ASEAN 212:

THE POSITIONING AND

CONTRIBUTION OF ASEAN IN THE
REGIONAL AND GLOBAL CONTEXT
INTRODUCTION TO THE FIELD OF ASEAN STUDIES, THE DYNAMIC
POSITIONING AND ROLE THAT ASEAN IN THE ASIAN REGION AND
IN THE INTERNATIONAL ARENA, RECORDS OF INTERACTION; AND
SELECTED CURRENT ISSUES FACING THE REGION.
 Geography Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia consists of eleven
countries that reach from eastern
India to China, and is generally
divided into mainland and island
zones.
Mainland Countries
Mainland Countries
Mainland Countries
Mainland Countries
Mainland Countries
 Geography Southeast Asia
The mainland is
actually an extension of
the Asian continent.
 Geography Southeast Asia
Muslims can be found in all
mainland countries, but the most
significant populations are in southern
Thailand and western Burma (Arakan).
The Cham people of central
Vietnam and Cambodia are also Muslim.
 It is also one of the
most dynamic areas of the
world economically, a factor
which largely accounts for its
growing international
significance. Andaya, 2020
Island or Maritime Countries
Island or Maritime Countries
Island or Maritime Countries
Island or Maritime Countries
Island or Maritime Countries
Island or Maritime Countries
FOUNDATIONS
OF ASEAN
 About ASEAN
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: Indonesia, Malaysia,
 Brunei Darussalam joined ASEAN
on 7 January 1984, followed by 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.
 The ASEAN Journey
On 8 August 1967, five leaders – the Foreign
Ministers of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines,
Singapore and Thailand – sat down together in
the main hall of the Department of Foreign Affairs
building in Bangkok, Thailand and signed a
document. By virtue of that document, the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
Founding the
ASEAN
 The five Foreign Ministers who signed it
– Adam Malik of Indonesia, Narciso R. Ramos
of the Philippines, Tun Abdul Razak of Malaysia,
S. Rajaratnam of Singapore, and Thanat
Khoman of Thailand – would subsequently be
hailed as the Founding Fathers of probably the
most successful inter-governmental
organization in the developing world today. And
the document that they signed would be known
as the ASEAN Declaration.
“We the nations and peoples of Southeast Asia, must get
together and form by ourselves a new perspective and a new
framework for our region. It is important that individually and
jointly we should create a deep awareness that we cannot
survive for long as independent but isolated peoples unless we
also think and act together and unless we prove by deeds that
we belong to a family of Southeast Asian nations bound
together by ties of friendship and goodwill and imbued with
our own ideals and aspirations and determined to shape our
own destiny”. He added that, “with the establishment of
ASEAN, we have taken a firm and a bold step on that road”.
–Tun
 The document that they signed,
entitled the ASEAN Declaration and
thereafter also known as the Bangkok
Declaration, had five preambular and five
operative paragraphs. It pledge their
governments to seven “aims and purposes”:
✓ Economic growth, social progress and cultural
development;
✓ Regional peace and stability;
✓ Economic, social, cultural, technical, scientific and
administrative collaboration;
✓ Mutual assistance in training and research;
✓ Collaboration in agriculture and industry, trade,
transportation and communications, and the
improvement of living standards;
✓ Promotion of Southeast Asian Studies; and
✓ Cooperation with regional and international organization.
[Old flag of ASEAN]
 The original ASEAN logo presented
five brown sheaves of rice stalks, one for
each founding member. Beneath the
sheaves is the legend “ASEAN” in blue.
These are set on a field of yellow encircled
by a blue border. Brown stands for strength
and stability, yellow for prosperity and blue
for the spirit of cordiality in which ASEAN
affairs are conducted.
 The logo symbolized the
solidarity of ASEAN and its
commitment to work together for
the aspiration and prosperity of its
people. It also portrays ASEAN's
adherence to the concept of
regional peace and stability within
the global context.
[Flag of ASEAN]
 When ASEAN celebrated its 30th
Anniversary in 1997, the sheaves on the logo
had increased to ten – representing all ten
countries of Southeast Asia and reflecting the
colors of the flags of all of them. In a very real
sense, ASEAN and Southeast Asia would then
be one and the same, just as the Founding
Fathers had envisioned.
"The new 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 countries. The
blue represents peace and stability. Red depicts
courage and dynamism. White shows purity and yellow
symbolizes prosperity. The tens stalks of padi represent
the dream of ASEAN'S Founding Fathers for an ASEAN
comprising all t he ten countries in Southeast Asia
