Asean

Association south East Asian nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was formed in 1967 by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand to promote political and economic cooperation and regional stability. Brunei joined in 1984, shortly after its independence from the United Kingdom, and Vietnam joined ASEAN as its seventh member in 1995. Laos and Burma were admitted into full membership in July 1997 as ASEAN celebrated its 30th anniversary. Cambodia became ASEANs tenth member in 1999. The ASEAN Declaration in 1967, considered ASEANs founding document, formalized the principles of peace and cooperation to which ASEAN is dedicated. The ASEAN Charter entered into force on 15 December 2008. With the entry into force of the ASEAN Charter, ASEAN established its legal identity as an international organization and took a major step in its community-building process. The ASEAN Community is comprised of three pillars, the Political-Security Community, Economic Community and SocioCultural Community. Each pillar has its own Blueprint approved at the summit level, and, together with the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Strategic Framework and IAI Work Plan Phase II (2009-2015), they form the Roadmap for and ASEAN Community 2009-2015. ASEAN commands far greater influence on Asia-Pacific trade, political, and security issues than its members could achieve individually. This has driven ASEANs community building efforts. This work is based largely on consultation, consensus, and cooperation. U.S. relations with ASEAN have been excellent since its inception. The United States became a Dialogue Partner country of ASEAN in 1977. Dialogue partners meet regularly with ASEAN at the working and senior levels to guide the development of our regional relations. In July 2009, Secretary Clinton signed the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) which has greatly enhanced U.S. political relations with ASEAN. Every year following the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting, ASEAN holds its Post-Ministerial Conference (PMC) to which the Secretary of State is invited. In 1994, ASEAN took the lead in establishing the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), which now has 27 members and meets each year at the ministerial level just after the PMC. On November 15, 2009, President Obama met with ASEAN leaders in Singapore. This was the first meeting ever between a U.S. President and all ten ASEAN leaders. The Presidents meeting has greatly advanced U.S. relations with ASEAN and the East Asia region. David L. Carden is the U.S. Ambassador to the U.S. Mission in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Closing Ceremony Marks the Successful Completion of the 8th China ASEAN Expo and the China ASEAN Business and Investment Summit

Nanning, China, 27 October 2011 After six days of showcasing the best of both regions, the 8th China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) and the 8th China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (CABIS) concluded yesterday with the presentation of Awards to exhibitors, and the handover of the Country of Honour from Malaysia to Myanmar, which will serve as the Country of Honour of the 9th CAEXPO next year. The 8th CAEXPO and CABIS are part of the commemorative programmes marking the 20th Anniversary of China ASEAN relations, as well as one year of the CAFTA and the China-ASEAN Friendship Year. A total of 4,700 booths were constructed from both China and ASEAN Countries, with a total participation of 203,000 visitors including 55,000 trade exhibitors; an increase of 4.6% from the 7th CAEXPO held in 2010. The Expo ended with a total trade volume of USD$1.8 billion and 105 projects signed, an increase of 5.6% and 10.6%, respectively. [Read More]

Overview

ESTABLISHMENT 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, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Brunei Darussalam then joined on 7 January 1984, 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. AIMS AND PURPOSES

As set out in the ASEAN Declaration, the aims and purposes of ASEAN are: 1. To accelerate the economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region through joint endeavours in the spirit of equality and partnership in order to strengthen the foundation for a prosperous and peaceful community of Southeast Asian Nations; 2. To promote regional peace and stability through abiding respect for justice and the rule of law in the relationship among countries of the region and adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter; 3. To promote active collaboration and mutual assistance on matters of common interest in the economic, social, cultural, technical, scientific and administrative fields; 4. To provide assistance to each other in the form of training and research facilities in the educational, professional, technical and administrative spheres; 5. To collaborate more effectively for the greater utilisation of their agriculture and industries, the expansion of their trade, including the study of the problems of international commodity trade, the improvement of their transportation and communications facilities and the raising of the living standards of their peoples; 6. To promote Southeast Asian studies; and 7. To maintain close and beneficial cooperation with existing international and regional organisations with similar aims and purposes, and explore all avenues for even closer cooperation among themselves. FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES In their relations with one another, the ASEAN Member States have adopted the following fundamental principles, as contained in the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) of 1976: 1. Mutual respect for the independence, sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity, and national identity of all nations; 2. The right of every State to lead its national existence free from external interference, subversion or coercion; 3. Non-interference in the internal affairs of one another; 4. Settlement of differences or disputes by peaceful manner; 5. Renunciation of the threat or use of force; and 6. Effective cooperation among themselves.

ASEAN COMMUNITY The ASEAN Vision 2020, adopted by the ASEAN Leaders on the 30th Anniversary of ASEAN, agreed on a shared vision of ASEAN as a concert of Southeast Asian nations, outward looking, living in peace, stability and prosperity, bonded together in partnership in dynamic development and in a community of caring societies. At the 9th ASEAN Summit in 2003, the ASEAN Leaders resolved that an ASEAN Community shall be established. At the 12th ASEAN Summit in January 2007, the Leaders affirmed their strong commitment to accelerate the establishment of an ASEAN Community by 2015 and signed the Cebu Declaration on the Acceleration of the Establishment of an ASEAN Community by 2015. The ASEAN Community is comprised of three pillars, namely the ASEAN PoliticalSecurity Community, ASEAN Economic Community and ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community. Each pillar has its own Blueprint, and, together with the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Strategic Framework and IAI Work Plan Phase II (20092015), they form the Roadmap for and ASEAN Community 2009-2015. ASEAN CHARTER The ASEAN Charter serves as a firm foundation in achieving the ASEAN Community by providing legal status and institutional framework for ASEAN. It also codifies ASEAN norms, rules and values; sets clear targets for ASEAN; and presents accountability and compliance. The ASEAN Charter entered into force on 15 December 2008. A gathering of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers was held at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta to mark this very historic occasion for ASEAN. With the entry into force of the ASEAN Charter, ASEAN will henceforth operate under a new legal framework and establish a number of new organs to boost its community-building process. In effect, the ASEAN Charter has become a legally binding agreement among the 10 ASEAN Member States. Find out more about the ASEAN Charter here.

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

Recent Developments The United States and ASEAN members (Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam) concluded a TIFA in August 2006 and since then have been working to build upon already strong trade and investment ties to further enhance their economic relationship as well as promote ASEAN regional economic integration. The United States intensified its work under the TIFA in 2009, presenting ASEAN senior officials a number of ambitious proposals to be pursued under the TIFA work plan. New agreed-upon work plan items include negotiating agreements on trade facilitation, as well as conducting dialogues on trade finance, trade and environment, and government-business. These new initiatives join the existing set of TIFA work plan items that include cooperation on standards and support for the ASEAN Single Window project. Ambassador Kirk hosted the ASEAN Trade Ministers in May, 2010 for the first U.S.-ASEAN Road Show, with stops in Seattle and Washington, DC. The Road Show brought together Obama Administration officials, members of Congress and ASEAN trade ministers as well as U.S. and ASEAN business representatives to identify business opportunities and to discuss ways to expand U.S.-ASEAN economic cooperation and support ASEAN integration In addition, the United States and ASEAN facilitated the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on trade finance between the Export-Import Bank of the United States and chambers of commerce and business federations from the Philippines, Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia. In March 2011, Assistant USTR Barbara Weisel participated in a Trade and Environment Forum with ASEAN Senior Economic Officials in Singapore that will serve as a foundation for continued discussion of trade and environmental issues under the TIFA. In 2010, USTR also requested the International Trade Commission (ITC) conduct a study on trends in regional integration, export competiveness, and inbound investment. The ITC study analyzes these issues in six industries: 1) computer components; 2) healthcare services, 3) cotton woven apparel, 4) hardwood plywood and flooring, 5) motor vehicle parts, and 6) palm oil. The ITCs final report (USITC Publication 4176) was released in August 2010 and is available here. U.S.-ASEAN Trade Facts With robust economies and a total population of about 600 million people, the ten member countries of the Association of South East Asian Nations represent large and growing markets for U.S. traders and investors. In

2010, as U.S. trade with the region continued to expand, the ASEAN countries collectively became the fourth largest U.S. trading partner, up from fifth place in 2009. Goods The United States goods trade with ASEAN countries totaled $178 billion in 2010. U.S. goods exports in 2010 totaled $70.4 billion, up 31 percent since 2009. U.S. goods imports from ASEAN were $ 107.8 billion in 2010, up 17 percent since 2009. U.S. exports of agricultural products to ASEAN countries totaled $7.6 billion in 2010, up 22.1 percent from 2009. U.S. imports of agricultural products from ASEAN countries totaled $8.6 billion in 2010, up 38.8 percent since 2009. The top five ASEAN export markets in 2010 were Singapore ($29.1 billion), Malaysia ($14 billion), Thailand ($9 billion), Philippines ($7.4 billion), and Indonesia ($6.9 billion). The top 5 ASEAN import suppliers in 2010 were Malaysia ($25.9 billion), Thailand ($22.7 billion), Singapore ($17.5 billion), Indonesia ($16.5 billion), and Vietnam ($14.9 billion). Services Two-way trade in services with ASEAN countries totaled $25 billion in 2009 (latest data available). U.S. services exports in 2009 to ASEAN totaled $15.9 billion, down 2.5 percent from 2008. U.S. services imports from ASEAN were $9.3 billion, down 5.1 percent since 2008. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) U.S. FDI in ASEAN countries totaled $122.9 billion in 2009 (latest data available), down 5.5 percent since 2008. This FDI was led by nonbank holding companies, manufacturing, and finance/insurance sectors. ASEAN countries' FDI in the United States countries totaled $23.9 billion in 2009, up .2 percent since 2008.

