ASEAN

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is an intergovernmental forum of all 11 states in Southeast Asia. ASEAN primarily focuses on Southeast Asian economic development, peaceful coexistence and adherence to international norms. ASEAN operates on the principle of consensus and respecting national sovereignty, meaning that ASEAN as a whole cannot force another member state to change its domestic laws. ASEAN has a population of more than 680 million people and a purchasing power parity-adjusted gross domestic product (GDP) of around 6 % global GDP. ASEAN member states represent a diverse set of economies: the least developed countries like Laos, to emerging economies like Vietnam, to developed economies like Singapore. Many Southeast Asian projects have originated from decentralized initiatives between member states, such as the ASEAN Power Grid, ASEAN Free Trade Area, ASEAN Integrated QR Code Payment System, or the mutual ASEAN visa-free policies. Every two years, it organizes a sporting event to promote cultural exchange known as SEA Games. ASEAN has strong ties with East Asian and South Asian countries. It has a vested interest in the security of the South China Sea and the greater Indo-Pacific region. In terms of diplomacy, ASEAN operates on a principle of centrality, meaning that all concerns from other countries or organizations about Southeast Asia should be routed to ASEAN instead of individual states. All Southeast Asian countries, many great powers, and international organizations have dedicated diplomatic presence near ASEAN headquarters in Jakarta. The roots of ASEAN came from the ASEAN Declaration signed by five Southeast Asian countries in 1967. Originally, ASEAN was founded to contain communism, but gradually ASEAN was reoriented to focus on economic development and prevent foreign interference in Southeast Asia as a whole. As ASEAN expanded and admitted other countries, the member states eventually signed a binding ASEAN Charter in 2008. As of 2026, ASEAN are currently dealing with many threats, such as the worsening civil war in Myanmar, territorial disputes in the South China Sea and managing U .–China tensions. Nevertheless, it is widely considered to be a successful example of regional collaboration, and its emphasis on de facto standards is seen as an opposite to the legal nature of the European Union.