OVERVIEW

Established in 1967, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) aims to accelerate the economic growth, social progress and cultural development of its state members[1] through active collaboration and mutual assistance on matters of common interest in the economic, social, cultural, technical, scientific and administrative fields.[2] Embracing these objectives, ASEAN leaders share a vision for ASEAN to be a concert of Southeast Asian nations that is outward looking, lives in peace, stable and prosperous, bonded together in a dynamic partnership development and a caring society by 2020, known commonly as the Asian Economic Community (AEC).[3]