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ASEAN
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Association of Southeast Asian Nations ASEAN

[show]

Flag

Emblem

Motto: One Vision, One Identity, One Community[1]

Anthem: The ASEAN Way

The ASEAN Way

Seat of Secretariat

Jakarta

Working language

English[show]

Demonym

Southeast Asian

Member states

10[show]

Leaders

Secretary-General

Surin Pitsuwan

ASEAN Summit

Indonesia[2]

Establishment

Bangkok Declaration

8 August 1967

Charter

16 December 2008

Area

Total

4,479,210.5 km2 2,778,124.7 sq mi

Population

2010 estimate

601 million

Density

135/km2 216/sq mi

GDP (PPP)

2010 estimate

Total

US$ 3,084 billion[3]

Per capita

US$ 5,131

GDP (nominal)

2010 estimate

Total

US$ 1,800 billion

Per capita

$2,995

HDI (2011)

0.742 (high) (61st)

Currency

10[show]

Time zone

ASEAN (UTC+9 to +6:30)

Internet TLD

10[show]

Website asean.org

Calling code

10[show]

If considered as a single entity.

Selected key basic ASEAN indicators

Annual growth 1.6%

Wikisource has original text related to this article: Bangkok Declaration

The Secretariat of ASEAN at Jalan Sisingamangaraja No.70A, South Jakarta, Indonesia.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations,[4] commonly abbreviated ASEAN (

/si.n/ AH-see-

ahn, rarely /zi.n/ AH-zee-ahn),

[5]

[6][7]

is a geo-political and economic organization of ten countries located

in Southeast Asia, which was formed on 8 August 1967 by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.[8] Since then, membership has expanded to include Brunei, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, Laos, andVietnam. Its aims include the acceleration of economic growth, social progress, cultural development among its members, the protection of regional peace and stability, and to provide opportunities for member countries to discuss differences peacefully.[9] ASEAN covers an area of 4.46 million km, 3% of the total land area of Earth, with a population of approximately 600 million people, 8.8% of the world population. In 2010, its combined nominal GDP had grown to US$1.8 trillion.[10] If ASEAN was a single entity, it would rank as the ninth largest economy in the world.

Contents
[hide]

1 History

o o

1.1 Continued expansion 1.2 Environment and democracy

2 The ASEAN way

2.1 Policies

3 Meetings

o o o o o

3.1 ASEAN Summit 3.2 East Asia Summit 3.3 Commemorative summit 3.4 Regional Forum 3.5 Other meetings

3.5.1 Another Three 3.5.2 Asia-Europe Meeting 3.5.3 ASEAN-Russia Summit 3.5.4 ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting

4 Economic Community

o o o o o o o o o

4.1 From CEPT to AEC 4.2 Comprehensive Investment Area 4.3 Trade in Services 4.4 Single Aviation Market 4.5 Free Trade Agreements With Other Countries 4.6 ASEAN six majors 4.7 From CMI to AMRO 4.8 Foreign Direct Investment 4.9 Intra-ASEAN travel

5 Charter 6 Cultural activities

o o o

6.1 S.E.A. Write Award 6.2 ASAIHL 6.3 Heritage Parks

 o o o

6.3.1 List

6.4 Scholarship 6.5 University Network 6.6 Official song

7 Sports

o o o o o

7.1 Southeast Asian Games 7.2 ASEAN Para Games 7.3 FESPIC Games/ Asian Para Games 7.4 Football Championship 7.5 ASEAN 2030 FIFA World Cup bid

8 ASEAN Defense Industry Collaboration 9 Criticism 10 See also 11 Notes 12 External links

[edit]History

See also: List of ASEAN member states ASEAN was preceded by an organisation called the Association of Southeast Asia, commonly called ASA, an alliance consisting of the Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand that was formed in 1961. The bloc itself, however, was established on 8 August 1967, when foreign ministers of five countries Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand met at the Thai Department of Foreign Affairs building in Bangkok and signed the ASEAN Declaration, more commonly known as the Bangkok Declaration. The five foreign ministers Adam Malik of Indonesia, Narciso Ramos of the Philippines, Abdul Razak of Malaysia, S. Rajaratnam of Singapore, and Thanat Khoman of Thailand are considered the organisation's Founding Fathers.[11] The motivations for the birth of ASEAN were so that its members governing elite could concentrate on nation building, the common fear of communism, reduced faith in or mistrust of external powers in the 1960s, and a desire for economic development; not to mention Indonesias ambition to become a regional hegemonthrough regional cooperation and the hope on the part of Malaysia and Singapore to constrain Indonesia and bring it into a more cooperative framework. In 1976, the Melanesian state of Papua New Guinea was accorded observer status.[12] Throughout the 1970s, the organisation embarked on a program of economic cooperation, following the Bali Summit of 1976. This

floundered in the mid-1980s and was only revived around 1991 due to a Thai proposal for a regional free trade area. The bloc grew when Brunei Darussalam became the sixth member on 8 January 1984, barely a week after gaining independence on 1 January.[13]
[edit]Continued

expansion

See also: Enlargement of Association of Southeast Asian Nations On 28 July 1995, Vietnam became the seventh member.[14] Laos and Myanmar (Burma) joined two years later on 23 July 1997.[15] Cambodia was to have joined together with Laos and Burma, but was deferred due to the country's internal political struggle. The country later joined on 30 April 1999, following the stabilisation of its government.[15][16] During the 1990s, the bloc experienced an increase in both membership and drive for further integration. In 1990, Malaysia proposed the creation of an East Asia Economic Caucus[17] comprising the then members of ASEAN as well as the People's Republic of China, Japan, and South Korea, with the intention of counterbalancing the growing influence of the United States in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation(APEC) and in the Asian region as a whole.[18][19] This proposal failed, however, because of heavy opposition from the United States and Japan.[18][20] Despite this failure, member states continued to work for further integration and ASEAN Plus Three was created in 1997. In 1992, the Common Effective Preferential Tariff (CEPT) scheme was signed as a schedule for phasing tariffs and as a goal to increase theregions competitive advantage as a production base geared for the world market. This law would act as the framework for the ASEAN Free Trade Area. After the East Asian Financial Crisis of 1997, a revival of the Malaysian proposal was established in Chiang Mai, known as theChiang Mai Initiative, which calls for better integration between the economies of ASEAN as well as the ASEAN Plus Three countries (China, Japan, and South Korea).[21] Aside from improving each member state's economies, the bloc also focused on peace and stability in the region. On 15 December 1995, theSoutheast Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty was signed with the intention of turning Southeast Asia into a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone. The treaty took effect on 28 March 1997 after all but one of the member states have ratified it. It became fully effective on 21 June 2001, after the Philippines ratified it, effectively banning all nuclear weapons in the region.[22]

Satellite image of the 2006 haze overBorneo

Early 2011, East Timor plans to submit a letter of application to the ASEAN Secretariat in Indonesia to be the eleventh member of ASEAN at the summit in Jakarta. Indonesia has shown a warm welcome to East Timor.[23][24][25]
[edit]Environment

and democracy

At the turn of the 21st century, issues shifted to involve a more environmental perspective. The organisation started to discuss environmental agreements. These included the signing of theASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution in 2002 as an attempt to control haze pollution in Southeast Asia.[26] Unfortunately, this was unsuccessful due to the outbreaks of the2005 Malaysian haze and the 2006 Southeast Asian haze. Other environmental treaties introduced by the organisation include the Cebu Declaration on East Asian Energy Security,[27] the ASEAN Wildlife Enforcement Network (ASEAN-WEN) in 2005,[28] and the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate, both of which are responses to the potential effects of climate change. Climate change is of current interest. Through the Bali Concord II in 2003, ASEAN has subscribed to the notion of democratic peace, which means all member countries believe democratic processes will promote regional peace and stability. Also, the nondemocratic members all agreed that it was something all member states should aspire to.[29] The leaders of each country, particularly Mahathir Mohamad of Malaysia, also felt the need to further integrate the region. Beginning in 1997, the bloc began creating organisations within its framework with the intention of achieving this goal. ASEAN Plus Three was the first of these and was created to improve existing ties with the People's Republic of China, Japan, and South Korea. This was followed by the even largerEast Asia Summit, which included these countries as well as India, Australia, and New Zealand. This new grouping acted as a prerequisite for the planned East Asia Community, which was supposedly patterned after the nowdefunct European Community. The ASEAN Eminent Persons Group was created to study the possible successes and failures of this policy as well as the possibility of drafting an ASEAN Charter.

In 2006, ASEAN was given observer status at the United Nations General Assembly.[30] As a response, the organisation awarded the status of "dialogue partner" to the United Nations.[31] Furthermore, on 23 July that year, Jos Ramos-Horta, then Prime Minister of East Timor, signed a formal request for membership and expected the accession process to last at least five years before the then-observer state became a full member.[32][33] In 2007, ASEAN celebrated its 40th anniversary since its inception, and 30 years of diplomatic relations with the United States.[34] On 26 August 2007, ASEAN stated that it aims to complete all its free trade agreements with China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand by 2013, in line with the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community by 2015.[35][36] In November 2007 the ASEAN members signed the ASEAN Charter, a constitution governing relations among the ASEAN members and establishing ASEAN itself as an international legal entity.[citation needed] During the same year, the Cebu Declaration on East Asian Energy Security was signed in Cebu on 15 January 2007, by ASEAN and the other members of the EAS (Australia, People's Republic of China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea), which promotes energy security by finding energy alternatives to conventional fuels.[citation needed] On 27 February 2009 a Free Trade Agreement with the ASEAN regional block of 10 countries and New Zealand and its close partner Australia was signed, it is estimated that this FTA would boost aggregate GDP across the 12 countries by more than US$48 billion over the period 20002020.[37][38]
[edit]The

ASEAN way

The flags of 10 ASEAN members.

