ASEAN The Association of Southeast Asian Nations Overview

ASEAN The Association of Southeast Asian Nations

Overview 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 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; 5. To promote Southeast Asian studies; and

ASEAN Motto The motto of ASEAN is "One Vision, One Identity, One Community".

ASEAN Flag

The ASEAN Flag is a symbol of Member States' unity and support for the principles and endeavours of ASEAN and is a means to promote greater ASEAN awareness and solidarity. The ASEAN Flag represents a stable, peaceful, united and dynamic ASEAN. The colours of the Flag – blue, red, white and yellow – represent the main colours of the flags of all the ASEAN Member States. The blue represents peace and stability. Red depicts courage and dynamism, white shows purity and yellow symbolises prosperity. The stalks of padi in the centre of the Emblem represent the dream of ASEAN's Founding Fathers for an ASEAN comprising all the countries in Southeast Asia, bound together in friendship and solidarity. The circle represents the unity of ASEAN. The ASEAN Flag is the reserved copyright of ASEAN. The specifications of the ASEAN Flag are annexed. The ASEAN Flag shall be treated with respect and shall not be subjected to any indignity.

ASEAN Emblem

The ASEAN Emblem shall be the official emblem of ASEAN. The ASEAN Emblem represents a stable, peaceful, united and dynamic ASEAN. The colours of the Emblem -- blue, red, white and yellow -- represent the main colours of the state crests of all the ASEAN Member States. The blue represents peace and stability. Red depicts courage and dynamism, white shows purity and yellow symbolises prosperity. The stalks of padi in the centre of the Emblem represent the dream of ASEAN's Founding Fathers for an ASEAN comprising all the countries in Southeast Asia, bound together in friendship and solidarity. The circle represents the unity of ASEAN. The ASEAN Emblem is the reserved copyright of ASEAN.

ASEAN Day th 8 August is observed as ASEAN Day

ASEAN Anthem

1. The ASEAN Anthem is an expression of ASEAN unity. It also strengthens the sense of ASEAN identity and belonging among the peoples of the region. 2. The ASEAN Anthem is titled "THE ASEAN WAY", with musical composition and lyrics as attached. 3. The ASEAN Anthem is under the copyright of ASEAN with the ASEAN Secretariat as the main body to oversee its proper use.

ASEAN Member States

Brunei Darussalam Head of State : His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah Capital : Bandar Seri Begawan Language(s) : Malay, English Currency : B$ (Brunei Dollar) Indonesia Head of State : President Joko Widodo Capital : Jakarta Language : Indonesian Currency : Rupiah Cambodia Head of State : His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni Head of Government : Prime Minister Hun Sen Capital : Phnom Penh Language : Khmer Currency : Riel Lao PDR Head of State : President Choummaly Sayasone Head of Government : Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong Capital : Vientiane Language : Lao Currency : Kip

Malaysia Head of Government : The Honourable Dato' Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak Capital : Kuala Lumpur Language(s) : Malay, English, Chinese, Tamil Currency : Ringgit Philippines Head of State : President Benigno S. Aquino III Capital : Manila Language(s) : Filipino, English, Spanish Currency : Peso Myanmar Head of State : President Thein Sein Capital : Nay Pyi Taw Language : Myanmar Currency : Kyat Singapore Head of State : President Tony Tan Keng Yam Head of Government : Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong Capital : Singapore Language(s) : English, Malay, Mandarin, Tamil Currency : S$ (Singapore Dollar)

Thailand Head of State : His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej Head of Government : Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha Capital : Bangkok Language : Thai Currency : Baht Viet Nam Head of State : President Truong Tan Sang Head of Government : Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung Capital : Ha Noi Language : Vietnamese Currency : Dong

ASEAN Secretariat The ASEAN Secretariat was set up in February 1976 by the Foreign Ministers of ASEAN. It was then housed at the Department of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia in Jakarta. The existing ASEAN Secretariat at 70 A Jalan Sisingamangaraja, Jakarta was established and officiated in 1981 by then President of Indonesia, H. E. Soeharto. The ASEAN Secretariat's basic function is to provide for greater efficiency in the coordination of ASEAN organs and for more effective implementation of ASEAN projects and activities

The ASEAN Secretariat's vision is that by 2015, it will be the nerve centre of a strong and confident ASEAN Community that is globally respected for acting in full compliance with its Charter and in the best interest of its people.

External Relations ASEAN shall develop friendly relations and mutually beneficial dialogue, cooperation and partnerships with countries and subregional, regional and international organisations and institutions.

ASEAN Continues to Strengthen Consumer Protection

HA NOI, 11 December 2014 - The inaugural ASEAN Consumer Protection Conference was convened from 8 -9 December in Ha Noi, Viet Nam. Consumer protection agencies from the ASEAN Members States, Australia, Japan, South Korea, consumer associations, international organisations and academicians attended the conference.