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
H.E. Thongsavan Phomvihane, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR), will undertake an official visit to the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat, on 4 May 2026.
H.E. Thongsavan will meet with the Secretary-General of ASEAN, H.E.
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, attended a dinner hosted by H.E. Joanna Anderson, Ambassador of New Zealand to ASEAN. The engagement provided an opportunity for both sides to exchange views on cooperation under the ASEAN–New Zealand Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established l
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today received a visit by H.E. Mr. Chatani Eiji, Chair of the Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC), at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat. During their meeting, the two sides underscored the role of fair and competitive markets in supporting A
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today officiated the annual Halalbihalal organised by the ASEAN Secretariat Staff Welfare Committee (SWC). On the occasion, he extended his warm greetings to all staff and conveyed his best wishes following the festive season. He highlighted the gather
Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, today met with Ambassador Sitsangkhom Sisaketh, Permanent Representative of the Lao PDR to ASEAN, to exchange views on ASEAN’s priorities and ongoing regional developments, as well as to discuss preparations for the upcoming Official Visit of H.E. Th
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today delivered remarks at the Launching Ceremony of the Disaster Management Cooperation Project between ASEAN and the People’s Republic of China, at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat. In his remarks, Dr. Kao highlighted the importance of
JAKARTA, 30 April 2026 – Ambassador Lee Chul today presented his Letter of Credence as Ambassador of the Republic of Korea (ROK) to ASEAN to the Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat.
Secretary-General Dr. Kao congratulated Ambassado
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today joined ASEAN Economic Community Council Ministers at the Special AEC Council Meeting, chaired by H.E. Ma. Cristina A. Roque, Secretary of Trade and Industry of the Republic of the Philippines, to chart ASEAN’s path forward amidst pressing globa
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, hosted an One-on-One dinner for H.E. Wang Qing, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to ASEAN. The engagement provided an opportunity for both sides to exchange views on ASEAN–China relations, including the 5th anniversary of the Comprehe
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today met with Deputy Secretary-General for Political Affairs/Political Director in the European External Action Service (EEAS) of the European Union (EU), H.E. Olof Skoog at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat. Both sides discussed the outco