In the 1960s, the push for decolonisation promoted the sovereignty of Indonesia and Malaysia among others. Since nation building is often messy and vulnerable to foreign intervention, the governing elite wanted to be free to implement independent policies with the knowledge that neighbours would refrain from interfering in

their domestic affairs. Territorially small members such as Singapore and Brunei were consciously fearful of force and coercive measures from much bigger neighbours like Indonesia and Malaysia. "Through political dialogue and confidence building, no tension has escalated into armed confrontation among ASEAN member countries since its establishment more than three decades ago".[39] The ASEAN way can be traced back to the signing of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia. "Fundamental principles adopted from this included:

mutual respect for the independence, sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity, and national identity of all nations;

the right of every State to lead its national existence free from external interference, subversion or coercion;

non-interference in the internal affairs of one another; settlement of differences or disputes by peaceful manner; renunciation of the threat or use of force; and effective cooperation among themselves".[40]

On the surface, the process of consultations and consensus is supposed to be a democratic approach to decision making, but the ASEAN process has been managed through close interpersonal contacts among the top leaders only, who often share a reluctance to institutionalise and legalise co-operation which can undermine their regime's control over the conduct of regional co-operation. Thus, the organisation is chaired by the secretariat.[41] All of these features, namely non-interference, informality, minimal institutionalisation, consultation and consensus, non-use of force and non-confrontation have constituted what is called the ASEAN Way. This ASEAN Way has recently proven itself relatively successful in the settlements of disputes by peaceful manner realm, with Chinese and ASEAN officials agreeing to draft guidelines ordered to avert tension in the South China Sea, an important milestone ending almost a decade of deadlock.[42][43] Despite this success, some academics continue to argue that ASEAN's non-interference principle has worsened efforts to improve in the areas of Burma, human rights abuses and haze pollution in the region. Meanwhile, with the consensus-based approach, every member in fact has a veto and decisions are usually reduced to the lowest common denominator. There has been a widespread belief that ASEAN members should have a less rigid view on these two cardinal principles when they wish to be seen as a cohesive and relevant community.
[edit]Policies

Apart from consultations and consensus, ASEANs agenda-setting and decision-making processes can be usefully understood in terms of the so-called Track I and Track II. Track I refers to the practice of diplomacy

among government channels. The participants stand as representatives of their respective states and reflect the official positions of their governments during negotiations and discussions. All official decisions are made in Track I. Therefore, "Track I refers to intergovernmental processes".[44] Track II differs slightly from Track I, involving civil society groups and other individuals with various links who work alongside governments.[45] This track enables governments to discuss controversial issues and test new ideas without making official statements or binding commitments, and, if necessary, backtrack on positions. Although Track II dialogues are sometimes cited as examples of the involvement of civil society in regional decision-making process by governments and other second track actors, NGOs have rarely got access to this track, meanwhile participants from the academic community are a dozen think-tanks. However, these thinktanks are, in most cases, very much linked to their respective governments, and dependent on government funding for their academic and policy-relevant activities, and many working in Track II have previous bureaucratic experience.[44] Their recommendations, especially in economic integration, are often closer to ASEANs decisions than the rest of civil societys positions. The track that acts as a forum for civil society in Southeast Asia is called Track III. Track III participants are generally civil society groups who represent a particular idea or brand.[46] Track III networks claim to represent communities and people who are largely marginalised from political power centres and unable to achieve positive change without outside assistance. This track tries to influence government policies indirectly by lobbying, generating pressure through the media. Third-track actors also organise and/or attend meetings as well as conferences to get access to Track I officials. While Track II meetings and interactions with Track I actors have increased and intensified, rarely has the rest of civil society had the opportunity to interface with Track II. Those with Track I have been even rarer. Looking at the three tracks, it is clear that until now, ASEAN has been run by government officials who, as far as ASEAN matters are concerned, are accountable only to their governments and not the people. In a lecture on the occasion of ASEANs 38th anniversary, the incumbent Indonesian President Dr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono admitted: All the decisions about treaties and free trade areas, about declarations and plans of action, are made by Heads of Government, ministers and senior officials. And the fact that among the masses, there is little knowledge, let alone appreciation, of the large initiatives that ASEAN is taking on their behalf. [47]

[edit]Meetings [edit]ASEAN

Summit

A Billboard in Jakarta welcoming ASEAN Summit 2011 delegates.

The organisation holds meetings, known as the ASEAN Summit, where heads of governmentof each member meet to discuss and resolve regional issues, as well as to conduct other meetings with other countries outside of the bloc with the intention of promoting external relations. The ASEAN Leaders' Formal Summit was first held in Bali, Indonesia in 1976. Its third meeting was held in Manila in 1987 and during this meeting, it was decided that the leaders would meet every five years.[48] Consequently, the fourth meeting was held in Singapore in 1992 where the leaders again agreed to meet more frequently, deciding to hold the summit every three years.[48] In 2001, it was decided to meet annually to address urgent issues affecting the region. Member nations were assigned to be the summit host in alphabetical order except in the case of Burma which dropped its 2006 hosting rights in 2004 due to pressure from the United States and the European Union.[49] By December 2008, the ASEAN Charter came into force and with it, the ASEAN Summit will be held twice in a year. The formal summit meets for three days. The usual itinerary is as follows:

Leaders of member states would hold an internal organisation meeting. Leaders of member states would hold a conference together with foreign ministers of the ASEAN Regional Forum.

A meeting, known as ASEAN Plus Three, is set for leaders of three Dialogue Partners (People's Republic of China, Japan, South Korea)

A separate meeting, known as ASEAN-CER, is set for another set of leaders of two Dialogue Partners (Australia, New Zealand).[citation needed]
ASEAN Formal Summits

No

Date

Country

Host

Host leader

1st

2324 February 1976

Indonesia

Bali

Soeharto

2nd

45 August 1977

Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur

Hussein Onn

3rd

1415 December 1987

Philippines

Manila

Corazon Aquino

4th

2729 January 1992

Singapore

Singapore

Goh Chok Tong

5th

1415 December 1995

Thailand

Bangkok

Banharn Silpa-archa

6th

1516 December 1998

Viet Nam

Hanoi

Phan Vn Khi

7th

56 November 2001

Brunei

Bandar Seri Begawan

Hassanal Bolkiah

8th

45 November 2002

Cambodia

Phnom Penh

Hun Sen

9th

78 October 2003

Indonesia

Bali

Megawati Soekarnoputri

10th

2930 November 2004

Laos

Vientiane

Bounnhang Vorachith

11th

1214 December 2005

Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur

Abdullah Ahmad Badawi

12th

1114 January 2007

Philippines

Cebu

Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

13th

1822 November 2007

Singapore

Singapore

Lee Hsien Loong

14th

27 February 1 March 2009 1011 April 2009

Thailand

Cha Am, Hua Hin Pattaya Abhisit Vejjajiva

15th

23 October 2009

Thailand

Cha Am, Hua Hin

16th

89 April 2010

Viet Nam

Hanoi Nguyn Tn Dng

17th

2831 October 2010

Viet Nam

Hanoi

18th

78 May 2011

Indonesia

Jakarta Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono

19th

1419 November 2011

Indonesia

Bali

Postponed from 1014 December 2006 due to Typhoon Utor.

hosted the summit because Burma backed out due to enormous pressure from US and EU

This summit consisted of two parts. The first part was moved from 1217 December 2008 due to the 2008 Thai political crisis. The second part was aborted on 11 April due to protesters entering the summit venue.

Indonesia proposed a swap with

Brunei as it will play host to APEC (and possibly the G20 meeting) in 2013.

ASEAN Summits held once or twice a year in a same venue/host nation. Example, Indonesia is the host for 2011 ASEAN Summit; all summits, formal or informal this year 2011 must be held in Indonesia. During the fifth Summit in Bangkok, the leaders decided to meet "informally" between each formal summit: [48]
ASEAN Informal Summits

No

Date

Country

Host

Host leader

1st

30 November 1996

Indonesia

Jakarta

Soeharto

2nd

1416 December 1997

Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur

Mahathir Mohamad

3rd

2728 November 1999

Philippines

Manila

Joseph Estrada

4th

2225 November 2000

Singapore

Singapore

Goh Chok Tong

[edit]East

Asia Summit

Participants of the East Asia Summit:

ASEAN

ASEAN Plus Three

Additional members

Observer

Main article: East Asia Summit

The East Asia Summit (EAS) is a pan-Asian forum held annually by the leaders of 16 countries in East Asia and the region, with ASEAN in a leadership position. The summit has discussed issues including trade, energy and security and the summit has a role in regional community building. The members of the summit are all 10 members of ASEAN plus China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand. These nations represent nearly half of the world's population. In October 2010, Russia and the United States were formally invited to participate as full members, with presidents of both countries to attend the 2011 summit.[50] The first summit was held in Kuala Lumpur on 14 December 2005 and subsequent meetings have been held after the annual ASEAN Leaders Meeting.
Meeting Country Location Date Note

First EAS Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur

14 December 2005

Russia attended as a guest.

Second EAS

Philippines Cebu City

15 January 2007

Rescheduled from 13 December 2006.

Cebu Declaration on East Asian Energy Security Third EAS 21 November 2007 Singapore Declaration on Climate Change, Energy and the Environment
[51]

Singapore

Singapore

Agreed to establish Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia

Fourth EAS

Thailand

Chaamand Hua Hin

The date and location of the venue was rescheduled several times, and then a Summit scheduled for 12 April 2009 atPattaya, Thailand was 25 October cancelled when protesters stormed the venue. The Summit has been 2009 [52] rescheduled for October 2009 and transferred again from Phuket to Cha[53] am and Hua Hin. 30 October Officially invited the US and Russia to participate in future EAS as full[54] [50] 2010 fledged members 19 November 2011

Fifth EAS

Viet Nam

Hanoi

Sixth EAS

Indonesia

Bali

The United States and Russia to join the Summit.

[edit]Commemorative

summit

A commemorative summit is a summit hosted by a non-ASEAN country to mark a milestone anniversary of the establishment of relations between ASEAN and the host country. The host country invites the heads of government of ASEAN member countries to discuss future cooperation and partnership.
Meeting Host Location Date Note

ASEAN Japan Commemorative Summit

Japan

Tokyo

11, 12 December 2003

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of relations between ASEAN and Japan. The summit was also notable as the first ASEAN summit held between ASEAN and a non-ASEAN country outside the region.

