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, delivered a pre-recorded Special Address at the Opening of the 2025 ASEAN Leadership and Partnership Forum, held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on 25 May 2025. In his message, Dr. Kao underscored the importance of strengthening ASEAN’s economic integratio
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, delivered pre-recorded remarks at the inaugural ASEAN-ROK Think Tank Dialogue on Economic and Trade Policy (AKTD) Conference held in Jeju, Republic of Korea, on 14 May 2025. Dr. Kao underscored the growing importance of bridging research and policy to a
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today delivered pre-recorded remarks at the event on “Unlocking Energy Transition Finance towards Inclusivity and Sustainability in ASEAN,” jointly organised by the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) and the Permanent Mission of Malaysia to ASEAN. The ev
On ASEAN Social Work Day 2025, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, delivered a video message to recognise the invaluable contributions of social workers in building community resilience through their essential services before, during and after disasters.
In his remarks, SG Dr. Kao
At the 69th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) side event, “Care at the Core: ASEAN Leadership in Advancing Gender Equality through the Care Economy,” Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, delivered a video message, in which he highlighted ASEAN’s commitment to address
On the International Women’s Day 2025, Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, delivered a video message on Accelerating Action for Gender Equality. In his message, SG Dr. Kao reaffirmed ASEAN’s commitment to breaking barriers, empowering women, and driving inclusive pr
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, delivered a video message at the Networking Dialogue with the ASEAN Centre for Active Ageing and Innovation (ACAI), held at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat, Jakarta, on 3 March 2025. In his remarks, Dr. Kao congratulated Dr. Somsak Akksilp on
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, delivered a pre-recorded remark at the 9th Huawei ICT Competition APAC Final & Award Ceremony in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on 27 February 2025. In his remark, Dr. Kao underscored that empowering young talents is key to driving ASEAN’s digital trans
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, delivered a video message at the opening of the ASEAN-IPR Regional Conference on Cybersecurity and the Role of Information Technology in Fostering Culture of Peace in ASEAN, which was held in Bangkok, Thailand, on 24-26 February 2025. In his remarks, D
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today delivered pre-recorded remarks at the launching of the ASEAN-UK Symposium on the Development of the ASEAN Creative Economy (ACE) Sustainability Framework, being held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. In his remarks, Dr. Kao emphasised the vital role of
