ASEAN

Intro (Chi): Hello everyone, i’m Chi. Welcome back to our programme “To know
about international organisations”.
Last week, we studied about NGOs in VietNam and had a memorable trip to the
Green One UN House. This week, I am going to talk about the Association of South East
Asian Nations, commonly known as ASEAN with our 2 new friends, Ánh and Hương.
- We will talk about five main contents: From the history, the aims, the structure to
the activities of this organization to its relations with Vietnam
- Here are some figures and timelines when it comes to ASEAN
- And these are ASEAN member states
 1. History (Ánh)
Let's explore the history of ASEAN together. Here I find 3 main reasons leading to the
establishment of ASEAN. Firstly,... After 1945, independent states in Southeast Asia were
born and there were initiatives on the establishment of regional organizations. As we see
here are ASA (1961) & MAPHILINDO (1963). However, these two organizations have both
failed due to territorial disputes between member countries. At the same time in the world,
the cold war and the bipolar world order are taking place. They do not want to be drawn
into the East-West conflict. And the situation is more tense due to the US bog in the war in
Vietnam. In addition, the establishment of ASEAN is also an effort to the spread of
communism in the region. All of the above reasons are the conditions for the establishment
of ASEAN.
Therefore, 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.
2. Aims (Chi)
Next up, I will talk about the aims and the fundamental principles of this
organization.
I think many people have known that ASEAN’s motto is “One Vision, One Identity,
One Community”, so I will tell you guys about ASEAN’s aims.
ASEAN Declaration has set out seven aims and purposes:
- The 1st one is: Accelerate the economic growth, social progress and cultural
development in the region
 In order to strengthen the foundation for a prosperous and peaceful
community of Southeast Asian Nations;
- The 2nd one is: 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;
- The 3rd one is: Promote active collaboration and mutual assistance on matters of
common interest
- Also, ASEAN member states provide assistance to each other in the form of
training and research facilities
- In addition, collaborate more effectively to encourage further growth in the
agriculture and industry, and trade sectors.
- Moreover, promote Southeast Asian studies;
- And last but not least, maintain close and beneficial cooperation with existing
international and regional organizations
The ASEAN Member States also adopted the following fundamental principles in
their relations with one another, contained in the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in
Southest Asia (TACC) of 1976:
 3. Structure (Ánh)
This diagram I have referenced from the textbook "International Organizations" and
"ASEAN Charter". First, we'll go from the top down.
The ASEAN Summit shall comprise the Heads of State/Government of the Member
States. It’s the supreme policy - making body of ASEAN. The meetings shall be held twice
annually, chaired by the country holding the chairmanship.
Next, let’s see the ASEAN coordinating council. It comprises the ASEAN Foreign
Ministers and meet at least twice a year. They are responsible for coordinating cooperation
activities as well as preparing for high-level conferences.
About ASEAN Community Council, we will point out the most common points. As you
can see, they have 3 community councils. Each council has specialized ministerial bodies
and the member States send representatives to participate. These councils are responsible
for monitoring and coordinating cooperation on each community pillar.
ASEAN Secretariat shall be appointed by the ASEAN Summit for non - renewable term
of 5 years and selected from among nationals of ASEAN Member States based on
alphabetical rotation. They are the body that provides administrative support to ASEAN
activities, as well as monitors the progress of agreements and decisions.
Each country members shall appoint permanent representatives. This is the
representative body for the member countries to monitor and coordinate the daily
cooperation activities of ASEAN.
ASEAN National Secretariats. Each member state shall establish a national
secretariat. It coordinate the implementation of ASEAN decisions at national level. Besides,
it also promote ASEAN identity and awareness at national level.
Besides, there are 2 other ASEAN agencies that I have not included in the chart.
Please refer to the information here.
 4. Acts (Hương)
Welcome to my section - About the Acts of ASEAN.
According to the ASEAN Charter, all member states follow these three working
principles that are the most important.
Firstly, decision-making in ASEAN shall be based on consultation and consensus. All
issues of ASEAN must be consulted with all member states, the decision is only adopted
when all member states agree.
Secondly, in the conduct of external relations of ASEAN, Member States shall, based
on unity and solidarity, coordinate and endeavor to develop common positions and pursue
joint actions.
Finally, ASEAN is progressive and comfortable with all parties: regional cooperation
must be carried out step by step, ensuring that it is by the interests and capabilities of the
countries. All members can participate, contribute, and ensure no one is left behind.
All of ASEAN’s works are to achieve ASEAN’s goals and objectives. ASEAN strives to
maintain peace and stability, integrate the markets, and leave no one behind, through the
three Community pillars: Political‐Security, Economic, and Socio ‐Cultural. They are all in
action at the meeting level and policy level.
The ASEAN Political‐Security Community shall aim to ensure that countries in the
region live at peace with one another and with the world in a just, democratic, and
harmonious environment.
About ASEAN Regional Forum, we have some basic information such as the time
establishment, its aims and its member states
The ASEAN Economic Community shall establish ASEAN as a single market and
production base, turning the diversity that characterizes the region into opportunities for
business complementation and making ASEAN a more dynamic and stronger segment of
the global supply chain.
About ASEAN Free Trade Area, here we have some basic information: the time
establishment, the aims and how it work
The ASEAN Socio‐Cultural Community shall foster cooperation in social development
aimed at raising the standard of living of disadvantaged groups, the rural population and
seek the active involvement of all sectors of society
In this area, we have a long list of the ongoing activities of ASEAN
ASEAN’s works also have Cross-Sectoral Initiatives that connect three pillars and
support them efficiently
 Okay, these are all about the internal works of ASEAN. And how about external
relations?
ASEAN develops cooperative relations with its Dialogue Partners and maintains
contact with other inter-governmental organizations.
Most ASEAN Member Countries also participate actively in the activities of the Asia-
Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), and the East Asia-
Latin America Forum (EALAF).
About the ASEAN Plus Three, here are their time establishment, their aims, their
member states and their working areas.
That's all I want to share with you guys. Let's go to the final section presented by
Quỳnh Chi.
 5. Relationship with Vietnam (Chi)
5.1. Vietnam to ASEAN
As you can see on the slide, this is the whole process of Vietnam’s contribution to
ASEAN, from joining in 1995 to serving as the rotating chairman of the ASEAN Committee in
Buenos Aires
5.2. ASEAN to Vietnam
Being an ASEAN member has helped Vietnam develop in many fields:
- First of all, it facilitates Vietnam creating and maintaining peaceful, stable and
propitious environment for economic growth
- Additionally, ASEAN's shared stance and central role have enabled Vietnam to
apply regional principles and mechanisms
- Moreover, Vietnam can also take advantage of cooperation, support and
resources from ASEAN as well as partners to serve purposes namely socio-
economic development, which contribute to improve people's lives
- Also, ASEAN integration also gives Vietnam momentum for expanding
international economic linkages: as ASEAN is an important import-export market
and source of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the period when Vietnam began
to open its economy.
- ASEAN also assists Vietnam in closing the gap in development and better
connecting with economies inside and outside the region.
- And last but not least, ASEAN is a “playing field” that helps Vietnam gain more
experience in international integration also a better position to participate and
play an active role in multilateral cooperation organizations on a larger scale.

Ending (Chi): That’s all about ASEAN we want to talk to you guys. Thankyou Ánh and
Hương for spending time here and sharing your knowledge about the Association of South
East Asian Nations. Thanks for watching today’s episode and i’ll see u soon!