ASEAN China Commemorative Summit

People's Nanning Republic of China

30, 31 October 2006

To celebrate the 15th anniversary of the establishment of relations between ASEAN and China

ASEAN Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit

South Korea

Jeju-do

1, 2 June 2009

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of relations between ASEAN and Republic of Korea

[edit]Regional

Forum

ASEAN full members ASEAN observers ASEAN candidate members ASEAN Plus Three East Asia Summit ASEAN Regional Forum

The ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) is a formal, official, multilateral dialogue in Asia Pacific region. As of July 2007, it is consisted of 27 participants. ARF objectives are to foster dialogue and consultation, and promote

confidence-building and preventive diplomacy in the region.[55] The ARF met for the first time in 1994. The current participants in the ARF are as follows: all the ASEAN members, Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, the People's Republic of China, the European Union, India, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Mongolia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Russia, East Timor, United States and Sri Lanka. [56] The Republic of China (also known as Taiwan) has been excluded since the establishment of the ARF, and issues regarding the Taiwan Strait are neither discussed at the ARF meetings nor stated in the ARF Chairman's Statements.
[edit]Other

meetings

Aside from the ones above, other regular[57] meetings are also held.[58] These include the annual ASEAN Ministerial Meeting[59] as well as other smaller committees, such as the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center.[60]Meetings mostly focus on specific topics, such as defence[57] or the environment,[57][61] and are attended by Ministers, instead of heads of government.
[edit]Another Three

The ASEAN Plus Three is a meeting between ASEAN, China, Japan, and South Korea, and is primarily held during each ASEAN Summit.
[edit]Asia-Europe Meeting

The Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) is an informal dialogue process initiated in 1996 with the intention of strengthening cooperation between the countries of Europe and Asia, especially members of the European Union and ASEAN in particular.[62] ASEAN, represented by its Secretariat, is one of the 45 ASEM partners. It also appoints a representative to sit on the governing board of Asia-Europe Foundation(ASEF), a socio-cultural organisation associated with the Meeting.
[edit]ASEAN-Russia Summit

The ASEAN-Russia Summit is an annual meeting between leaders of member states and the President of Russia.
[edit]ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting

The 44th annual meeting will be held in Bali on 16 to 23 July 2011. Indonesia will propose a unified ASEAN travel visa to ease travel within the region for citizens of ASEAN member states.[63]
[edit]Economic

Community

ASEAN has emphasised regional cooperation in the three pillars of security, sociocultural and economic integration.[64] The regional grouping has made the most progress in economic integration, aiming to create an ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) by 2015.[65] The average of economic growth of ASEAN-5 during 1989 2009 were Singapore with 6.73 percent, Malaysia 6.15 percent, Indonesia 5.16 percent, Thailand 5.02 percent

and the Philippines 3.79 percent. It were better than average APEC economic growth with 2.83 percent which all of ASEAN countries were included.[66]
[edit]From

CEPT to AEC

A Common Effective Preferential Tariff (CEPT) scheme to promote the free flow of goods within ASEAN lead the ASEAN Free Trade Area(AFTA).[65] The ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) is an agreement by the member nations of ASEAN concerning local manufacturing in all ASEAN countries. The AFTA agreement was signed on 28 January 1992 in Singapore.[67] When the AFTA agreement was originally signed, ASEAN had six members, namely, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Vietnam joined in 1995, Laos and Burma in 1997, and Cambodia in 1999. The latecomers have not fully met the AFTA's obligations, but they are officially considered part of the AFTA as they were required to sign the agreement upon entry into ASEAN, and were given longer time frames in which to meet AFTA's tariff reduction obligations.[68] The next step is ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) with main objectives are to create a:

single market and production base highly competitive economic region region of equitable economic development region fully integrated into the global economy

Since 2007, the ASEAN countries gradually lower their import duties among them and targeted will be zero for most of the import duties at 2015.[69] Since 2011, AEC has agreed to strengten the position and increase the competitive edges of small and medium enterprises (SME) in the ASEAN region.[70] aseanblogger.com has agreed to set up online ASEAN community with aim to raise people's awareness on the issue of AEC by 2015. The content of the portal currently consisted of subjects varying from security to culinary and in the future will also touch tourist sites and local culture.[71]
[edit]Comprehensive

Investment Area

The ASEAN Comprehensive Investment Area (ACIA) will encourage the free flow of investment within ASEAN. The main principles of the ACIA are as follows[72]

All industries are to be opened up for investment, with exclusions to be phased out according to schedules National treatment is granted immediately to ASEAN investors with few exclusions Elimination of investment impediments Streamlining of investment process and procedures

Enhancing transparency Undertaking investment facilitation measures

Full realisation of the ACIA with the removal of temporary exclusion lists in manufacturing agriculture, fisheries, forestry and mining is scheduled by 2010 for most ASEAN members and by 2015 for the CLMV (Cambodia, Lao PDR, Burma, and Vietnam) countries.[72]
[edit]Trade

in Services

An ASEAN Framework Agreement on Trade in Services was adopted at the ASEAN Summit in Bangkok in December 1995.[73] Under AFAS, ASEAN Member States enter into successive rounds of negotiations to liberalise trade in services with the aim of submitting increasingly higher levels of commitments. The negotiations result in commitments that are set forth in schedules of specific commitments annexed to the Framework Agreement. These schedules are often referred to as packages of services commitments. At present, ASEAN has concluded seven packages of commitments under AFAS.[74]
[edit]Single

Aviation Market

The ASEAN Single Aviation Market (SAM), proposed by the ASEAN Air Transport Working Group, supported by the ASEAN Senior Transport Officials Meeting, and endorsed by the ASEAN Transport Ministers, will introduce an open-sky arrangement to the region by 2015.[75] The ASEAN SAM will be expected to fully liberalise air travel between its member states, allowing ASEAN to directly benefit from the growth in air travel around the world, and also freeing up tourism, trade, investment and services flows between member states.[75][76]Beginning 1 December 2008, restrictions on the third and fourth freedoms of the air between capital cities of member states for air passengers services will be removed,[77] while from 1 January 2009, there will be full liberalisation of air freight services in the region, while[75][76] By 1 January 2011, there will be liberalisation of fifth freedom traffic rights between all capital cities.[78]
[edit]Free

Trade Agreements With Other Countries

ASEAN has concluded free trade agreements with China (expecting bilateral trade of $500 billion by 2015),[43] Korea, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and most recently India.[79] The agreement with People's Republic of China created the ASEANChina Free Trade Area (ACFTA), which went into full effect on 1 January 2010. In addition, ASEAN is currently negotiating a free trade agreement with the European Union.[80]Republic of China (Taiwan) has also expressed interest in an agreement with ASEAN but needs to overcome diplomatic objections from China.[81]
[edit]ASEAN

six majors

ASEAN six majors refer to the six largest economies in the area with economies many times larger than the remaining four ASEAN countries. The six majors are: GDP nominal 2010 based on IMF data. The figures in parentheses are GDP PPP.

Indonesia: 695 billions (1,027 billions) Thailand: 312 billions (584 billions) Malaysia: 218 billions (412 billions) Singapore: 217 billions (291 billions) Philippines: 199 billions (373 billions) Vietnam: 101 billions (275 billions)

[edit]From

CMI to AMRO

Due to Asian financial crisis of 1997 to 1998 and long and difficult negotiations with International Monetary Fund, ASEAN+3 agreed to set up a mainly bilateral currency swap scheme known as the 2000 Chiang Mai Initiative (CMI) to anticipate another financial crisis or currency turmoil in the future. In 2006 they agreed to make CMI with multilateralisation and called as CMIM. On 3 May 2009, they agreed to make a currency pool consist of contribution $38.4 billion each by China and Japan, $19.2 billion by South Korea and totally $24 billion by all of ASEAN members, so the total currency pool was $120 billion.[82] A key component has also newly been added, with the establishment of a surveillance unit.[83] The ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic and Research Office (AMRO) will start its operation in Singapore in May 2011.[84] It will perform a key regional surveillance function as part of the $120 billion of Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralisation (CMIM) currency swap facility that was established by Finance Minister and Central Bank Governors of ASEAN countries plus China, Japan and South Korea in December 2009.[85] According to some analysts, the amount of $120 billion is relatively small (cover only about 20 percent of needs), so coordination or help from International Monetary Fund is still needed.[86]
[edit]Foreign

Direct Investment

In 2009, realized Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) was $37.9 billion and increase by two-fold in 2010 to $75.8 billion. 22 percent of FDI came form the European Union, followed by ASEAN countries themselves by 16 percent and then followed by Japan and US. European Union and US has debt problems, while Japan should make tsunami recovery. China who helped Asia lead the global post-2008 recovery still grapples with 3years high inflation. So, in the longterm all of the problems will give negative impact to ASEAN indirectly. There are possibility to push some programs of ASEAN Economic Community before 2015.[87]
[edit]Intra-ASEAN

travel

with free visa among ASEAN countries, a huge intra-ASEAN travel occured and on the right track to establish an ASEAN Community in the years to come. In 2010, 47 percent or 34 million from 73 million tourists were intra-ASEAN travel.[88]

[edit]Charter

Main article: ASEAN Charter On 15 December 2008 the members of ASEAN met in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta to launch a charter, signed in November 2007, with the aim of moving closer to "an EU-style community".[89] The charter turns ASEAN into a legal entity and aims to create a single free-trade area for the region encompassing 500 million people. President of Indonesia Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono stated that "This is a momentous development when ASEAN is consolidating, integrating and transforming itself into a community. It is achieved while ASEAN seeks a more vigorous role in Asian and global affairs at a time when the international system is experiencing a seismic shift," he added, referring to climate change and economic upheaval. Southeast Asia is no longer the bitterly divided, war-torn region it was in the 1960s and 1970s." "The fundamental principles include: a) respect for the independence, sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity and national identity of all ASEAN Member States; b) shared commitment and collective responsibility in enhancing regional peace, security and prosperity; c) renunciation of aggression and of the threat or use of force or other actions in any manner inconsistent with international law; d) reliance on peaceful settlement of disputes; e) non-interference in the internal affairs of ASEAN Member States; f) respect for the right of every Member State to lead its national existence free from external interference, subversion and coercion; g) enhanced consultations on matters seriously affecting the common interest of ASEAN; h) adherence to the rule of law, good governance, the principles of democracy and constitutional government; i) respect for fundamental freedoms, the promotion and protection of human rights, and the promotion of social justice; j) upholding the United Nations Charter and international law, including international humanitarian law, subscribed to by ASEAN Member States; k) abstention from participation in any policy or activity, including the use of its territory, pursued by and ASEAN Member State or non-ASEAN State or any non-State actor, which threatens the sovereignty, territorial integrity or political and economic stability of ASEAN Member States; l) respect for the different cultures, languages and religions of the peoples of ASEAN, while emphasising their common values in the spirit of unity in diversity;

m) the centrality of ASEAN in external political, economic, social and cultural relations while remaining actively engaged, outward-looking, inclusive and non-discriminatory; and n) adherence to multilateral trade rules and ASEAN's rules-based regimes for effective implementation of economic commitments and progressive reduction towards elimination of all barriers to regional economic integration, in a market-driven economy".[90] However, the ongoing global financial crisis was stated as being a threat to the goals envisioned by the charter,[91] and also set forth the idea of a proposed human rights body to be discussed at a future summit in February 2009. This proposition caused controversy, as the body would not have the power to impose sanctions or punish countries who violate citizens' rights and would therefore be limited in effectiveness.[92] The body was established later in 2009 as the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR).
[edit]Cultural

activities

Logo of the S.E.A. Write Award

The organisation hosts cultural activities in an attempt to further integrate the region. These include sports and educational activities as well as writing awards. Examples of these include the ASEAN University Network, theASEAN Centre for Biodiversity, the ASEAN Outstanding Scientist and Technologist Award, and the Singapore-sponsored ASEAN Scholarship.
[edit]S.E.A.

