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 Retreat Session of the 48th ASEAN Summit, in Cebu, the Philippines. During the session, the ASEAN Leaders exchanged views on key regional and international developments, including collective efforts to strengthen regional resi
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today participated in the Plenary Session of the 48th ASEAN Summit, held in Cebu, Philippines. During the meeting, SG Dr. Kao reported on the progress of ASEAN Community-building to the ASEAN Leaders, including developments in advancing the implementat
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, this morning attended the Opening Ceremony of the 48th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings, in Cebu, Philippines. The Opening Ceremony was officiated by H.E. Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., President of the Republic of the Philippines and ASEAN Chair for 2026,
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today met with the Asian Development Bank President (ADB), Masato Kanda, on the margins of the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, the Philippines. The meeting discussed shared commitment to deepening cooperation on climate resilience, connectivity, infrastruct
On the sidelines of the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, the Philippines, Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, engaged with Reuters to discuss ASEAN’s strategic priorities. Amid shifting global landscapes and evolving supply chain uncertainties, Dr. Kao emphasised, among others, ASEAN’s
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today attended the Special Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Summit, in Cebu, the Philippines, witnessing the adoption of the BIMP-EAGA Vision 2035 and reaffirming ASEAN’s commitment to strengthening
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, delivered pre-recorded remarks at the ASEAN–EU Sustainability Summit, held in in Cebu, the Philippines, on 7 May 2026. In his remarks, SG Dr. Kao underscored the importance of strengthening ASEAN–EU cooperation to advance sustainable and inclusive
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today participated in the ASEAN Joint Foreign and Economic Ministers’ Meeting, in Cebu, the Philippines. Co-chaired by H.E. Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines and H.E. Ma. Cristina A. Roque, Secretary of Trade and
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today participated in the 38th ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC) Meeting, in Cebu, the Philippines. SG Dr. Kao briefed the Ministers on key developments in the work of ASEAN, as well as on the functions and operations of the ASEAN Secretariat. The Final
