ASEAN
About ASEAN:
- The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was formally founded in 1967 with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration to foster political and social stability in the face of rising tensions among the post-colonial states of the Asia-Pacific (also known as the Bangkok Declaration).
- On August 8, Asean Day is observed.
- The motto of ASEAN is “One Vision, One Identity, One Community.”
- Indonesia’s Jakarta is home to the ASEAN Secretariat.
- The founding members of ASEAN are Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.
Historical Background
- The organization was formally created in 1967 with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration (also known as the Bangkok Declaration) by Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore.
- After the Vietnam War ended in 1975, Brunei became a member of ASEAN. Vietnam, Laos, and Myanmar followed in 1995. After the Cambodian Civil War ended in 1997, Cambodia joined in 1999.
- In 1995, members decided to create a nuclear-free zone in Southeast Asia.
- In 1997, the ASEAN Vision 2020 was adopted.
- In 2003, Bali Concord II was held to forge an ASEAN Community.
- The 2007 Cebu Declaration intends to have the ASEAN Community established by 2015.
- The ASEAN Charter is a legal contract that is upholdable in court as of 2008.
- The ASEAN Community will be launched in 2015.
Member Nations:
- Indonesia
- Malaysia
- Philippines
- Singapore
- Thailand
- Brunei
- Vietnam
- Laos
- Myanmar
- Cambodia
Objective:
- to speed the economic, social, and cultural development of Southeast Asian countries.
- to uphold the principles of the UN Charter and the rule of law in order to promote regional peace and stability.
- to promote active collaboration and reciprocal assistance on topics of shared concern in the fields of administration, economy, society, culture, technology, and science.
- to collaborate more effectively in order to better utilize resources and raise the standard of living for everyone.
- to promote Southeast Asian research.
- to continue productively and closely collaborating with the current regional and international organizations.
Coordination of finances:
- ASEAN is India’s fourth-largest trading partner.
- The ASEAN-India free trade zone is now complete.
- The ASEAN India-Business Council (AIBC) was established in 2003 with the intention of bringing together significant actors in the Indian and ASEAN corporate sectors.
- Member countries of ASEAN have received funding from the following Funds:
- ASEAN-India Cooperation Fund
- For ASEAN, the Indian S&T Development Fund
- ASEAN-India Green Fund
- The Delhi Declaration makes reference to marine cooperation.
- India and ASEAN have a yearly dialogue about political, security, and economic issues.
- The ASEAN-India Centre’s (AIC) purpose is to do policy research, promote causes, and network with organizations and think tanks in India and ASEAN.
- Cooperation in Political Security: India prioritized ASEAN in its Indo-Pacific vision of security and growth for all in the region.
Significance:
- ASEAN has more power to affect economic, political, and security issues in the Asia-Pacific than what its members might have individually.
- There is a sizable demographic dividend in ASEAN countries, where the population is the third largest in the world and more than half of the population is under 30.