Write Award

The S.E.A. Write Award is a literary award given to Southeast Asian poets and writers annually since 1979. The award is either given for a specific work or as a recognition of an author's lifetime achievement. Works that are honoured vary and have included poetry, short stories, novels, plays, folklore as well as scholarly and religious works. Ceremonies are held in Bangkok and are presided by a member of the Thai royal family.

[edit]ASAIHL

ASAIHL or the Association of Southeast Asian Institutions of Higher Learning is a non-governmental organisation founded in 1956 that strives to strengthen higher learning institutions, espescially in teaching, research, and public service, with the intention of cultivating a sense of regional identity and interdependence.
[edit]Heritage

Parks

ASEAN Heritage Parks[93] is a list of nature parks launched 1984 and relaunched in 2004. It aims to protect the region's natural treasures. There are now 35 such protected areas, including the Tubbataha Reef Marine Park and the Kinabalu National Park.[94]
[edit]List ASEAN Heritage Sites

Site

Country

Site

Country

Alaungdaw Kathapa National Park

Burma

Ao Phang-nga Marine National Park

Thailand

Apo Natural Park

Philippines

Imperial City, Hu

Vietnam

Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park

Indonesia

Gunung Leuser National Park

Indonesia

Gunung Mulu National Park

Malaysia

Ha Long Bay

Vietnam

Hoi An Ancient Town

Vietnam

Iglit-Baco National Park

Philippines

Indawgyi Lake Wildlife Sanctuary

Burma

Inl Lake Wildlife Sanctuary

Burma

Kaeng Krachan National Park

Thailand

Kerinci Seblat National Park

Indonesia

Khakaborazi National Park

Burma

Khao Yai National Park

Thailand

Kinabalu National Park

Malaysia

Komodo National Park

Indonesia

Imperial Citadel of Thang Long

Vietnam

Lampi Kyun Wildlife Reserve

Burma

Lorentz National Park

Indonesia

Meinmhala Kyun Wildlife Sanctuary

Burma

Mu Ko Surin-Mu Ko Similan Marine National Park

Thailand

Nam Ha Protected Area

Laos

Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park

Vietnam

Preah Monivong (Bokor) National Park

Cambodia

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park

Philippines

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

Singapore

Taman Negara National Park

Malaysia

Tarutao Marine National Park

Thailand

Tasek Merimbun Wildlife Sanctuary

Brunei

Thung Yai-Huay Kha Khaeng National Park

Thailand

Tubbataha Reef Marine Park

Philippines

Ujung Kulon National Park

Indonesia

Virachey National Park

Cambodia

Keraton Yogyakarta

Indonesia

M Sn

Vietnam

[edit]Scholarship

The ASEAN Scholarship is a scholarship program offered by Singapore to the 9 other member states for secondary school, junior college, and university education. It covers accommodation, food, medical benefits & accident insurance, school fees, and examination fees.[95]

[edit]University

Network

The ASEAN University Network (AUN) is a consortium of Southeast Asian universities. It was originally founded in November 1995 by 11 universities within the member states.[96] Currently AUN comprises 26 Participating Universities.[97]
[edit]Official

song

The ASEAN Way the official regional anthem of ASEAN, music by Kittikhun Sodprasert and Sampow Triudom Thailand; Lyrics byPayom Valaiphatchra Thailand. Philippines. Indonesia. Singapore; Sung by Stefanie

ASEAN Song of Unity or ASEAN Hymn, music by Ryan Cayabyab Let us move ahead, an ASEAN song, composed by Candra Darusman ASEAN Rise, ASEAN's 40th Anniversary song, composed by Dick Lee Sun Singapore.

[edit]Sports [edit]Southeast

Asian Games

The Southeast Asian Games, commonly known as the SEA Games, is a biennial multi-sport event involving participants from the current 11 countries of Southeast Asia. The games is under regulation of the Southeast Asian Games Federation with supervision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Olympic Council of Asia.
[edit]ASEAN

Para Games

Logo of the ASEAN Para Games

The ASEAN Para Games is a biennial multi-sport event held after every Southeast Asian Games for athletes with physical disabilities. The games are participated by the 11 countries located in Southeast Asia. The Games, patterned after the Paralympic Games, are played by physically challenged athletes with mobility disabilities, visual disabilities,

[edit]FESPIC

Games/ Asian Para Games

The FESPIC Games, also known as the Far East and South Pacific Games for the persons with disability, was the biggest multi-sports games in Asia and South Pacific region. The FESPIC Games were held nine times and bowed out, a success[98] in December 2006 in the 9th FESPIC Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The Games re-emerges as the 2010 Asian Para Games inGuangzhou, China. The 2010 Asian Para Games will debut shortly after the conclusion of the 16th Asian Games, using the same facilities and venue made disabilityaccessible. The inaugural Asian Para Games, the parallel event for athletes with physical disabilities, is a multisport event held every four years after every Asian Games.
[edit]Football

Championship

The ASEAN Football Championship is a biennial Football competition organised by the ASEAN Football Federation, accredited by FIFA and contested by the national teams of Southeast Asia nations. It was inaugurated in 1996 as Tiger Cup, but after Asia Pacific Breweriesterminated the sponsorship deal, "Tiger" was renamed "ASEAN".
[edit]ASEAN

2030 FIFA World Cup bid

January 2011: As a result of ASEAN Foreign ministers at Lombok meeting, they agreed bid to host the FIFA World Cup in 2030 as a single entity.[99] May 2011: ASEAN will go ahead with its bid for the FIFA 2030 World Cup. It was a follow up to the agreement reached in January before.[100]
[edit]ASEAN

Defense Industry Collaboration

Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand have established defense industries. To cut cost and plan to be self-sufficient by 2030, Indonesia and Malaysia have agreed to promote the creation of the ASEAN Defense Industry Collaboration (ADIC).[101]The United States military reportedly has said that ADIC could have additional benefits beyond cost savings for ASEAN members, including facilitating a set of standards, similar to NATO, that will improve interoperability among ASEAN and U.S. militaries and increase the effectiveness of regional response to threats to Asia-Pacific peace and stability.[102]
[edit]Criticism

Non-ASEAN countries have criticised ASEAN for being too soft in its approach to promoting human rights and democracy in the junta-led Burma.[103] Despite global outrage at the military crack-down on peaceful protesters in Yangon, ASEAN has refused to suspend Burma as a member and also rejects proposals for economic sanctions.[104] This has caused concern as the European Union, a potential trade partner, has refused to conduct free trade negotiations at a regional level for these political reasons.[105] International observers view it as a "talk shop",[106] which implies that the organisation is "big on words but small on action".[107] Head of

the International Institute of Strategic Studies Asia, Tim Huxley cites the diverse political systems present in the grouping, including many young states, as a barrier to far-reaching cooperation outside the economic sphere. He also asserts that in the absence of an external threat to rally against with the end of the Cold War, ASEAN has begun to be less successful at restraining its members and resolving border disputes such as those between Burma and Thailand and Indonesia and Malaysia.[108] During the 12th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, several activist groups staged anti-globalisation and antiArroyo rallies.[109] According to the activists, the agenda of economic integration would negatively affect industries in the Philippines and would cause thousands of Filipinos to lose their jobs. [110] They also viewed the organisation as imperialistic that threatens the country's sovereignty.[110] A human rights lawyer from New Zealand was also present to protest about the human rights situation in the region in general.[111] ASEAN has been criticized, in the past, of being a mere talking shop.[112] However, leaders such as the Philippines' Foreign Affairs Secretary, Alberto Romulo, said it would be a workshop not a talk shop.[113] Others have also expressed similar sentiment.[114]

of ASEANCHARTER OF THE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS PREAMBLE WE, THE PEOPLES of the Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), as represented by the Heads of State or Government of Brunei Darussalam, the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Republic of Indonesia, the Lao Peoples Democratic Republic, Malaysia, the Union of Myanmar, the Republic of the Philippines, the Republic of Singapore, the Kingdom of Thailand and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam: NOTING with satisfaction the significant achievements and expansion of ASEAN since its establishment in Bangkok through the promulgation of The ASEAN Declaration; RECALLING the decisions to establish an ASEAN Charter in the Vientiane Action Programme, the Kuala Lumpur