bound together in friendship and solidarity. The circle
represents the unity of ASEAN."
 ASEAN Charter
The ASEAN Charter serves as a firm
foundation in achieving the ASEAN Community
by providing legal status and institutional
framework for ASEAN. It also codifies ASEAN
norms, rules and values; sets clear targets for
ASEAN; and presents accountability and
compliance.
 The ASEAN Charter entered
into force on 15 December 2008.
A gathering of the ASEAN Foreign
Ministers was held at the ASEAN
Secretariat in Jakarta to mark this
very historic occasion for ASEAN.
With the entry into force of the
ASEAN Charter, ASEAN will
henceforth operate under a new legal
framework and establish a number of
new organs to boost its community-
building process
 In effect, the ASEAN Charter has
become a legally binding agreement
among the 10 ASEAN Member States. It
will also be registered with the Secretariat
of the United Nations, pursuant to Article
102, Paragraph 1 of the Charter of the
United Nations.
 The importance of the ASEAN Charter can be seen in the following contexts:
(1)new political commitment at the top level;
(2) new and enhanced commitments;
(3)new legal framework, legal personality;
(4) new ASEAN bodies;
(5) two new openly-recruited DSGs;
(6) more ASEAN meetings;
(7) more roles of ASEAN Foreign Ministers;
(8) new and enhanced role of the Secretary-General of ASEAN;
(9) Other new initiatives and changes.
 ASEAN
STRUCTURE
 ASEAN Summit
This council comprises the ASEAN leaders. It is the
supreme policy – maker in the ASEAN legal Framework.
This is the one that deliberates, provide policy guidance and
decide on strategic issues pertaining to the implementation or
achievement of ASEAN objectives. This council also instruct
the relevant ministers in each of the councils concerned to
told ad hoc inter – ministerial meetings, discussing important
concerning ASEAN and cross sectoral issues.
 ASEAN Coordinating Council
Comprise the Foreign Ministers of ASEAN Member States. A
forum held to prepare meetings of the ASEAN Summit. Coordinates for
implementation of agreement and decisions of ASEAN Summit. This
council is responsible for coordinating with ASEAN Community
Councils to enhance policy synergy and harmony, efficiency and
cooperation among three community councils. Coordinate Community
Council’s report to be discussed in ASEAN Summit. This council is
tasked to consider the annual report on ASEAN progress delivered by
Secretary-General of ASEAN. Taking decision for appointment and
termination of Deputy- Secretaries General of ASEAN upon the
recommendation of the Secretary-General.
 ASEAN CommunityCouncil
Comprise the ASEAN Political-Security,
economic, and Socio-Cultural Community
Council. Each Community Council shall have
under its purview the relevant ASEAN Sectoral
Ministerial Bodies. Each member States shall
designate its national focal point of each
Community Council.
 ASEAN Sectoral/ Ministerial
Bodies
Shall function in conformity with their respective establish
mandates. This is the one that implements the agreements and
decisions of the ASEAN Summit under their respective
purview. It is responsible for strengthening cooperation in their
respective fields in supports of Vietnam and community building.
Tasked to submit reports and recommendation to their respective
Community Council. Such as Senior Official Meeting (SOM),
Senior Official Meeting on Social Welfare and development
(SOMSWD), ASEAN Committee on Women.
 Aims and Purposes of ASEAN
• accelerate the economic growth, social
progress and cultural development in the
region through joint endeavors in the spirit of
equality and partnership in order to strengthen
the foundation for a prosperous and peaceful
community of Southeast Asian Nations;
 Aims and Purposes of ASEAN
• 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;
 Aims and Purposes of ASEAN
• promote active collaboration and
mutual assistance on matters of
common interest in the economic,
social, cultural, technical, scientific and
administrative fields;
 Aims and Purposes of ASEAN
•provide assistance to each other in the
form of training and research facilities in
the educational, professional, technical
and administrative spheres;
 Aims and Purposes of ASEAN
• collaborate more effectively to encourage
further growth in the agriculture and industry,
and trade sectors. This includes improving
transportation and communications facilities and
conducting studies on international commodity
trade with the overarching goal of raising the
living standards of ASEAN peoples;
 Aims and Purposes of ASEAN
• promote Southeast Asian studies; and
maintain close and beneficial cooperation
with existing international and regional
organizations with similar aims and
purposes, and explore all avenues for even
closer cooperation among themselves.
ASEAN MEMBER
STATE
Indonesia
• Commencement Date: 8
August 1967

