ASEAN facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Association of Southeast Asian Nations Burmese: အရှေ့တောင်အာရှနိုင်ငံများအသင်း aashaetaungaarsh ninenganmyarr aahpwal Filipino: Samahan ng mga Bansa sa Timog-silangang Asya Indonesian: Perhimpunan Bangsa-Bangsa Asia Tenggara Khmer: សមាគមប្រជាជាតិអាស៊ីអាគ្នេយ៍ Samakom Pracheacheat Asi Akne Lao: ສະມາຄົມປະຊາຊາດແຫ່ງອາຊີຕະເວັນອອກສຽງໃຕ້ Samakhom pasasat haeng asi tawen-ok siang tai Malay: Persatuan Negara-negara Asia Tenggara Mandarin: 亞細安組織 東南亞國家聯盟 東南亞國家協會 Yàxì'ān zǔzhī Dōngnányà guójiā liánméng Dōngnányà guójiā xiéhuì Portuguese: Associação das Nações do Sudeste Asiático Tamil: தென்கிழக்காசிய நாடுகளின் கூட்டமைப்பு Teṉkiḻakkāciya nāṭukaḷiṉ kūṭṭamaippu Tetum: Asosiasaun Nasoins Sudeste Aziátiku Thai: สมาคมประชาชาติแห่งเอเชียตะวันออกเฉียงใต้ Samakhom prachachat haeng echia tawan ok chiang tai Vietnamese: Hiệp hội các quốc gia Đông Nam Á 協會各國家東南亞
Flag Emblem
Motto: "One Vision, One Identity, One Community"
Anthem: "The ASEAN Way"
Member states shown in dark green
Headquarters	Jakarta, Indonesia 6°14′20″S 106°47′57″E / 6.23889°S 106.79917°E / -6.23889; 106.79917
Largest city	Jakarta, Indonesia
Working language	English
Other languages	Burmese Chinese (Mandarin) Filipino Indonesian Khmer Lao Malay Portuguese Tamil Tetum Thai Vietnamese
Type	Regional organisation
Membership	11 members  Brunei  Cambodia  Indonesia  Laos  Malaysia  Myanmar  Philippines  Singapore  Thailand  Timor-Leste  Vietnam 1 observer  Papua New Guinea
Leaders
• Chairman	Anwar Ibrahim (Malaysia)
• Secretary-General	Kao Kim Hourn (Cambodia)
Legislature	The ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly
Establishment
• Bangkok Declaration	8 August 1967 (58 years ago) (8 August 1967)
• Charter	16 December 2008 (16 years ago) (16 December 2008)
Area
• Total	4,522,518 km2 (1,746,154 sq mi)
Population
• 2023 estimate	683,290,000
• Density	144/km2 (373.0/sq mi)
GDP (PPP)	2025 estimate
• Total	$13.152 trillion
• Per capita	$19,218
GDP (nominal)	2025 estimate
• Total	$4.167 trillion
• Per capita	$5,957
HDI (2023)	0.745 high
Time zone	UTC+06:30 to +09:00
Preceded by Association of Southeast Asia

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, often called ASEAN, is a special group of 11 countries in Southeast Asia. These countries work together to help each other grow economically and stay safe. Imagine them as a team, helping each other succeed!

More than 600 million people live in ASEAN countries. Their total land area is huge, over 4.5 million square kilometers. Together, they form one of the world's fastest-growing economic areas. ASEAN is very important for the whole East Asia region.

ASEAN's main goals are to make the region grow faster in terms of economy, social life, and culture. They also want to keep peace and stability. They do this by respecting fairness and laws, following the rules of the United Nations.

The current leader of ASEAN, called the Secretary-General, is Kao Kim Hourn. This year, Malaysia is the chairman, led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

ASEAN also works with many other groups and countries around the world. It's a big partner with the United Nations and other important organizations. This helps ASEAN countries build strong friendships and work together on global issues. ASEAN's success has even inspired other large trade groups like APEC.

History of ASEAN: How It Started and Grew

Early Influences on Southeast Asia

Southeast Asian countries are located in a very important place. They are a bridge between East Asia and South Asia, near busy trade routes in the South China Sea and Indian Ocean. Because of this, they have been influenced by many cultures, including Islamic and Persian ideas, long before Europeans arrived.

For thousands of years, this region was a hub for trade. This brought new ideas and writing systems. For example, different types of scripts were used to write languages like Old Malay.