Declaration on the Establishment of the ASEAN Charter and the Cebu Declaration on the Blueprint of the ASEAN Charter; MINDFUL of the existence of mutual interests and interdependence among the peoples and Member States of ASEAN which are bound by geography, common objectives and shared destiny; INSPIRED by and united under One Vision, One Identity and One Caring and Sharing Community; UNITED by a common desire and collective will to live in a region of lasting peace, security and stability, sustained economic growth, shared prosperity and social progress, and

to promote our vital interests, ideals and aspirations; RESPECTING the fundamental importance of amity and cooperation, and the principles of sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity, non-interference, consensus and unity in diversity; ADHERING to the principles of democracy, the rule of law and good governance, respect for and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms; RESOLVED to ensure sustainable development for the benefit of present and future generations and to place the well-being, livelihood and welfare of the peoples at the centre of the ASEAN community building process; CONVINCED of the need to strengthen existing bonds of regional solidarity to realise an ASEAN Community that is politically cohesive, economically integrated and socially responsible in order to effectively respond to current and future challenges and opportunities; COMMITTED to intensifying community building through enhanced regional cooperation and integration, in particular by establishing an ASEAN Community comprising the ASEAN Security Community, the ASEAN Economic Community and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community, as

provided for in the Bali Declaration of ASEAN Concord II; HEREBY DECIDE to establish, through this Charter, the legal and institutional framework for ASEAN, AND TO THIS END, the Heads of State or Government of the Member States of ASEAN, assembled in Singapore on the historic occasion of the 40 th anniversary of the founding of ASEAN, have agreed to this Charter. 23 CHAPTER I PURPOSES AND PRINCIPLES ARTICLE 1 PURPOSES The Purposes of ASEAN are: 1. To maintain and enhance peace, security and stability and further strengthen peace-oriented values in the region; 2. To enhance regional resilience by promoting greater political, security, economic and socio-cultural cooperation; 3. To preserve Southeast Asia as a Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone and free of all other weapons of mass destruction; 4. To ensure that the peoples and Member States of ASEAN live in peace with the world at large in a just, democratic and harmonious environment; 5. To create a single market and production base which is stable, prosperous, highly competitive and economically integrated with effective facilitation for trade and investment in which there is free flow of goods, services and investment; facilitated movement of business persons, professionals, talents and labour; and freer flow of capital; 6. To alleviate poverty and narrow the development gap within ASEAN through mutual assistance and cooperation; 7. To strengthen democracy, enhance good governance and

the rule of law, and to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms, with due regard to the rights and responsibilities of the Member States of ASEAN; 4 8. To respond effectively, in accordance with the principle of comprehensive security, to all forms of threats, transnational crimes and transboundary challenges; 9. To promote sustainable development so as to ensure the protection of the regions environment, the sustainability of its natural resources, the preservation of its cultural heritage and the high quality of life of its peoples; 10. To develop human resources through closer cooperation in education and life-long learning, and in science and technology, for the empowerment of the peoples of ASEAN and for the strengthening of the ASEAN Community; 11. To enhance the well-being and livelihood of the peoples of ASEAN by providing them with equitable access to opportunities for human development, social welfare and justice; 12. To strengthen cooperation in building a safe, secure and drug-free environment for the peoples of ASEAN; 13. To promote a people-oriented ASEAN in which all sectors of society are encouraged to participate in, and benefit from, the process of ASEAN integration and community building; 14. To promote an ASEAN identity through the fostering of greater awareness of the diverse culture and heritage of the region; and 15. To maintain the centrality and proactive role of ASEAN as the primary driving force in its relations and cooperation with its external partners in a regional architecture that is open, transparent and inclusive. 5 ARTICLE 2 PRINCIPLES 1. In pursuit of the Purposes stated in Article 1, ASEAN and

its Member States reaffirm and adhere to the fundamental principles contained in the declarations, agreements, conventions, concords, treaties and other instruments of ASEAN. 2. ASEAN and its Member States shall act in accordance with the following Principles: (a) respect for the independence, sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity and national identity of all ASEAN Member States; (b) shared commitment and collective responsibility in enhancing regional peace, security and prosperity; (c) renunciation of aggression and of the threat or use of force or other actions in any manner inconsistent with international law; (d) reliance on peaceful settlement of disputes; (e) non-interference in the internal affairs of ASEAN Member States; (f) respect for the right of every Member State to lead its national existence free from external interference, subversion and coercion; (g) enhanced consultations on matters seriously affecting the common interest of ASEAN; 6 (h) adherence to the rule of law, good governance, the principles of democracy and constitutional government; (i) respect for fundamental freedoms, the promotion and protection of human rights, and the promotion of social justice; (j) upholding the United Nations Charter and international law, including international humanitarian law, subscribed to by ASEAN Member States; (k) abstention from participation in any policy or activity,

including the use of its territory, pursued by any ASEAN Member State or non-ASEAN State or any non-State actor, which threatens the sovereignty, territorial integrity or political and economic stability of ASEAN Member States; (l) respect for the different cultures, languages and religions of the peoples of ASEAN, while emphasising their common values in the spirit of unity in diversity; (m) the centrality of ASEAN in external political, economic, social and cultural relations while remaining actively engaged, outward-looking, inclusive and non-discriminatory; and (n) adherence to multilateral trade rules and ASEANs rules-based regimes for effective implementation of economic commitments and progressive reduction towards elimination of all barriers to regional economic integration, in a market-driven economy. 7 CHAPTER II LEGAL PERSONALITY ARTICLE 3 LEGAL PERSONALITY OF ASEAN ASEAN, as an inter-governmental organisation, is hereby conferred legal personality. 8 CHAPTER III MEMBERSHIP ARTICLE 4 MEMBER STATES The Member States of ASEAN are Brunei Darussalam, the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Republic of Indonesia, the Lao Peoples Democratic Republic, Malaysia, the Union of Myanmar, the Republic of the Philippines, the Republic of Singapore, the Kingdom of Thailand and the Socialist Republic

of Viet Nam. ARTICLE 5 RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS 1. Member States shall have equal rights and obligations under this Charter. 2. Member States shall take all necessary measures, including the enactment of appropriate domestic legislation, to effectively implement the provisions of this Charter and to comply with all obligations of membership. 3. In the case of a serious breach of the Charter or noncompliance, the matter shall be referred to Article 20.

ARTICLE 6 ADMISSION OF NEW MEMBERS 1. The procedure for application and admission to ASEAN shall be prescribed by the ASEAN Coordinating Council. 2. Admission shall be based on the following criteria: 9 (a) location in the recognised geographical region of Southeast Asia; (b) recognition by all ASEAN Member States; (c) agreement to be bound and to abide by the Charter; and (d) ability and willingness to carry out the obligations of Membership. 3. Admission shall be decided by consensus by the ASEAN Summit, upon the recommendation of the ASEAN Coordinating Council. 4. An applicant State shall be admitted to ASEAN upon signing an Instrument of Accession to the Charter. 10 CHAPTER IV ORGANS ARTICLE 7 ASEAN SUMMIT 1. The ASEAN Summit shall comprise the Heads of State or

Government of the Member States. 2. The ASEAN Summit shall: (a) be the supreme policy-making body of ASEAN; (b) deliberate, provide policy guidance and take decisions on key issues pertaining to the realisation of the objectives of ASEAN, important matters of interest to Member States and all issues referred to it by the ASEAN Coordinating Council, the ASEAN Community Councils and ASEAN Sectoral Ministerial Bodies; (c) instruct the relevant Ministers in each of the Councils concerned to hold ad hoc inter-Ministerial meetings, and address important issues concerning ASEAN that cut across the Community Councils. Rules of procedure for such meetings shall be adopted by the ASEAN Coordinating Council; (d) address emergency situations affecting ASEAN by taking appropriate actions; (e) decide on matters referred to it under Chapters VII and VIII; 11 (f) authorise the establishment and the dissolution of Sectoral Ministerial Bodies and other ASEAN institutions; and (g) appoint the Secretary-General of ASEAN, with the rank and status of Minister, who will serve with the confidence and at the pleasure of the Heads of State or Government upon the recommendation of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting. 3. ASEAN Summit Meetings shall be: (a) held twice annually, and be hosted by the Member State holding the ASEAN Chairmanship; and (b) convened, whenever necessary, as special or ad hoc meetings to be chaired by the Member State

holding the ASEAN Chairmanship, at venues to be agreed upon by ASEAN Member States.

ARTICLE 8 ASEAN COORDINATING COUNCIL 1. The ASEAN Coordinating Council shall comprise the ASEAN Foreign Ministers and meet at least twice a year. 2. The ASEAN Coordinating Council shall: (a) prepare the meetings of the ASEAN Summit; (b) coordinate the implementation of agreements and decisions of the ASEAN Summit; (c) coordinate with the ASEAN Community Councils to enhance policy coherence, efficiency and cooperation among them; 12 (d) coordinate the reports of the ASEAN Community Councils to the ASEAN Summit; (e) consider the annual report of the Secretary-General on the work of ASEAN; (f) consider the report of the Secretary-General on the functions and operations of the ASEAN Secretariat and other relevant bodies; (g) approve the appointment and termination of the Deputy Secretaries-General upon the recommendation of the Secretary-General; and (h) undertake other tasks provided for in this Charter or such other functions as may be assigned by the ASEAN Summit. 3. The ASEAN Coordinating Council shall be supported by the relevant senior officials. ARTICLE 9 ASEAN COMMUNITY COUNCILS 1. The ASEAN Community Councils shall comprise the ASEAN Political-Security Community Council, ASEAN

Economic Community Council, and ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Council. 2. Each ASEAN Community Council shall have under its purview the relevant ASEAN Sectoral Ministerial Bodies. 3. Each Member State shall designate its national representation for each ASEAN Community Council meeting. 13 4. In order to realise the objectives of each of the three pillars of the ASEAN Community, each ASEAN Community Council shall: (a) ensure the implementation of the relevant decisions of the ASEAN Summit; (b) coordinate the work of the different sectors under its purview, and on issues which cut across the other Community Councils; and (c) submit reports and recommendations to the ASEAN Summit on matters under its purview. 5. Each ASEAN Community Council shall meet at least twice a year and shall be chaired by the appropriate Minister from the Member State holding the ASEAN Chairmanship. 6. Each ASEAN Community Council shall be supported by the relevant senior officials. ARTICLE 10 ASEAN SECTORAL MINISTERIAL BODIES 1. ASEAN Sectoral Ministerial Bodies shall: (a) function in accordance with their respective established mandates; (b) implement the agreements and decisions of the ASEAN Summit under their respective purview; (c) strengthen cooperation in their respective fields in support of ASEAN integration and community building; and 14 (d) submit reports and recommendations to their respective Community Councils.

