Association of Southeast Asian Nations] (ASEAN )

What is ASEAN?
Aims and Purposes of ASIAN.
Fundamental  Principles of ASEAN.
Main Features of ASEAN Charter.

ASEAN

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations] (ASEAN ) is a regional organisation comprising ten Southeast Asian states which promotes intergovernmental cooperation and facilitates economic integration amongst its members.

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.

Aims and Puposes of ASEAN

According to Article 1 of ASEAN Charter

As set out in the ASEAN Declaration, the aims and purposes of ASEAN are:

- 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;

- 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;

- To promote active collaboration and mutual assistance on matters of common interest in the economic, social, cultural, technical, scientific and administrative fields;

- To provide assistance to each other in the form of training and research facilities in the educational, professional, technical and administrative spheres;

- 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;

- To promote Southeast Asian studies; and

- To maintain close and beneficial cooperation with existing international and regional organisations with similar aims and purposes, and explore all avenues for even closer cooperation among themselves.

Fundamental Principles of ASEAN

According to Article 2 of ASEAN Charter

In their relations with one another, the ASEAN Member States have adopted the following fundamental principles, as contained in the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) of 1976:

- Mutual respect for the independence, sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity, and national identity of all nations;

- The right of every State to lead its national existence free from external interference, subversion or coercion;

- Non-interference in the internal affairs of one another;

- Settlement of differences or disputes by peaceful manner;

- Renunciation of the threat or use of force; and

- Effective cooperation among themselves.

Main Features of ASEAN Charter

Article 1: Purposes

-to preserve Southeast Asia as a Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone and free of all other weapons of mass destruction;

-to create a single market and production base which is stable, prosperous, highly competitive and economically integrated with effective facilitation for trade and investment in which there is free flow of goods, services and investment; faciliated movement of business persons, professionals, talents and labour; and freer flow of capital

-to promote a people-oriented ASEAN in which all sectors of society are encouraged to participate in, and benefit from, the process of ASEAN integration and community building;
-to promote an ASEAN identity through the fostering of greater awareness of the diverse culture and heritage of the region;

Article 2: Principles

ASEAN and its Member States shall act in accordance with the following Principles:

- non-interference in the internal affairs of ASEAN Member States;

-respect for the right of every Member State to lead its national existence free from external interference, subversion and coercion;

- adherence to the rule of law, good governance, the principles of democracy and constitutional government;

-respect for fundamental freedoms, the promotion and protection of human rights, and the promotion of social justice;

-respect for the different cultures, languages, and religions of the peoples of ASEAN, while emphasising their common values in the spirit of unity in diversity;

Article 5: Rights and Obligations

Member States shall take all necessary measures, including the enactment of appropriate domestic legislation, to effectively implement the provisions of this Charter and to comply with all obligations of membership;

Article 6: Adminission of New Members

-Admission shall be based on the following criteria

(a) location in the recognised geographical region of Southeast Asia;

   

(b) recognition by all ASEAN Member States;

-An applicant State shall be admitted to ASEAN upon signing an Instrument of Accession to the Charter

Article 7: ASEAN Summit

ASEAN Summit Meetings shall be:

-held twice annually, and be hosted by the Member State holding the ASEAN Chairmanship;

- convened, whenever necessary, as special or ad hoc meetings to be chaired by the Member State holding the ASEAN Charimanship, at venues to be agreed upon by ASEAN Member States

Article 9: ASEAN Community Councils

-The ASEAN Community Councils shall comprise the ASEAN Political-Security Community Council, ASEAN Economic Community Council, and ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Council; (ie. The 3 Pillars of ASEAN.)

-Each ASEAN Community Council shall meet at least twice a year and shall be chaired by the appropriate Minister from the Member State holding the ASEAN Chairmanship;

Article 13: ASEAN National Secretariats

Each ASEAN Member State shall establish an ASEAN National Secretariat which shall:

    (a) serve as the national focal point;

    (b) be the repository of information on all ASEAN matters at the national level;

    (c) coordinate the implementation of ASEAN decisions at the national level;

    (d) coordinate and support the national preparations of ASEAN meetings;

    (e) promote ASEAN identity and awareness at the national level;

    (f) contribute to ASEAN community building;

Article 20: Consultation and Consensus

As a basic principle, decision-making in ASEAN shall be based on consultation and consensus;

Article 30: Operational Budget and Finances of the ASEAN Secretariat

The operational budget of the ASEAN Secretariat shall be met by ASEAN Member States through equal annual contributions which shall be remitted in a timely manner;

Article 34: Working Language of ASEAN

The working language of ASEAN shall be English.

Article 35: ASEAN Identity

ASEAN shall promote its common ASEAN identity and a sense of belonging among its peoples in order to achieve its shared destiny, goals, and values.

Article 36: ASEAN Motto

The ASEAN motto shall be: “One Vision, One Identity, One Community“.

Article 37: ASEAN Flag

The ASEAN Flag represents a stable, peaceful, united and dynamic ASEAN;

  

Article 38: ASEAN Emblem

The ASEAN Flag represents a stable, peaceful, united and dynamic ASEAN;

    

Article 39: ASEAN  Day

The eighth of August shall be observed as ASEAN Day.

Article 40: ASEAN Anthem

ASEAN shall have an anthem.

Article 47: Signature, Ratification, Depository, and Entry into Force

-This Charter shall be signed by all ASEAN Member States;

-This Charter shall be subject to ratification by all ASEAN Member States in accordance with their respective internal procedures;

-Instruments of ratification shall be deposited with the Secretary-General of ASEAN who shall promptly notify all Member States of each deposit;

-This Charter shall enter into force on the thirtieth day following the date of deposit of the tenth instrument of ratification with the Secretary-General of ASEAN;

Article 48: Amendments

-Any Member State may propose amendments to the Charter;

-Proposed amendments to the Charter shall be submitted by the ASEAN Coordinating Council by 

consensus to the ASEAN Summit for its decision;

-Amendments to the Charter agreed to by consensus by the ASEAN Summit shall be ratified by all Member States in according with Article 47;

-An amendment shall enter into force on the thirtieth day following the date of deposit of the last instrument of ratification with the Secretary-General of ASEAN;

Article 50: Review

This Charter may be reviewed five years after its entry into force or as otherwise determined by the ASEAN Summit.