Later, many European countries came and took control of most of these lands. This is called European colonialism. Countries like Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia, Philippines, and Timor-Leste were once colonies. Only Thailand managed to stay independent, acting as a buffer between British and French colonies. During this time, European religions, technologies, and the Latin alphabet were introduced.

During World War II, Japan tried to unite Asian countries against Western control. However, Japan's role in the war changed things. After the war, many Southeast Asian countries fought for and gained their independence. This led to the independent nations we see in ASEAN today.

The Formation of ASEAN

Signing of the ASEAN Declaration by five Foreign Ministers in Bangkok on 8 August 1967

Before ASEAN, there was a group called the Association of Southeast Asia (ASA), started in 1961 by Thailand, the Philippines, and Malaya.

ASEAN itself began on August 8, 1967. Five countries—Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand—signed an important paper called the ASEAN Declaration in Bangkok. This declaration stated that ASEAN would work to speed up economic growth, social progress, and cultural development. They also wanted to keep peace and stability in the region.

ASEAN's Big Five — (L to R) Philippine Foreign Secretary Narciso Ramos, Indonesian Foreign Minister Adam Malik, Thai Foreign Minister Thanat Khoman, Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak, and Singaporean Foreign Minister S. Rajaratnam.

At first, ASEAN was formed to help countries work together against political challenges after World War II. They wanted to ensure peace and prevent conflicts from spreading.

ASEAN held its first big meeting, called a summit, in Bali, Indonesia, in 1976. Here, they agreed on projects and signed a Treaty of Amity and Cooperation. This treaty helped build friendships and cooperation. As time went on, especially in the 1990s, ASEAN became a strong voice for trade and safety in the region.

In 1995, ASEAN countries signed a special treaty to make Southeast Asia a nuclear-weapon-free zone. This means no nuclear weapons are allowed in the region, helping to keep everyone safe.

ASEAN's Growth and New Members

Over the years, more countries joined the ASEAN family.

• In 1984, Brunei became the sixth member.
• In 1995, Vietnam joined.
• In 1997, Laos and Myanmar became members.
• Cambodia joined in 1999 after some internal challenges were resolved.
• Most recently, Timor-Leste joined ASEAN on October 26, 2025.

ASEAN also gained a special "observer status" at the United Nations General Assembly in 2006. This means ASEAN can attend UN meetings and share its views. In return, the UN became a "dialogue partner" with ASEAN, meaning they talk and work together.

The ASEAN Charter: A Rulebook for Cooperation

In 2008, ASEAN countries launched the ASEAN Charter. This important document made ASEAN a legal organization, like a country has a constitution. The goal was to create a stronger community, similar to how countries in the European Union work together. The charter aimed to create a single market for trade, connecting over 500 million people.

The charter also led to the creation of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) in 2009. This group works to promote and protect human rights in the region. In 2012, they adopted the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration.

The leadership of ASEAN changes each year. A different member country takes on the role of chairman. Malaysia is the chairman for 2025.

ASEAN Chairs

Year	Country
2008	Thailand
2009
2010	Vietnam
2011	Indonesia
2012	Cambodia
2013	Brunei
2014	Myanmar
2015	Malaysia
2016	Laos
2017	Philippines
2018	Singapore
2019	Thailand
2020	Vietnam
2021	Brunei
2022	Cambodia
2023	Indonesia
2024	Laos
2025	Malaysia

ASEAN's Response to Health Challenges

ASEAN works together to protect people's health, especially during widespread sicknesses like pandemics. They cooperate with other countries to create quick and effective responses.

Working Together During SARS

During the SARS outbreak, ASEAN and its partners worked to share information and best practices. They also improved health checks for travelers to stop the disease from spreading.

Responding to the H1N1 Pandemic

In 2009, ASEAN health ministers met to discuss the H1N1 pandemic. They set up hotlines for health authorities and formed joint teams to respond to the virus. They also boosted research efforts.

Addressing Challenges in Myanmar

Since 2017, political and social situations in Myanmar have created challenges for ASEAN. These events have tested ASEAN's traditions of unity and cooperation.

Challenges for the Rohingya People

In 2017, a difficult situation involving the Rohingya people in Myanmar caused many to leave their homes. This led to global concern, and ASEAN worked to address the challenges and help find solutions.

Political Changes in 2021

Special ASEAN summit on the 2021 Myanmar coup

In February 2021, there were significant political changes in Myanmar. A military government took control, leading to protests and resistance. ASEAN faced pressure to act and worked to find a peaceful way forward for the region.

