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
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, delivered pre-recorded remarks at the UK-ASEAN Renewable Energy and Interconnection Symposium, held in Jakarta, on 29 July 2026. In his remarks, Dr. Kao highlighted the growing ASEAN-UK partnership in supporting ASEAN’s energy transition throug
JAKARTA, 29 July 2026 – The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) convened the AICHR Consultation on Human Rights Index 2026 in Tangerang, Indonesia. The consultation brought together AICHR Representatives, ASEAN Member States, national human rights institutions, internation
Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today met with regional media in an interface session as part of the 10th ASEAN Media Forum, in Manila, the Philippines. During this interactive session, Dr. Kao outlined ASEAN’s major milestones and key deliverables achieved under the PhilippinesR
Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today delivered the welcoming remarks at the 10th ASEAN Media Forum (AMF), in Manila, the Philippines, bringing together media leaders, policymakers, and academics. Dr. Kao underscored the ASEAN Secretariat’s commitment to working closely with the media to
Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN Political-Security Community, H.E. Dato’ Astanah Abdul Aziz, today met with Minister of Justice of Timor-Leste, H.E. Sérgio de Jesus Fernandes da Costa Hornai, to exchange views on law and legal cooperation in ASEAN, in particular in the areas of law a
Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today met with a delegation from Guangxi Zishan Mining Co., Ltd., at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat. The discussion highlighted the company’s interest in strengthening China–ASEAN cooperation in sustainable mineral resources and energy
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today received a farewell call from the outgoing Ambassador of Switzerland to ASEAN, H.E. Olivier Zehnder, at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat. During the call, Dr. Kao appreciated Ambassador Zehnder’s efforts in strengthening the ASEAN-Switz
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today received a farewell call from the outgoing Ambassador of Belgium to ASEAN, H.E. Frank Leon L. Felix, at the ASEAN Headquarters/ ASEAN Secretariat. During the call, Dr. Kao commended Ambassador Felix for his contributions to advancing cooperation
Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, this afternoon officiated the Opening Ceremony of the Fifth ASEAN Junior Fellowship Programme (AJFP) with the ASEAN Headquarters/ ASEAN Secretariat. The four-week programme, running from 27 July to 21 August 2026, is generously supported by Brunei Darus
Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today welcomed the President of the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), Professor Tetsuya Watanabe, at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat. Both sides discussed ongoing collaboration to support ASEAN’s economic integra
