Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

By: Naina Iyengar

An economic and geo-political organization of ten Southeast Asian countries valuing peace, freedom, and prosperity

“One vision, one identity, one community” Important Documents: ASEAN Declaration (a.k.a. Bangkok

Declaration), signed in Bangkok, Thailand on August 8th, 1967 and established its aims, purposes, and machinery (leadership, bodies, etc.)

What is The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)?

Declaration of ASEAN Concord, signed in Indonesia on February 24th, 1976, laid down the framework for a program of action:

Political: meetings between Heads of Governments of members when necessary and the use of peaceful means to settle intra-regional disputes

Economic: cooperation of basic commodities (i.e. food and energy), industry, trade, and approaches to world economic problems

Cultural and Information: the study and promotion of ASEAN, its member countries, and its national languages in schools and in the media

Security: cooperation of member countries regarding security issues

Improvement of ASEAN Machinery: regular study and review of its organizational and constitutional structures

What is The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)?

(cont.)

Agreement on The Common Effective Preferential Tariff (CEPT) Scheme For the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA), signed in Singapore on January 28th, 1992 set effective tariffs and other barriers on imported and exported goods and agricultural products between member countries; the goal is zero import duties to foster a globally competitive single market

Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone, signed in Bangkok on December 15th, 1995 defined nuclear weapon-related terms and stated that each state party undertakes not to develop, manufacture, acquire, possess, station, transport, test, or use nuclear weapons

What is The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)? (cont.)

ASEAN Vision 2020, signed in 1997, reaffirmed the ASEAN Declaration

Ha Noi Plan of Action, signed in 1998, set a six-year (1999-2004) timeframe for enhancing macroeconomic, financial, information technology, and science & technology cooperation

ASEAN Charter, signed on December 15th, 2008, established political commitment, legal frameworks, and initiatives for its members

What is The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)? (cont.)

ASEAN was established in Bangkok, Thailand on August 8th, 1967 (45 years old)

Changes from the original: Has shifted some of its focus to the environment

and democracy Now strives to enact free trade agreements

(thereby improving relations) with The People’s Republic of China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, and New Zealand

In 2006, ASEAN was finally granted observer status in the United Nations by the UN General Assembly

What is the age of ASEAN?

“To accelerate economic growth, social progress, and cultural development in the region through joint endeavors” (ASEAN Declaration)

“To promote regional peace and stability” (ASEAN Declaration)

“To collaborate on economic, social, cultural, technical, scientific, administrative, educational, and professional matters” (ASEAN Declaration)

“To collaborate more effectively for the greater utilization of their agriculture and industries” (ASEAN Declaration)

“To promote Southeast Asian studies” (ASEAN Declaration)

Fundamental principles include peace, sovereignty, equality, integrity, and cooperation

What is the purpose of ASEAN?

Membership: August 8th, 1967: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand

January 8th, 1984: Brunei Darussalam July 28th, 1995: Vietnam July 23rd, 1997: Laos and Myanmar April 30th, 1999: Cambodia

Who is involved?

Leadership: ASEAN Coordinating Council (last updated on

August 24th, 2011), ASEAN Community Councils (last updated on January 26th, 2010), various ASEAN Sectoral Ministerial Bodies, a Committee of Permanent Representatives (last updated on March 20th, 2011), ASEAN National Secretariats (last updated on August 8th, 2011), and various ASEAN Committees Abroad

Chair of ASEAN rotates; is currently Cambodia

Who is involved? (cont.)

provides economic singularity and growth between member nations through AFTAs

encourages peace and discourages the use of violent (ex: nuclear) means of settling disputes

intra-regional collaboration on several issues (ex: educational, technological) is fostered

What are the advantages of membership?

there is little focus on human rights in light of economic issues (especially in Myanmar)

some countries have experienced protests against globalization post-membership

can be viewed as a force undermining a country’s sovereignty

What are the disadvantages of membership?

People’s Republic of China: AFTA established between the two countries; criticized

because China provides cheaper labor and more FDI, which may lead to the economic decline of ASEAN countries

 Eleven cooperation areas: agriculture, information and communication technology, human resource development, Mekong Basin Development (closing the development gap), investment, energy, transport, culture, public health, tourism, and environment (The China-ASEAN Environmental Cooperation Centre, or CAEC, was established in May of 2011)

China’s direct investment in ASEAN has reached $12.5 billion, and accounted for 11.3% of ASEAN’s total trade in 2010

ASEAN accounted for 9.8% of China’s total trade in 2010

What is ASEAN’s international impact?

Russia: Russia agreed to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation

in Southeast Asia (TAC) on November 29th, 2004 ASEAN-Russia Comprehensive Plan of Action (CPA) is

aimed to strengthen relations between the two countries from 2005-2015

ASEAN-Russia Energy Cooperation Work Programme encourages cooperation regarding the development of alternative and renewable energy, the usage of coal, oil, and gas, and the peaceful utilization of nuclear energy

total trade between the two has increased 34% from 2009-2010

What is ASEAN’s international impact? (cont.)

"ASEAN Countries." ASEAN Countries & Myanmar. Myanmar's NET, 2008. Web. 26 Mar 2012. <http://www.myanmars.net/myanmar/asean -countries.htm>.

The Official Website of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The ASEAN Secretariat, 2009. Web. 26 Mar 2012. <http://www.aseansec.org/24342.htm>.

"UN Grants ASEAN Observer Status." Harvard International Law Journal. (2006): n. page. Web. 26 Mar. 2012. <http://www.harvardilj.org/2006/12/un- grants-asean-observer-status/>.

Works Cited