ASEAN Member Countries

Map showing the member states of ASEAN

A clickable Euler diagram showing the relationships between various Asian regional organisations v • d • e

List of Member States

Here are the countries that are part of ASEAN:

State	Accession
Brunei Darussalam	January 7, 1984
Cambodia	April 30, 1999
Indonesia	August 8, 1967
Laos	July 23, 1997
Malaysia	August 8, 1967
Myanmar	July 23, 1997
Philippines	August 8, 1967
Singapore	August 8, 1967
Thailand	August 8, 1967
Timor-Leste	October 26, 2025
Vietnam	July 28, 1995

Observer and Partner States

Papua New Guinea has been an observer state since 1976, meaning it attends some meetings. Other countries like Bangladesh and Fiji are also interested in joining or having observer status.

ASEAN also has "dialogue partners" like Australia, Canada, China, European Union, India, Japan, New Zealand, Russia, South Korea, United Kingdom and United States. These partners work closely with ASEAN on many topics.

People and Cities in ASEAN

In 2019, about 655 million people lived in ASEAN countries. By 2025, this number grew to around 700 million! The population is growing by about 1.1% each year.

Major Cities in ASEAN

Many large and bustling cities are found in ASEAN. Here are some of the biggest metropolitan areas:

Metropolitan area	Core city	Population	Country	Census year
Greater Jakarta	Jakarta	31,673,824	Indonesia	2020
Greater Manila Area	Manila	28,250,517	Philippines	2020
Ho Chi Minh City metropolitan area	Ho Chi Minh	21,281,639	Vietnam	2019
Hanoi Capital Region	Hanoi	19,980,000	Vietnam	2019
Bangkok Metropolitan Region	Bangkok	10,696,258	Thailand	2020
Greater Surabaya	Surabaya	9,924,509	Indonesia	2020
Greater Bandung	Bandung	8,790,308	Indonesia	2020
Klang Valley	Kuala Lumpur	8,455,029	Malaysia	2020

The ASEAN Way: How Countries Work Together

The ASEAN Way is a special method for solving problems that respects the cultures of Southeast Asia. It's about being informal and personal. Leaders often use compromise, agreement, and discussion to make decisions.

This approach focuses on solving problems peacefully, without conflict. Quiet talks allow leaders to communicate without making everything public. This helps avoid embarrassment that could lead to more disagreements. Some people think the ASEAN Way could even help solve global conflicts.

How ASEAN is Organized

ASEAN Secretariat in South Jakarta, Indonesia

In 1997, ASEAN leaders created the ASEAN Vision 2020. This vision aimed for a peaceful and stable region, without nuclear weapons, with strong economies, and a focus on human and sustainable development. It also wanted ASEAN to play a big role in international discussions.

This vision became more detailed with the Bali Concord II in 2003. Three main parts, or "pillars," were set up for the ASEAN community:

• Political-Security Community (APSC)
• Economic Community (AEC)
• Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC)

These pillars were planned to be fully integrated by 2015.

The Political-Security Community (APSC)

The APSC aims to create a strong and safe environment within ASEAN. It works to make sure countries feel responsible for overall security and work together in a connected world.

One part of this is the ASEAN Defense Industry Collaboration (ADIC). This group helps ASEAN countries work together to develop their own defense industries. The goal is to reduce how much they rely on other countries for defense products. They also work on training and building skills for their workforce.

Another group, ASEANAPOL, helps police forces from member countries cooperate to fight crime.

The Economic Community (AEC)

ASEAN leaders sign the declaration of the ASEAN Economic Community during the 27th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, 2015.

The AEC aims to create a "single market" for all member countries. This means making it easier for goods, services, skilled workers, and investments to move freely between countries. The goal is to make ASEAN a highly competitive economic region that is fair and fully connected to the global economy.

To achieve this, they focus on:

• Developing human skills.
• Recognizing professional qualifications across borders.
• Working closely on economic policies.
• Improving transportation and communication links.
• Integrating industries for regional supply.
• Getting more private businesses involved.

Ensuring Food Security

ASEAN countries know how important it is to have enough food for everyone. They work to strengthen food security to keep the region stable and prosperous. This is especially important because of challenges like climate change, which can affect farming and fishing.

By making trade in food products like rice and maize easier, ASEAN aims to achieve food security together. This helps reduce the cost of food and ensures a steady supply for all member states.

The Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC)

The ASCC wants to create an ASEAN community that focuses on its people and is socially responsible. It aims for lasting unity and a common identity among ASEAN countries and their people. The goal is to build a caring and sharing society where everyone's well-being and livelihood are improved.

Key areas of focus include:

• Human development.
• Social welfare and protection.
• Fairness and rights for all.
• Protecting the environment.
• Building a shared ASEAN identity.
• Reducing differences in development between countries.

ASEAN's Economy

GDP statistics by country, in 2025

Country	Population (millions)	GDP Nominal		GDP (PPP)
		millions of USD	per capita USD	millions of Int$	per capita Int$
Indonesia	279.965	1,430,000 2025f)	5,030	5,010,000	17,610
Singapore	5.938	564,770 2025f)	92,930	952,640	156,760
Thailand	65.975	546,220 2025f)	7,770	1,850,000	26,320
Philippines	114.161	497,500 2025f)	4,350	1,480,000	12,920
Vietnam	100.770	490,970 2025f)	4,810	1,790,000	17,689
Malaysia	33.460	444,980 2025f)	13,140	1,470,000	43,470
Myanmar	54.506	64,940 2025f)	1,180	326,890	5,920
Cambodia	17.182	49,800 2025f)	2,870	150,050	8,650
Laos	7.686	16,320 2025f)	2,100	78,850	10,120
Brunei	0.442	16,010 2025f)	34,970	43,830	95,760
Timor-Leste	1.355	2,130 2025f)	1,490	6,970	4,920
ASEAN	684.376	4,076,690	5,957	13,152,260	19,218

The flags of the ASEAN member states in Jakarta, Indonesia

ASEAN aims for strong economic integration, creating a single market. From 1989 to 2009, member countries saw economic growth between 3.8% and 7% each year. This was faster than many other regions.

The ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA), started in 1992, helps goods move freely between member countries by reducing taxes on imports. This makes products cheaper and helps businesses grow. ASEAN's goal is to have zero import taxes between member states by 2016.

Experts believe that ASEAN could become the world's fourth-largest economy by 2030.

ASEAN's Internal Market: Working as One

ASEAN planned to create a single market by the end of 2015, allowing goods, services, skilled workers, and money to move freely. The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) was formed in 2015, and they continue to work towards this goal.

Trade between ASEAN countries has been growing. In 2010, foreign investments in ASEAN doubled to US$75.8 billion. This shows that many international businesses see ASEAN as a great place to invest.

ASEAN has also made agreements for eight professions, including doctors, nurses, and engineers. This means people in these jobs can work more easily in any ASEAN country.

Six member countries (Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, and Singapore) have also linked their stock exchanges. This helps them compete better with larger international markets.

The ASEAN Single Aviation Market (ASEAN-SAM) is another big step. It aims to create a unified aviation market in Southeast Asia. This makes air travel easier and cheaper between member states, boosting tourism, trade, and investment.

Exploring a Common Currency

ASEAN has explored the idea of an Asian Currency Unit (ACU), similar to the Euro in Europe. A common currency could make trade easier and reduce costs for businesses and travelers. It would also help keep prices stable.

However, for a common currency to work, countries need to trade more with each other and have similar economic conditions. ASEAN countries currently trade more with countries outside the region. They also have different levels of economic development. These are challenges they are working to overcome.

Free Trade Agreements

     ASEAN     Countries with which ASEAN has free trade agreements

In 1992, the Common Effective Preferential Tariff (CEPT) scheme was adopted. This plan aimed to reduce tariffs (taxes on imported goods) to make the region more competitive in the global market. This led to the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA).

The Port of Singapore currently held as the world's second-busiest port

ASEAN has also signed free trade agreements (FTAs) with many other countries and groups. These include Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, and New Zealand. These agreements help boost trade and economic growth for all involved.

One important agreement is the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). This huge trade deal involves 15 countries, covering a large part of the world's population and economy.

Tourism in ASEAN

ASEAN Tourism Forum 2019 - Traditional Vietnam woman cloth parade

Traveling between ASEAN countries has become much easier, thanks to visa-free travel. This means more people are exploring the region. In 2010, almost half of all tourists in ASEAN countries were from other ASEAN countries.

Tourism is a major growth area for ASEAN. In 2015, 109 million tourists visited ASEAN, a big increase from previous years. Tourism supports millions of jobs and contributes significantly to the region's economy.

ASEAN countries work together to promote the region as a single tourist destination. They hold events like the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) every year to showcase their diverse cultures and attractions.

