ASEAN: Definition, Impact, and History PDF

# ASEAN ## Topic : ASEAN ### Definition of ASEAN * **ASEAN** is the **Association of Southeast Asian Nations**. * It consists of **10 nations**: Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, The Philippines, Singapore, Brunei, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Cambodia. * **Aim**: To promote **economic and secu...

# ASEAN ## Topic : ASEAN ### Definition of ASEAN * **ASEAN** is the **Association of Southeast Asian Nations**. * It consists of **10 nations**: Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, The Philippines, Singapore, Brunei, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Cambodia. * **Aim**: To promote **economic and security cooperation** among all member states. * **Official observer of APEC** * **21 member group** that promotes **free trade and sustainable development** within the **Pacific Rim countries**. ### ASEAN Impact * Experts say that there are **multiple impacts** of ASEAN. * However, it **lacks strategic vision**, due to member states having **diverging priorities and weakening relationships**. * The biggest **challenge** is a **unified approach** toward **China**, particularly in response to the **South China Sea disputes** and responding towards **Myanmar's civil war**. ## History of ASEAN * **Founded in 1967** by signing the **Bangkok Declaration**. * **Five founding members**: Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, The Philippines, and Singapore. * The **five foreign ministers** are considered the **founding fathers of ASEAN**. * It is one of the **strongest allegiances in the modern world**. * **Original purpose**: To calm tensions between its member states. * **ASEAN** came into existence due to a **dispute** between **The Philippines and Malaysia**, which **Thailand** was trying to **mediate**. * In **1976**, member states signed the **Treaty of Amity and Cooperation** in **South East Asia**. * It **emphasised** mutual respect and non-interference in other countries' affairs. ### ASEAN Declaration * The **ASEAN Declaration** bought ASEAN member states together, not only to address the **developmental aspects of the alliance**, but also to do it in such a way that **aided the rule of law and justice** that are aided in the **UN charter**. ## ASEAN Expansion * Two events that **paved the way for more states to join ASEAN**: * The **resolution of civil war in Cambodia** in 1991. * The **normalization of relations** between the **USA and Vietnam** in 1995. * Other countries that **joined ASEAN** (BLMVC): * Brunei (1984) * Laos (1997) * Malaysia (1984) * Vietnam (1995) * Cambodia (1999) ### Aims of ASEAN * **AIMS of ASEAN in the ASEAN Declaration**: * Economic growth, social progress, and cultural development in the region. * Regional stability and peace. * Agricultural cooperation among member states. ### ASEAN Charter * The **ASEAN Charter** is a **constitutional instrument**. * **Adopted on November 2007** and **came into force on 15 December 2008**. * It is a **foundation for achieving the ASEAN community** by providing a **legal framework on status and institutional framework for ASEAN**. ### Importance of the ASEAN Charter * It clearly gives more clarification on the running of the organization. * **More ASEAN unity** and **more of the role of ASEAN Secretary General**. * **Unbalanced role of the foreign ministers of ASEAN**. #### Roles and Obligations of Member States according to the Charter * **Equal rights and obligations** of all member states (no special clause for any state). * Necessary actions are taken to **effectively implement the provisions of the charter**. ## ASEAN Secretariat * **Set up in February 1976**. * It works to **effectively provide cooperation in the organization** and **effectively implement the ASEAN projects and activities**. ### Composition of the Secretariat (8) * Assistant to the Secretary General * 3 Bureau Directors * Foreign Trade Economic Relations Offices * Public Information Officer * Administration Director Offices ## The Three Community Pillars of ASEAN (established in 2003) ### ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) * **Security community**. * **Rule-based community** of shared values and norms that **pledges** its validity on peaceful processes in the settlements of disputes. * Territorial disputes should **not escalate to violence and armed confrontation**; instead, they should **adhere to peace and non-violence**. * **Blueprint** based on the **ASEAN Charter**. ### ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) * **Socio-economic community**. * The **basis** of the rules, norms, and goals of **economic integration**. * A **product of the region's end goal of economic integration**. * **Objective**: To create a **common market and production base within ASEAN states** to **avoid social and economic disalignment within the region**. * Focused on **negotiating FTAs** for investment, labor, and services. ### ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) * **A rule-based community** of shared