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 sat down for an exclusive interview with Nikkei Asia, on the sidelines of AMM Retreat 2026 in Cebu, the Philippines, to discuss the region’s evolving landscape under the Philippines’ 2026 Chairship. During the conversation, Dr. Kao provided u
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today met with H.E. Hou Yanqi, the newly-appointed Senior Officials’ Meeting on the Implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (SOM-DOC) Leader of China. The meeting was held in Cebu, Philippines, at the sideli
Deputy Secretary-General for ASEAN Community and Corporate Affairs, H.E. Nararya Soeprapto, met with Ambassador of Japan to ASEAN, H.E. Mr. Yonetani Koji, at the ASEAN Secretariat/ASEAN Headquarters today. The meeting discussed the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) and Japan&#
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today attended the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat (AMM Retreat), held in Cebu, the Philippines. Chaired by the Philippines’ Secretary of Foreign Affairs, and Chair of AMM 2026, H.E. Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, the Retreat discussed ASEAN’s prioritie
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, this evening attended the Opening Ceremony of the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2026, held in Cebu, the Philippines. The event was attended by the First Lady of the Philippines, the Honourable Liza Araneta Marcos, and the Secretary of Tourism of the Philippines,
Manila City, Philippines, 27–28 January 2026 – The 1st Regional Consultation with ASCC Sectoral Bodies on the Baselining and Target-Setting for the ASCC Results Framework was held on 27–28 January 2026 in Manila City, Philippines, and via video conference. The 1st Regional Consultation broug
Today, the ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting took place in Cebu, the Philippines, in preparation for the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat.
The Meeting discussed the Philippines’ Chairship priorities and deliverables to advance ASEAN Community-building and strengthen ASEAN’s external r
Since its establishment in 2013, the ASEAN Youth Organization (AYO) has actively promoted greater understanding and awareness of ASEAN, and has helped advance regional integration through youth development and engagement across the region. Its contribution in fostering cross-cultural collaborations
The Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for Community and Corporate Affairs, H.E. Nararya S Soeprapto, met the Minister for Home Affairs of Australia, the Honourable Tony Burke MP, at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat today. The meeting reaffirmed the long-standing ASEAN–Australia partnershi
At the invitation of H.E. Maria Esperanza Christina Garcia Frasco, Secretary of Tourism of the Republic of the Philippines, Secretary-General of ASEAN, H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, will participate and deliver remarks in the Opening Ceremony of the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2026, in Cebu, the Philippine
