Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, delivered a pre-recorded video message at the New Frontier in the Care Economy Conference (CARECON) 2025, held in Kuala Lumpur, on 4-6 November 2025. Under the theme “Exploring Models of Sustainable, Inclusive, Responsive, and Equitable Care for ASEAN and the Region” the conference addressed the crucial role of the care economy in advancing sustainable and inclusive growth, promoting gender equality, and strengthening social protection systems across ASEAN. Organised by the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development of Malaysia, with the support of Australia and in collaboration with The Asia Foundation, La Trobe University, UNDP, ESCAP, UN Women, UNFPA, UNICEF, and Kiddocare, the event provided a platform for ASEAN Member States and partners to exchange innovative practices and foster collaboration toward developing sustainable and inclusive care systems. The discussions reaffirmed ASEAN’s commitment to deepening regional cooperation and advancing inclusive and equitable development in line with ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future and its Strategic Plans.
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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, and Cambodia on 30 April 1999, making up what is today the ten Member States of ASEAN.Menu - WHAT WE DO
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 SecretariatÂ
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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.
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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
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