values and norms that **pledges** its validity on **peaceful processes** in the **settlements of disputes**. * **Territorial disputes** should **not escalate to violence and armed confrontation**; instead, they should **adhere to peace and non-violence**. * **Blueprint** based on the **ASEAN Charter**. ## ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) * **Established in 1994**. * An **organization that carries out coordination of security and foreign policy**. * An **important platform for security dialogue in the Indo-Pacific**. ### ARF Objectives * To **further constructive dialogue** and **conciliation on political security issues of common interest** and efforts towards confidence building & preventative diplomacy in the Indo-Pacific region. ## ASEAN Summit * **Held twice a year**. * **Aims**: * To create a **committed, socially responsible community** for the benefit of ASEAN people. * To create a **dynamic** and **harmonious community** that is aware and **proud of its identity, culture, and heritage**. * **Discussions**: Focus on **economic, political, security, and socio-cultural developments of Southeast Asian countries**. * **Hosted by the member state** that is **holding the ASEAN chairmanship**. * **Occurs every year.** * **Other internal meetings** are also held with other alliances (e.g., APT, ASEAN+CER). * **2023 Summits**: * The **first meeting** was held in **Melbourne, Australia, to commemorate Australia's alliance with ASEAN for 50 years** and being ASEAN's first substantial partner (**March**). * The **second meeting** will occur in **Vientiane, Laos (October)**. ## ASEAN Vision 2025 * A **declaration signed by ASEAN leaders in 2015** that charts the path of the **ASEAN community from 2015-2025 (10-year plan)**. * **Aim**: To **further consolidate and integrate** a **stronger community** by **emphasizing fundamental freedoms, human rights, and better lives for ASEAN people**. ### Economic Outlook of ASEAN * **Total GDP in 2022**: 1.6 trillion USD. * **Continued strong growth** in the **ASEAN region** was envisaged in 2024. * **ASEAN** will **remain one of the fastest growing regions of the world economy** over the decade ahead (excluding India and China). * It will become the **three main growth engines of the Asian economy**. ## ASEAN+3 Countries (APT) * **Began in 1997**. * **Promotes cooperative frameworks** in the region in order to **broaden ASEAN political security, trade, investment, tourism, etc**. * **Supports the efforts of meeting the goals of the ASEAN Vision 2025**. ## APT Cooperation Work Plan (2023-27) * One of the **most comprehensive cooperation frameworks in the region**. * **Serves as a principle guide** to enhance **APT cooperation** over the next few years, towards achieving **long-term goals of establishing an East Asian community with ASEAN**. * The **(2018-22) framework** sought to **enhance cooperation in wide areas, such as technology, social welfare, disaster management, etc**. ## ASEAN-India Relations * **Initially, India** was **desperate for this relationship** to happen. * **The relationship evolved** later on. * **Early 1990s:** India introduced the **"Look East Policy"**. * **1992:** India became a **Sectoral Partner**. * **1996:** India became a **Dialogue Partner**. * **2002:** India became a **Summit Level Partner**. ### "Act East Policy" (2014) * Announced in the **12th summit**. * Conveys a **clear intent on the part of India to enhance engagement with ASEAN**. * **30 different dialogue mechanisms** between India and the ASEAN states focusing on a large number of sectors. * **23 bilateral agreements** were signed in **commerce, trade, defense, military domains**. ## ASEAN Internal Meetings * **AMMSWD (ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Social Welfare & Development)** * A **meeting of the ministers in charge of social welfare development in ASEAN member countries**. * **Work**: * **Develop evidence-based studies and action research**. * **Create guidelines** for **promoting the welfare of vulnerable groups**. * **Address vulnerabilities** in the region. * **AICHR (ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights)** * **Oct 2009**. * **Concalls responsibility for the promotion and protection of human rights in ASEAN**. * **ACWC (ASEAN Commission on the Promotion & Protection of Women & Children)** * **7th April 2010**. * **Promotes and protects the human rights and fundamental freedom of women and children in ASEAN**. * **"Look East Policy"**: * An effort to **cultivate extensive economic and strategic relations with South East Asian regions**. * **Launched by Narashima Rao**. * **"Act East Policy"**: * An **upgrade of the "Look East Policy"**. * To **promote economic cooperation, cultural ties, and develop strategic relationships with countries in the Asia-Pacific region** through continuous engagement at **bilateral, regional, and multilateral levels**. * **ASEAN Future Forum (2025)** in **Hanoi on Feb 25-26 (AFF)**. * A **multi-stakeholder dialogue platform** that **discusses the future of ASEAN**.