organisations and institutions. This includes external partners, ASEAN entities, human rights bodies, non-ASEAN Member States Ambassadors to ASEAN, ASEAN committees in third countries and international organisations, as well as international / regional organisations.
The rodmap for an ASEAN Community (2009-2015) was declared by the leaders in 2009. The ASEAN Community, anchored on three community pillars: Political-Security Community, Economic Community, Socio-Cultural Community was launched in 2015. The ASEAN 2025: Forging Ahead Together was introduced in 2015 as a Post-2015 Vision. It comprises the ASEAN Community Vision 2025, the ASEAN Political-Security Community Blueprint 2025, the ASEAN Economic Community Blueprint 2025 and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Blueprint 2025
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) by the Founding Fathers of ASEAN: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Brunei Darussalam joined ASEAN on 7 January 1984, followed by Viet Nam on 28 July 1995, Lao PDR and Myanmar on 23 July 1997, Cambodia on 30 April 1999, and Timor-Leste on 26 October 2025 making up what is today the eleven Member States of ASEAN.
ASEAN organs always strive to achieve ASEAN’s goals and objectives, the Secretary-General of ASEAN and the ASEAN Secretariat shall be functioned as coordinating Secretariat to help facilitate effective decision-making withing and amongst ASEAN bodies. In addition, each Member State shall appoint a Permanent Representative to liaise with Secretary-General of ASEAN and the ASEAN Secretariat
ASEAN shall develop friendly relations and mutually beneficial dialogues, cooperation and partnerships with countries and sub-regional, regional and international organisations and institutions. This includes external partners, ASEAN entities, human rights bodies, non-ASEAN Member States Ambassadors to ASEAN, ASEAN committees in third countries and international organisations, as well as international / regional organisations.
The rodmap for an ASEAN Community (2009-2015) was declared by the leaders in 2009. The ASEAN Community, anchored on three community pillars: Political-Security Community, Economic Community, Socio-Cultural Community was launched in 2015. The ASEAN 2025: Forging Ahead Together was introduced in 2015 as a Post-2015 Vision. It comprises the ASEAN Community Vision 2025, the ASEAN Political-Security Community Blueprint 2025, the ASEAN Economic Community Blueprint 2025 and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Blueprint 2025
On the occasion of his Working Visit to the Republic of the Philippines, Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, attended a dinner hosted by Hon. Ana Marie L. Hernando, Director-General of the ASEAN-Philippines National Secretariat, Department of Foreign Affairs. They discussed a wide range
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today met with Mr. Jose Ma. “Joey” A. Concepcion III, Chair of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) 2026, in Manila, the Philippines, to discuss preparations for the Philippines’ ASEAN-BAC Chairmanship. Dr. Kao emphasised ASEAN-BAC
Jakarta, 28 November 2025 – The 9th ASEAN-Germany Development Partnership Committee (AG-DPC) Meeting, held today at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat, underscored the shared commitment to deepen cooperation for mutual benefit.
The Meeting noted the outcomes of the 47th ASEAN Summit
Following their bilateral meeting, Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr. Kao Kim Hourn joined H.E. Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, for a luncheon where they continued discussions on the Philippines’ priorities as incoming ASEAN Chair in 2026 and reaffirmed commitm
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today met with Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines, H.E. Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, in Manila, during his working visit to the Republic of the Philippines. The meeting focused on ways to advance ASEAN’s priorities under the AS
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, delivered pre-recorded remarks at the 2025 ASEAN–China Greater Bay Area Economic Cooperation Forum in Shenzen, China. In his remark, Dr. Kao highlighted the strong ASEAN–China economic partnership and underscored the importance of the ASEAN-China F
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, this evening attended the dinner hosted by the Philippines’ Department of Social Welfare and Development in Manila, the Philippines. The welcome dinner provided an opportunity for the incoming ASCC Council Chair, the Secretary-General of ASEAN an
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today met with H.E. Rex Gatchalian, Secretary of Social Welfare and Development of the Republic of the Philippines and incoming Chair of the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Council, in Manila, the Philippines. They exchanged views on priorities
TOKYO, 25-27 November 2025 – The ASEAN Secretariat jointly organised the‘ASEAN-Japan Symposium for Promoting Sustainable Agricultural Development in ASEAN: Focusing on Decarbonisation and Digitalisation’ with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan (MAFF Japan) and t
As part of his Working Visit to the Republic of the Philippines, Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today paid a Courtesy Call on H.E. Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., President of the Republic of the Philippines. They discussed key priorities and deliverables as the Philippines prepares to cha
