In anticipating the increased and more diverse demand for ASEAN statistics at both national and regional level, the ASEAN Framework of Cooperation in Statistics (AFCS) was adopted by the ASEAN Heads of Statistical Offices Meeting (AHSOM) and acknowledged by ASEAN leaders at the 17^th ASEAN Summit in 2010. The overall objectives of AFCS are to strengthen organisational framework and statistical capacity of ASEAN Member States (AMS) in order to be able to produce timely and comparable statistics in support of a rule-based ASEAN community.

To implement the AFCS, ASEAN Community Statistical System (ACSS) was established in 2011. It consists of national statistical systems of AMS, and the relevant sectoral bodies under ASEAN Community Council. The current vision of ACSS is to be responsive in providing high quality statistics, with the mission to provide relevant, timely and comparable ASEAN statistics in support of evidence-based policy and decision making and enhance the capacity of ASEAN Member States and ASEAN Secretariat.

The current (2016-2025) ACSS Strategic Plan provides the framework for an effective facilitation, coordination, production, harmonisation, dissemination and communication of ASEAN Statistics. It also charts the mechanism in ensuring sustainable development in the dissemination of statistical information, delivery of statistical information needs, and statistical capacity building.