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, on 10 August 2026, attended a farewell dinner for Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to ASEAN, H.E. Sujiro Seam, held in Jakarta. The dinner was joined by the EU Heads of Mission based in Jakarta. Dr. Kao conveyed his appreciation to Ambassador Suji
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, this afternoon welcomed and engaged with participants from ASEAN Member States taking part in the fifth ASEAN Junior Fellowship Programme with the ASEAN Secretariat (AJFP). During the candid exchange, the 23 junior fellows gained valuable insights into
JAKARTA, 10 August 2026 – A newly-appointed Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to ASEAN, H.E. Redouane Houssaini, presented his Letter of Credence to the Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat today.
Secretary-General Dr. Kao congratula
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today delivered the opening remarks at the Regional Workshop on Humanitarian Mine Action in ASEAN, an event organised by the ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center (ARMAC) with the support of the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining, in Jak
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, this morning met with H.E. Wang Qing, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to ASEAN, over breakfast meeting. Both sides took the opportunity to exchange views on ASEAN–China relations, following up to the outcomes of the 59th ASEAN For
Following the morning festivities of 59th ASEAN Day Celebrations, Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, also received a delegation participating in the ASEAN-Korea Journalists Exchange Programme, organised by the ASEAN-Korea Centre (AKC). The visiting journalists also attended the ASE
Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today participate in the 5th ASEAN-Maybank Scholarship Awarding Ceremony held in conjunction with the 59th ASEAN Day Celebration at the ASEAN Secretariat/ ASEAN Headquarters.
In his remarks, SG Dr. Kao expressed his appreciation to Maybank Found
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The ASEAN Secretariat today held a commemorative ceremony of the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat.
Convened on the sidelines of the 59th ASEAN Day celebrati
JAKARTA, 8 August 2026 — ASEAN today commemorated its 59th Anniversary at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat under the theme, “Navigating Our Future, Together.” The celebration brought together members of the diplomatic community, officials from ASEAN Member States, representatives of A
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today officiated the 59th ASEAN Day Celebrations, at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat. In his welcome remarks, SG Dr. Kao underscored that this year’s commemoration marks three significant milestones in ASEAN’s journey: 1) Timor-Les
