Asean Definition

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, is a regional intergovernmental organization comprising ten countries in Southeast Asia, which promotes intergovernmental cooperation and facilitates economic, political, security, military, educational, and sociocultural integration among its members and other countries in Asia.

ASEAN was established on 8 August 1967 by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand with the signing of the Bangkok Declaration. Since then, ASEAN member states have grown to include Brunei Darussalam (1984), Cambodia (1995), Laos (1997), Myanmar (1997), and Vietnam (1995).

ASEAN covers a land area of 4.5 million square kilometers, or 3% of the total land area of Earth. It also has a combined population of approximately 625 million people, or 8.8% of the world’s population.

The primary aim of ASEAN is to accelerate economic growth, social progress, and cultural development in the region through joint endeavors in the spirit of equality and partnership. In pursuit of this objective, ASEAN seeks to promote regional peace and stability; ensure maritime security; enhance environmental conservation; expand trade and investment; foster technological innovation; upgrade infrastructure development; strengthen education systems; protect human rights and fundamental freedoms; and consolidate democracy.