ASEAN's Global Connections

Royal Thai Embassy, Helsinki, flying its own national flag as well as ASEAN's flag

ASEAN has many friends and partners around the world. It holds ASEAN Summits, where leaders from member countries meet to discuss regional issues. They also meet with leaders from other countries to build relationships and talk about international matters. The first summit was in Bali in 1976. Since 2008, summits are held twice a year.

Family photo of ASEAN during the 46th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on 26 May 2025.

ASEAN is a key partner for many organizations, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. It also has strong ties with China, working together on economy, security, education, and more. Australia and New Zealand also see ASEAN as a very important partner.

ASEAN also leads the East Asia Summit (EAS), a forum where leaders from 18 countries in the East Asian region meet. This includes China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and Russia. They discuss trade, energy, and security, working towards building a stronger East Asian community.

Addressing Disagreements and Challenges

South China Sea Discussions

The South China Sea has seen some disagreements over land and resources. Several ASEAN countries, along with China and Taiwan, have overlapping claims. ASEAN works to encourage peaceful discussions and solutions to these issues.

Bilateral Disputes

Sometimes, there have been disagreements between individual ASEAN member states, such as border disputes between Cambodia and Thailand, or Cambodia and Vietnam. ASEAN encourages peaceful talks to resolve these issues. For example, ASEAN played a big role in the peace process for Cambodia in the 1980s, leading to an agreement in 1991.

Working with Other Regional Groups

     ASEAN      ASEAN Plus Three      ASEAN Plus Six

ASEAN Plus Three

In 1997, the ASEAN Plus Three group was created. This includes ASEAN members plus China, Japan, and South Korea. This group helps coordinate cooperation on many issues, from finance and trade to disaster management and cultural exchange. It played a key role in bringing financial stability to Asia after the 1997 Asian financial crisis.

ASEAN Plus Six

Building on ASEAN Plus Three, the even larger East Asia Summit (EAS) includes ASEAN, China, Japan, South Korea, plus India, Australia, and New Zealand. This group is very important for the economic, political, and social future of the Asia–Pacific region. They are working on a free-trade agreement called the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

Protecting the Environment in ASEAN

Haze over Borneo, 2006

Greenhouse gas emissions per capita of different ASEAN countries.

ASEAN countries have been working on environmental agreements. One important agreement is the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution from 2002. This agreement aims to control haze (smoke and pollution) that sometimes spreads across Southeast Asia. However, haze outbreaks have continued to be a challenge.

Other environmental issues include deforestation (losing forests), plastic waste, and protecting endangered animals and plants. ASEAN is working to address these problems.

Solar irradiance map of South and Southeast Asia, showing the high potential of solar power in ASEAN.

ASEAN's economy is growing very fast, but this also means more CO₂ is released into the air. The region is looking for ways to grow without harming the environment. ASEAN has many opportunities for renewable energy like solar power and wind power. Countries like Vietnam are already showing how quickly solar and wind energy can be adopted.

Transitioning to Cleaner Energy

Key features of energy transition in Southeast Asia

ASEAN has started to switch to cleaner energy sources. The region's energy needs are growing rapidly and are expected to triple by 2050. To meet this demand with renewable energy, significant investments are needed. This goal is achievable with the right policies.

The proposed ASEAN Power Grid could help transmit renewable energy from countries with a lot of it, like Vietnam, to others within ASEAN. This cooperation is key to unlocking the potential for green energy in Southeast Asia.

Education and Learning in ASEAN

ASEAN Delegation at the EU-ASEAN Youth Diplomat Program 2023 in Faculty of International Relations of University Malaya

ASEAN education ministers have agreed on four main goals for education:

• Making young people more aware of ASEAN.
• Strengthening a shared ASEAN identity through education.
• Developing human resources in education.
• Strengthening the ASEAN University Network.

The ASEAN University Network (AUN) was created in 1995. It connects universities in Southeast Asia to promote cooperation among scholars and scientists. It also helps develop academic skills and spreads information about ASEAN.

Singapore offers a special scholarship program to students from other ASEAN countries for secondary school, college, and university. Australia also offers "Australia for ASEAN" scholarships to help future leaders from ASEAN countries.

Culture and Arts in ASEAN

ASEAN organizes many cultural activities to bring the region closer together. These include sports events, educational programs, and awards for writers. Examples include the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity and ASEAN Heritage Parks. ASEAN is known for being very diverse in its cultures, religions, and languages.