2. Each ASEAN Sectoral Ministerial Body may have under its purview the relevant senior officials and subsidiary bodies to undertake its functions as contained in Annex 1. The Annex may be updated by the Secretary-General of ASEAN upon the recommendation of the Committee of Permanent Representatives without recourse to the provision on Amendments under this Charter. ARTICLE 11 SECRETARY-GENERAL OF ASEAN AND ASEAN SECRETARIAT 1. The Secretary-General of ASEAN shall be appointed by the ASEAN Summit for a non-renewable term of office of five years, selected from among nationals of the ASEAN Member States based on alphabetical rotation, with due consideration to integrity, capability and professional experience, and gender equality. 2. The Secretary-General shall: (a) carry out the duties and responsibilities of this high office in accordance with the provisions of this Charter and relevant ASEAN instruments, protocols and established practices; (b) facilitate and monitor progress in the implementation of ASEAN agreements and decisions, and submit an annual report on the work of ASEAN to the ASEAN Summit; (c) participate in meetings of the ASEAN Summit, the ASEAN Community Councils, the ASEAN 15 Coordinating Council, and ASEAN Sectoral Ministerial Bodies and other relevant ASEAN meetings; (d) present the views of ASEAN and participate in meetings with external parties in accordance with approved policy guidelines and mandate given to

the Secretary-General; and (e) recommend the appointment and termination of the Deputy Secretaries-General to the ASEAN Coordinating Council for approval. 3. The Secretary-General shall also be the Chief Administrative Officer of ASEAN. 4. The Secretary-General shall be assisted by four Deputy Secretaries-General with the rank and status of Deputy Ministers. The Deputy Secretaries-General shall be accountable to the Secretary-General in carrying out their functions. 5. The four Deputy Secretaries-General shall be of different nationalities from the Secretary-General and shall come from four different ASEAN Member States. 6. The four Deputy Secretaries-General shall comprise: (a) two Deputy Secretaries-General who will serve a non-renewable term of three years, selected from among nationals of the ASEAN Member States based on alphabetical rotation, with due consideration to integrity, qualifications, competence, experience and gender equality; and 16 (b) two Deputy Secretaries-General who will serve a term of three years, which may be renewed for another three years. These two Deputy SecretariesGeneral shall be openly recruited based on merit. 7. The ASEAN Secretariat shall comprise the SecretaryGeneral and such staff as may be required. 8. The Secretary-General and the staff shall: (a) uphold the highest standards of integrity, efficiency, and competence in the performance of their duties; (b) not seek or receive instructions from any government or external party outside of ASEAN; and (c) refrain from any action which might reflect on their position as ASEAN Secretariat officials responsible

only to ASEAN. 9. Each ASEAN Member State undertakes to respect the exclusively ASEAN character of the responsibilities of the Secretary-General and the staff, and not to seek to influence them in the discharge of their responsibilities. ARTICLE 12 COMMITTEE OF PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVES TO ASEAN 1. Each ASEAN Member State shall appoint a Permanent Representative to ASEAN with the rank of Ambassador based in Jakarta. 2. The Permanent Representatives collectively constitute a Committee of Permanent Representatives, which shall: 17 (a) support the work of the ASEAN Community Councils and ASEAN Sectoral Ministerial Bodies; (b) coordinate with ASEAN National Secretariats and other ASEAN Sectoral Ministerial Bodies; (c) liaise with the Secretary-General of ASEAN and the ASEAN Secretariat on all subjects relevant to its work; (d) facilitate ASEAN cooperation with external partners; and (e) perform such other functions as may be determined by the ASEAN Coordinating Council. ARTICLE 13 ASEAN NATIONAL SECRETARIATS Each ASEAN Member State shall establish an ASEAN National Secretariat which shall: (a) serve as the national focal point; (b) be the repository of information on all ASEAN matters at the national level; (c) coordinate the implementation of ASEAN decisions at the national level;

(d) coordinate and support the national preparations of ASEAN meetings; (e) promote ASEAN identity and awareness at the national level; and 18 (f) contribute to ASEAN community building. ARTICLE 14 ASEAN HUMAN RIGHTS BODY 1. In conformity with the purposes and principles of the ASEAN Charter relating to the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, ASEAN shall establish an ASEAN human rights body. 2. This ASEAN human rights body shall operate in accordance with the terms of reference to be determined by the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting. ARTICLE 15 ASEAN FOUNDATION 1. The ASEAN Foundation shall support the SecretaryGeneral of ASEAN and collaborate with the relevant ASEAN

bodies to support ASEAN community building by promoting greater awareness of the ASEAN identity, people-to-people interaction, and close collaboration among the business sector, civil society, academia and other stakeholders in ASEAN. 2. The ASEAN Foundation shall be accountable to the Secretary-General of ASEAN, who shall submit its report to the ASEAN Summit through the ASEAN Coordinating Council. 19 CHAPTER V ENTITIES ASSOCIATED WITH ASEAN ARTICLE 16 ENTITIES ASSOCIATED WITH ASEAN 1. ASEAN may engage with entities which support the ASEAN Charter, in particular its purposes and principles. These associated entities are listed in Annex 2. 2. Rules of procedure and criteria for engagement shall be

prescribed by the Committee of Permanent Representatives upon the recommendation of the Secretary-General of ASEAN. 3. Annex 2 may be updated by the Secretary-General of ASEAN upon the recommendation of the Committee of Permanent Representatives without recourse to the provision on Amendments under this Charter. 20 CHAPTER VI IMMUNITIES AND PRIVILEGES ARTICLE 17 IMMUNITIES AND PRIVILEGES OF ASEAN 1. ASEAN shall enjoy in the territories of the Member States such immunities and privileges as are necessary for the fulfilment of its purposes. 2. The immunities and privileges shall be laid down in separate agreements between ASEAN and the host Member State. ARTICLE 18 IMMUNITIES AND PRIVILEGES OF THE SECRETARYGENERAL OF ASEAN AND STAFF OF THE ASEAN

SECRETARIAT 1. The Secretary-General of ASEAN and staff of the ASEAN Secretariat participating in official ASEAN activities or representing ASEAN in the Member States shall enjoy such immunities and privileges as are necessary for the independent exercise of their functions. 2. The immunities and privileges under this Article shall be laid down in a separate ASEAN agreement. ARTICLE 19 IMMUNITIES AND PRIVILEGES OF THE PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVES AND OFFICIALS ON ASEAN DUTIES 1. The Permanent Representatives of the Member States to ASEAN and officials of the Member States participating in official ASEAN activities or representing ASEAN in the Member 21

States shall enjoy such immunities and privileges as are necessary for the exercise of their functions. 2. The immunities and privileges of the Permanent Representatives and officials on ASEAN duties shall be governed by the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations or in accordance with the national law of the ASEAN Member State concerned. 22 CHAPTER VII DECISION-MAKING ARTICLE 20 CONSULTATION AND CONSENSUS 1. As a basic principle, decision-making in ASEAN shall be based on consultation and consensus. 2. Where consensus cannot be achieved, the ASEAN Summit may decide how a specific decision can be made. 3. Nothing in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article shall affect the modes of decision-making as contained in the relevant ASEAN legal instruments. 4. In the case of a serious breach of the Charter or noncompliance, the matter shall be referred to the ASEAN Summit

for decision. ARTICLE 21 IMPLEMENTATION AND PROCEDURE 1. Each ASEAN Community Council shall prescribe its own rules of procedure. 2. In the implementation of economic commitments, a formula for flexible participation, including the ASEAN Minus X formula, may be applied where there is a consensus to do so. 23 CHAPTER VIII SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES ARTICLE 22 GENERAL PRINCIPLES 1. Member States shall endeavour to resolve peacefully all

disputes in a timely manner through dialogue, consultation and negotiation. 2. ASEAN shall maintain and establish dispute settlement mechanisms in all fields of ASEAN cooperation. ARTICLE 23 GOOD OFFICES, CONCILIATION AND MEDIATION 1. Member States which are parties to a dispute may at any time agree to resort to good offices, conciliation or mediation in order to resolve the dispute within an agreed time limit. 2. Parties to the dispute may request the Chairman of ASEAN or the Secretary-General of ASEAN, acting in an exofficio capacity, to provide good offices, conciliation or

mediation. ARTICLE 24 DISPUTE SETTLEMENT MECHANISMS IN SPECIFIC INSTRUMENTS

1. Disputes relating to specific ASEAN instruments shall be settled through the mechanisms and procedures provided for in such instruments. 2. Disputes which do not concern the interpretation or application of any ASEAN instrument shall be resolved 24 peacefully in accordance with the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia and its rules of procedure. 3. Where not otherwise specifically provided, disputes which concern the interpretation or application of ASEAN economic agreements shall be settled in accordance with the ASEAN Protocol on Enhanced Dispute Settlement Mechanism. ARTICLE 25 ESTABLISHMENT OF DISPUTE SETTLEMENT MECHANISMS Where not otherwise specifically provided, appropriate dispute settlement mechanisms, including arbitration, shall be

established for disputes which concern the interpretation or application of this Charter and other ASEAN instruments. ARTICLE 26 UNRESOLVED DISPUTES When a dispute remains unresolved, after the application of the preceding provisions of this Chapter, this dispute shall be referred to the ASEAN Summit, for its decision. ARTICLE 27 COMPLIANCE 1. The Secretary-General of ASEAN, assisted by the ASEAN Secretariat or any other designated ASEAN body, shall monitor the compliance with the findings, recommendations or decisions resulting from an ASEAN dispute settlement mechanism, and submit a report to the ASEAN Summit. 2. Any Member State affected by non-compliance with the findings, recommendations or decisions resulting from an 25 ASEAN dispute settlement mechanism, may refer the matter to the ASEAN Summit for a decision. ARTICLE 28 UNITED NATIONS CHARTER PROVISIONS AND OTHER RELEVANT INTERNATIONAL PROCEDURES Unless otherwise provided for in this Charter, Member States have the right of recourse to the modes of peaceful settlement contained in Article 33(1) of the Charter of the United Nations or any other international legal instruments to which the disputing Member States are parties. 26 CHAPTER IX BUDGET AND FINANCE ARTICLE 29 GENERAL PRINCIPLES 1. ASEAN shall establish financial rules and procedures in accordance with international standards.

