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
At the invitation of H.E. Mauro Vieira, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federative Republic of Brazil, Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, will undertake a Working Visit to the Federative Republic of Brazil, on 18-21 August 2026. During the Working Visit, Dr. Kao will engage with a wi
Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for Community and Corporate Affairs (DSG CCA), H.E. Nararya S. Soeprapto, opened the High-Level Talk held as part of the 5th ASEAN Junior Fellowship Programme (AJFP) with the ASEAN Secretariat, currently taking place at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat from
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, this morning held a breakfast meeting with the Chargé d’Affaires of the Permanent Mission of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar to ASEAN, Mr. Mang Hau Thang, in Jakarta. They exchanged views on ASEAN’s ongoing efforts to advance ASEAN Community-
Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today participated in the filming of ASEAN’s segment for “Where the Sun Sets and Hope Rises,” a documentary produced by the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF). Conducted at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta, the recordin
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today bade farewell to the outgoing Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to ASEAN, H.E. Sujiro Seam, at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat. During the call, Dr. Kao expressed his appreciation for Ambassador Seam’s efforts in strengthening the
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today received a courtesy visit from Mr. Alexander Feldman, Partner and Co-Chair of Southeast Asia of The Asia Group, at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat. The meeting discussed ASEAN’s economic outlook, regional priorities, and opportunit
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today met with Mr. David Gregosz, Member of the German Parliament (Bundestag), at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat. During the meeting, both sides exchanged views on strengthening cooperation, following the recent conferment of Germany as a Sec
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today officially opened the ASEAN–Japan Centre (AJC) Exhibition, at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat. In his remarks, SG Dr. Kao expressed his appreciation to the AJC for its positive response in becoming the inaugural exhibitor. He also
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