Media and Communication

ASEAN 2018 Press Conference in Singapore, cooperative efforts within SEA media was set by ACPM standards

ASEAN countries work together in media to help build a shared ASEAN identity. The ASEAN Committee on Culture and Information (COCI) promotes cooperation in information and culture through various projects.

The ASEAN Communication Master Plan (ACPM) helps share information about ASEAN's goals and vision with people in the region and around the world.

Some key media initiatives include:

• The ASEAN Media Portal, launched in 2007, which shares documentaries, games, and music videos about ASEAN cultures.
• The ASEAN NewsMaker Project, which trains students and teachers to create informational videos about their countries.
• The ASEAN Digital Broadcasting Meeting, where members discuss standards for digital television.

National Public Media in ASEAN

•  Brunei: Radio Television Brunei
•  Cambodia: Bayon Television and National Television of Cambodia
•  Indonesia: Televisi Republik Indonesia and Radio Republik Indonesia
•  Laos: Lao National Radio and Lao National Television
•  Malaysia: Radio Televisyen Malaysia
•  Myanmar: Myanmar International, Myanmar National Television and Myanmar Radio and Television
•  Philippines: People's Television Network, Radio Philippines Network, Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation and Presidential Broadcast Service
•  Singapore: Mediacorp
•  Thailand: MCOT, National Broadcasting Services of Thailand, Radio Thailand, Royal Thai Army Radio and Television Station and Thai Public Broadcasting Service
•  East Timor: Radio-Televisão Timor Leste
•  Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh City Television, Vietnam Television and Voice of Vietnam

Music of ASEAN

Music is an important part of ASEAN. Many songs have been written for the alliance, including:

• "The ASEAN Way", the official anthem.
• "ASEAN Song of Unity" or "ASEAN Hymn".
• "Let Us Move Ahead".
• "ASEAN Rise", for ASEAN's 40th anniversary.
• "ASEAN Spirit", for ASEAN's 50th anniversary.

Sports in ASEAN

The main sports event for ASEAN is the Southeast Asian Games, held every two years. Athletes from all member states, plus Timor-Leste, compete.

Major Sports Events

1. SEA Games
2. ASEAN University Games
3. ASEAN School Games
4. ASEAN Para Games

Championship Events

Bukit Jalil National Stadium during the second leg of the 2014 AFF Championship final

Team Timor-Leste scoring a goal at the 2024 ASEAN Championship

ASEAN also hosts many championship events in different sports, such as:

• Southeast Asian Football Championship
• Southeast Asian Basketball Championship
• Southeast Asian Shooting Championship
• Southeast Asian Volleyball Championship (SEA V.League)
• Southeast Asian Badminton Championship
• Southeast Asian Esports Championship

Security and Safety in ASEAN

Greeting between two naval fleets in the South China Sea during the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise, 8 May 2023

ASEAN is a key place for discussing security issues. Its main goal is to create understanding and cooperation among member states to deal with all kinds of threats and challenges. ASEAN uses a cooperative approach, building trust and openness to reduce tension and conflict.

Keeping Sea Routes Safe

Keeping the seas safe from piracy, especially in places like the Strait of Malacca, is a big challenge. ASEAN members work together to coordinate actions and ensure the security of important shipping routes. They have created plans like the Maritime Security Plan of Action to improve law enforcement and cooperation at sea.

However, because some countries have disagreements over sea borders, it can be tricky to get everyone to agree on joint operations. Despite these challenges, ASEAN members continue to push for greater cooperation to protect their economies and security.

Future Security Goals

ASEAN faces other important issues, such as ensuring fairness and good governance across the region. While there are challenges, ASEAN aims to improve accountability and address concerns about human rights.

Naval Exercises for Cooperation

The navies of ASEAN member countries participate in the ASEAN Multilateral Naval Exercise, or AMNEX. These exercises help them practice working together and improve their ability to respond to security challenges at sea.

Images for kids

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  ASEAN Tourism Awards 2019 - Gzhel costumes Vietnam style

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  Nguyễn Ngọc Thiện, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam at the ASEAN Tourism Awards 2019 in Ha Long Bay

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  Children from Thai Hai Reserve Area of Ecological Houses-on-stilts Ethnic Village at the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2019 in Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam; organised by TTG Events

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  Closing Ceremony of Visit Vietnam Year 2018 & Gala Celebrating the Success of ATF 2019

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  Southeast Asian carrier AirAsia, featuring the "Truly ASEAN" tagline to promote regional tourism.

See also

In Spanish: Asociación de Naciones de Asia Sudoriental para niños