• Head of State :
President Joko Widodo
• Capital : Jakarta
• Language : Indonesian
• Currency : Rupiah
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs
of Indonesia
Website: www.kemlu.go.id
INDONESIA (Crossroads of Civilization
Since the Beginning of Man), a gigantic
nation of equatorial islands scattered across an
oceanic span of more than 6, 000 kilometers.
Three of the world’s ten biggest islands – Irian
Jaya, Kalimantan and Sumatra
Malaysia
• Commencement Date: 8 August
1967

• Head of State : His Majesty Seri

Paduka Baginda The Yang Di-Pertuan
Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin
Al-Mustafa Billah Shah Ibni Almarhum
Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta’in
Billah
• Head of Government : Prime Minister
Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim
• Capital : Kuala Lumpur
• Language(s) : Malay, English, Chinese,
Tamil
• Currency : Ringgit
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia
Website: www.kln.gov.my
• ASEAN-Malaysia National Secretariat
Website: www.kln.gov.my/myasean
 MALAYSIA (Land of Sultans and
Strategic Ports), the role of Malaysia
as a major trading crossroads has
greatly affected its built cultural
heritage.
Philippines
• Commencement Date: 8
August 1967

• Head of State : President

Ferdinand Romualdez
Marcos Jr.
• Capital : Manila
• Language(s) : Filipino,
English, Spanish
• Currency : Peso
• Department of Foreign
Affairs of the Philippines
Website: www.dfa.gov.ph
 THE PHILIPPINES (A New Dialect
Every Hundred Islands), has thousands of
islands, visited by seasonal monsoons and
typhoons, were also visited by migrating
peoples who arrived across land bridges,
now submerged, and in dugout boats.
Singapore
• Commencement Date: 8
August 1967

• Head of State : President

Halimah Yacob
• Head of Government : Prime
Minister Lee Hsien Loong
• Capital : Singapore
• Language(s) : English, Malay,
Mandarin, Tamil
• Currency : S$ (Singapore
Dollar)
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of
Singapore
Website: www.mfa.gov.sg
SINGAPORE (From Fishing Village to
City – State), once before an imperial
trading outpost. It most sheltered pirates and
remain a barren and sparsely populated
locale given primarily to fishing.
Thailand
Commencement Date: 8
August 1967
• Head of State : His Majesty King
Maha Vajiralongkorn
Bodindradebayavarangkun
• Head of Government : Prime
Minister General Prayut Chan-o-
cha
• Capital : Bangkok
• Language : Thai
• Currency : Baht
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of
Thailand Website: www.mfa.go.th
 THAILAND (A Heritage of Movable
Buddhist Kingdom), has known human
settlement for 30, 000 years. Its landmass
was once connected to the islands of Java
and Sumatra. Now the sea intervenes.
Brunei Darussalam
Commencement Date:
7 January 1984
• Head of State : His Majesty
Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah
Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah
• Capital : Bandar Seri
Begawan
• Language(s) : Malay, English
• Currency : B$ (Brunei Dollar)
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs &
Trade of Brunei Darussalam
Website: www.mfa.gov.bn
 BRUNEI Darussalam (The Abode of Peace),
a small Malay sultanate in the northwest of
Borneo, flanked by Sarawak to the west and
Sabah to the east. For more than a thousand
years, this small coastal area of the mouth of the
Brunei River bordering on dense jungle has
invited traders and settlers to its calm moorings.
Vietnam
Commencement Date:
28 July 1995
• Head of State : President Vo
Van Thuong
• Head of Government : Prime
Minister Pham Minh Chinh
• Capital : Ha Noi
• Language : Vietnamese
• Currency : Dong
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of
Viet Nam
Website: www.mofa.gov.vn
Vietnam is a S-shaped country. It is bordered
by China, Cambodia and Laos. It is known for its
rich history, diverse culture, stunning landscapes,
and delicious cuisine. With a long coastline, lush rice
paddies, towering mountains, and vibrant cities, it
offers a wealth of natural beauty and cultural
richness. The country is famous for its flavorful
cuisine and rich cultural heritage.
Lao PDR
Commencement Date:
23 July 1997
• Head of State : President
Thongloun Sisoulith
• Head of Government : Prime
Minister Sonexay Siphandone
• Capital : Vientiane
• Language : Lao
• Currency : Kip
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lao
PDR Website: www.mofa.gov.la
 LAO PDR (Land of a Million Elephants),
a landlinked country bordering Myanmar,
Cambodia, China, Thailand, and Vietnam.
About 6.5 million people live in its 18
provinces, with most people – 68 percent –
still living in rural areas.
Myanmar
Commencement Date: 23 July
1997

• Head of State :
President U Win Myint
• Capital : Nay Pyi Taw
• Language : Myanmar
• Currency : Kyat
• Ministry of Foreign
Affairs of Myanmar
Website: www.mofa.gov.
mm
 MYANMAR (Land of Golden Pagodas),
shaped like a kite with a long tail that runs south
along the Malay Peninsula. The country has been
engrossed in rampant ethnic strife and its myriad
ethnic groups have been involved in one of the
world's longest-running ongoing civil wars.
Cambodia
Commencement Date: 30 April
1999

• Head of State : His Majesty King

Norodom Sihamoni
• Head of Government : Prime
Minister Hun Sen
• Capital : Phnom Penh
• Language : Khmer
• Currency : Riel
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs &
International Cooperation of
Cambodia
Website: www.mfaic.gov.kh
 CAMBODIA (Land of Spectacular
Ruins), largely a land of plains and
great rivers and lies amid important
overland and river trade routes
linking China to India and Southeast
Asia.
Prepared by: Christine Joy B. Beatingo