Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

Purpose

Accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development, and promote regional peace and stability in Southeast Asia.

Members:

10 member states

Headquarters:

Jakarta, Indonesia

History

ASEAN was founded on 8 August 1967 in Bangkok by five founding members (Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand) during the Cold War, and has since expanded to cover nearly all of Southeast Asia.

Structure

• ASEAN Summit
• ASEAN Ministerial Meetings
• Secretariat, headed by the Secretary-General

Key facts

• Expanded to include Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia through the 1980s–1990s
• Operates the ASEAN Free Trade Area and the broader ASEAN Economic Community

Pakistan's relationship

Not a member; holds ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partner status and has sought closer trade ties with the bloc.