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, today participated in the 23rd AEM-ROK Consultation in Manila, the Philippines.
The Meeting discussed the progress of the ASEAN-Korea Free Trade Area (AKFTA) Upgrade negotiations that commenced in 2026. The Meeting also exchanged vie
The Twenty-Third ASEAN Economic Ministers – Republic of Korea (AEM-ROK) Consultation was held on 20 September 2026 in Manila, Philippines. The Consultation was co-chaired by H.E. Ma. Cristina A. Roque, Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry of the Philippines, and H.E. Jung Sung Park,
The Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Economic Community, H.E. Satvinder Singh, attended the 4th AEM-WIPO Consultation Meeting in Manila, Philippines.
The Meeting discussed the progress of the ASEAN-WIPO MoU on Expansion of Cooperation in Specific Areas. The MoU oversees the implem
1. The Fifty-Eighth ASEAN Economic Ministers’ (AEM) Meeting was held on 19 September 2026 in Manila, Philippines. The Meeting, which was chaired by the Philippines under the theme of “Navigating Our Future, Together”, was preceded by a preparatory meeting of the ASEAN Senior Economic Official
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today participated in the 24th AEM–ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) Consultation in Manila, the Philippines.
The Meeting discussed ASEAN-BAC’s policy recommendations on supply chain and trade facilitation, the digital economy, cir
On the sidelines of the 58th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting and Related Meetings in Manila, the Philippines, Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr. Kao Kim Hourn held a bilateral meeting with H.E. Gan Kim Yong, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry of Singapore. They exchanged view
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today participated in the 58th ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) in Manila, the Philippines. The Meeting reaffirmed ASEAN’s commitment to strengthening collective responses to the evolving global and regional economic outlook, including the impacts of t
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, attended the High-Level Luncheon on ASEAN’s Digital Economy in Manila, the Philippines. Ministers, business leaders, and international organisations discussed over lunch partnership opportunities to embrace digital technologies, access regional marke
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today delivered the Opening Remarks at the Business Dialogue on ASEAN’s Digital Economy 2026 in Manila, Philippines. Convened at the sidelines of the 58th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting, the Dialogue brought together policymakers, business l
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today attended the Joint Meeting of the 58th ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) and the 29th ASEAN Investment Area Council Meeting today in Manila, the Philippines.
This Meeting discussed the implementation of the ASEAN Comprehensive Investment Ag