2. ASEAN shall observe sound financial management policies and practices and budgetary discipline. 3. Financial accounts shall be subject to internal and external audits. ARTICLE 30 OPERATIONAL BUDGET AND FINANCES OF THE ASEAN SECRETARIAT 1. The ASEAN Secretariat shall be provided with the necessary financial resources to perform its functions effectively. 2. The operational budget of the ASEAN Secretariat shall be met by ASEAN Member States through equal annual contributions which shall be remitted in a timely manner. 3. The Secretary-General shall prepare the annual operational budget of the ASEAN Secretariat for approval by the ASEAN Coordinating Council upon the recommendation of the Committee of Permanent Representatives. 4. The ASEAN Secretariat shall operate in accordance with the financial rules and procedures determined by the ASEAN Coordinating Council upon the recommendation of the Committee of Permanent Representatives. 27 CHAPTER X ADMINISTRATION AND PROCEDURE ARTICLE 31 CHAIRMAN OF ASEAN 1. The Chairmanship of ASEAN shall rotate annually, based on the alphabetical order of the English names of Member States. 2. ASEAN shall have, in a calendar year, a single Chairmanship by which the Member State assuming the Chairmanship shall chair: (a) the ASEAN Summit and related summits; (b) the ASEAN Coordinating Council;

(c) the three ASEAN Community Councils; (d) where appropriate, the relevant ASEAN Sectoral Ministerial Bodies and senior officials; and (e) the Committee of Permanent Representatives. ARTICLE 32 ROLE OF THE CHAIRMAN OF ASEAN The Member State holding the Chairmanship of ASEAN shall: (a) actively promote and enhance the interests and wellbeing of ASEAN, including efforts to build an ASEAN

Community through policy initiatives, coordination, consensus and cooperation; (b) ensure the centrality of ASEAN; 28 (c) ensure an effective and timely response to urgent issues or crisis situations affecting ASEAN, including providing its good offices and such other arrangements to immediately address these concerns; (d) represent ASEAN in strengthening and promoting closer relations with external partners; and (e) carry out such other tasks and functions as may be mandated. ARTICLE 33 DIPLOMATIC PROTOCOL AND PRACTICES ASEAN and its Member States shall adhere to existing diplomatic protocol and practices in the conduct of all activities relating to ASEAN. Any changes shall be approved by the ASEAN Coordinating Council upon the recommendation of the Committee of Permanent Representatives. ARTICLE 34 WORKING LANGUAGE OF ASEAN The working language of ASEAN shall be English. 29 CHAPTER XI IDENTITY AND SYMBOLS ARTICLE 35

ASEAN IDENTITY ASEAN shall promote its common ASEAN identity and a sense of belonging among its peoples in order to achieve its shared destiny, goals and values. ARTICLE 36 ASEAN MOTTO The ASEAN motto shall be: "One Vision, One Identity, One Community" ARTICLE 37 ASEAN FLAG The ASEAN flag shall be as shown in Annex 3. ARTICLE 38 ASEAN EMBLEM The ASEAN emblem shall be as shown in Annex 4. ARTICLE 39 ASEAN DAY The eighth of August shall be observed as ASEAN Day. ARTICLE 40 ASEAN ANTHEM ASEAN shall have an anthem. 30 CHAPTER XII EXTERNAL RELATIONS ARTICLE 41 CONDUCT OF EXTERNAL RELATIONS 1. ASEAN shall develop friendly relations and mutually beneficial dialogue, cooperation and partnerships with countries and sub-regional, regional and international organisations and institutions. 2. The external relations of ASEAN shall adhere to the purposes and principles set forth in this Charter. 3. ASEAN shall be the primary driving force in regional arrangements that it initiates and maintain its centrality in regional cooperation and community building.

4. In the conduct of external relations of ASEAN, Member States shall, on the basis of unity and solidarity, coordinate and endeavour to develop common positions and pursue joint actions. 5. The strategic policy directions of ASEANs external relations shall be set by the ASEAN Summit upon the recommendation of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting. 6. The ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting shall ensure consistency and coherence in the conduct of ASEANs external relations. 7. ASEAN may conclude agreements with countries or subregional, regional and international organisations and

institutions. The procedures for concluding such agreements 31 shall be prescribed by the ASEAN Coordinating Council in consultation with the ASEAN Community Councils. ARTICLE 42 DIALOGUE COORDINATOR 1. Member States, acting as Country Coordinators, shall take turns to take overall responsibility in coordinating and promoting the interests of ASEAN in its relations with the relevant Dialogue Partners, regional and international organisations and institutions. 2. In relations with the external partners, the Country Coordinators shall, inter alia: (a) represent ASEAN and enhance relations on the basis of mutual respect and equality, in conformity with ASEANs principles; (b) co-chair relevant meetings between ASEAN and external partners; and (c) be supported by the relevant ASEAN Committees in Third Countries and International Organisations. ARTICLE 43 ASEAN COMMITTEES IN THIRD COUNTRIES

AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS 1. ASEAN Committees in Third Countries may be established in non-ASEAN countries comprising heads of diplomatic missions of ASEAN Member States. Similar Committees may be established relating to international organisations. Such Committees shall promote ASEANs interests and identity in the host countries and international organisations. 32 2. The ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting shall determine the rules of procedure of such Committees. ARTICLE 44 STATUS OF EXTERNAL PARTIES 1. In conducting ASEANs external relations, the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting may confer on an external party the formal status of Dialogue Partner, Sectoral Dialogue Partner, Development Partner, Special Observer, Guest, or other status that may be established henceforth. 2. External parties may be invited to ASEAN meetings or cooperative activities without being conferred any formal status, in accordance with the rules of procedure. ARTICLE 45 RELATIONS WITH THE UNITED NATIONS SYSTEM AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS AND INSTITUTIONS 1. ASEAN may seek an appropriate status with the United Nations system as well as with other sub-regional, regional, international organisations and institutions. 2. The ASEAN Coordinating Council shall decide on the participation of ASEAN in other sub-regional, regional, international organisations and institutions. ARTICLE 46 ACCREDITATION OF NON-ASEAN MEMBER STATES TO ASEAN

Non-ASEAN Member States and relevant inter-governmental organisations may appoint and accredit Ambassadors to ASEAN. The ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting shall decide on such accreditation. 33 CHAPTER XIII GENERAL AND FINAL PROVISIONS ARTICLE 47 SIGNATURE, RATIFICATION, DEPOSITORY AND ENTRY INTO FORCE 1. This Charter shall be signed by all ASEAN Member States. 2. This Charter shall be subject to ratification by all ASEAN Member States in accordance with their respective internal procedures. 3. Instruments of ratification shall be deposited with the Secretary-General of ASEAN who shall promptly notify all Member States of each deposit. 4. This Charter shall enter into force on the thirtieth day following the date of deposit of the tenth instrument of ratification with the Secretary-General of ASEAN. ARTICLE 48 AMENDMENTS 1. Any Member State may propose amendments to the Charter. 2. Proposed amendments to the Charter shall be submitted by the ASEAN Coordinating Council by consensus to the ASEAN Summit for its decision. 3. Amendments to the Charter agreed to by consensus by the ASEAN Summit shall be ratified by all Member States in accordance with Article 47. 34 4. An amendment shall enter into force on the thirtieth day following the date of deposit of the last instrument of ratification with the Secretary-General of ASEAN.

ARTICLE 49 TERMS OF REFERENCE AND RULES OF PROCEDURE Unless otherwise provided for in this Charter, the ASEAN Coordinating Council shall determine the terms of reference and rules of procedure and shall ensure their consistency. ARTICLE 50 REVIEW This Charter may be reviewed five years after its entry into force or as otherwise determined by the ASEAN Summit. ARTICLE 51 INTERPRETATION OF THE CHARTER 1. Upon the request of any Member State, the interpretation of the Charter shall be undertaken by the ASEAN Secretariat in accordance with the rules of procedure determined by the ASEAN Coordinating Council. 2. Any dispute arising from the interpretation of the Charter shall be settled in accordance with the relevant provisions in Chapter VIII. 3. Headings and titles used throughout the Charter shall only be for the purpose of reference. 35 ARTICLE 52 LEGAL CONTINUITY 1. All treaties, conventions, agreements, concords, declarations, protocols and other ASEAN instruments which have been in effect before the entry into force of this Charter shall continue to be valid. 2. In case of inconsistency between the rights and obligations of ASEAN Member States under such instruments and this Charter, the Charter shall prevail. ARTICLE 53 ORIGINAL TEXT The signed original text of this Charter in English shall be deposited with the Secretary-General of ASEAN, who shall

provide a certified copy to each Member State. ARTICLE 54 REGISTRATION OF THE ASEAN CHARTER This Charter shall be registered by the Secretary-General of ASEAN with the Secretariat of the United Nations, pursuant to Article 102, paragraph 1 of the Charter of the United Nations. ARTICLE 55 ASEAN ASSETS The assets and funds of the Organisation shall be vested in the name of ASEAN. 36 Done in Singapore on the Twentieth Day of November in the Year Two Thousand and Seven, in a single original in the English language. For Brunei Darussalam:

HAJI HASSANAL BOLKIAH Sultan of Brunei Darussalam For the Kingdom of Cambodia:

SAMDECH HUN SEN Prime Minister 37 For the Republic of Indonesia:

DR. SUSILO BAMBANG YUDHOYONO President For the Lao Peoples Democratic Republic:

BOUASONE BOUPHAVANH Prime Minister For Malaysia:

DATO SERI ABDULLAH AHMAD BADAWI Prime Minister 38

For the Union of Myanmar:

GENERAL THEIN SEIN Prime Minister For the Republic of the Philippines:

GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO President For the Republic of Singapore:

LEE HSIEN LOONG Prime Minister 39 For the Kingdom of Thailand:

GENERAL SURAYUD CHULANONT (RET.) Prime Minister For the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam:

NGUYEN TAN DUNG Prime Minister