one visionone identity

one community

ASEAN COMMUNITY

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was established on 8 August 1967. The Member States are Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia,Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam. The ASEAN Secretariat is based in Jakarta, Indonesia.

For inquiries, contact:The ASEAN SecretariatCommunity Relations Division (CRD)70A Jalan SisingamangarajaJakarta 12110, IndonesiaPhone: (62 21) 724-3372, 726-2991Fax: (62 21) 739-8234, 724-3504E-mail: public@asean.org

ASEAN: A Community of Opportunities

Catalogue-in-Publication Data

Fact Sheet of ASEAN CommunityJakarta, ASEAN Secretariat, May 2017

352.11591. ASEAN – People – Community2. Political-Security – Economic – Socio-Cultural

ISBN978-602-6392-34-3

The text of this publication may be freely quoted or reprinted, provided proper acknowledgement is givenand a copy containing the reprinted material is sent to the Community Relations Division (CRD) of the ASEAN Secretariat, Jakarta.

Photo credits: ASEAN Secretariat.

General information on ASEAN appears online at the ASEAN Website: www.asean.org

Copyright © Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) 2017. All rights reserved.

4 ASEAN Community

The ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community has putefforts to lift the quality of life of ASEAN peoplesthrough cooperative activities that are people-oriented, people-centred, environmentally friendly,and that foster inter-cultural understanding andmutual respect. The ASCC’s activities haveresulted in a deepening of the sense of ASEANidentity, and collectively accelerating socio-culturalgrowth and progress by:

• lowering the proportion of people living onless than $1.25/ day--from 1 in 2 to 1 in 8 personsover the last two decades;

• reducing maternal mortality per 100,000 livebirths from 371.2 in 1990 to 103.7 in 2012;

• reducing proportion of urban slumpopulations from 40% in 2000 to 31% in 2012;

• increasing net enrolment rate for primaryschool children from 92% in 1999 to 94% in2012;

• increasing proportion of seats held by womenin parliaments from 12% in 2000 to 18.5% in2012 and

• enlisting 38 ASEAN natural heritage parksand 24 UNESCO cultural heritage sites in theASEAN region as of 2015.

The ASEAN Coordinating Centre for HumanitarianAssistance (AHA Centre) is at the forefront ofASEAN’s strategy to instill resilience and face its

vulnerabilities through a systematised regionaldisaster risk management and climate changeadaptation that is harmonised with national andlocal policies and laws. It embodies the “OneASEAN, One Response” declaration byharnessing the individual and collective strengthsof different sectors and stakeholders in ASEANto effectively respond to disasters inside andoutside the region.

ASEAN Connectivity aims to complement andsupport integration by strengthening thefoundational support to achieve the political-security, economic, and socio-cultural pillars ofan integrated ASEAN Community. The vision forthe ASEAN Connectivity 2025 is to achieve aseamlessly and comprehensively connected andintegrated ASEAN that will promotecompetitiveness, inclusiveness, and a greatersense of Community. To achieve such vision,ASEAN Connectivity 2025 focuses on fivestrategic areas, namely SustainableInfrastructure, Digital Innovation, SeamlessLogistics, Regulatory Excellence and PeopleMobility.

As the regional grouping marks its 50thanniversary in 2017, entering the next phase ofconsolidation, further integration and strongercohesiveness as a Community, ASEAN will

The ASEAN Community 2015 is a community ofopportunities under three community pillars:Political- Security Community, EconomicCommunity, and Socio-Cultural Community. Itslaunch in 2015 is a historic milestone and aculmination of ASEAN’s resilience and dynamismthroughout a journey of nearly half a century, andsignals to the world how far and how well theASEAN Member States have achieved in comingtogether as one community.

The ASEAN Community ascertains that the goalof ASEAN’s founding fathers of improving the livesof its people is reflected on the region’s economicand cultural development, social progress,regional peace and security, collaboration, mutualassistance in training and research, improvementof living standards, promotion of Southeast Asianstudies and cooperation with regional andinternational organisations. The organisationrecognises the importance of ensuring the safetyof its citizens from such threats as climate change,

3

ASEAN Community

ASEAN Community

ASEAN COMMUNITYOne Vision. One Identity. One Community.

pandemics, natural disasters and transnationalcrimes, offering new opportunities to the regionand the world of peace and stability, of bigger,more open and rules-based market for business,of better health and education; and of sustainabledevelopment.

Recognising the twin visions of peace andprosperity, ASEAN sustains peace in SoutheastAsia by integrating harmonious inter-staterelations through the Treaty of Amity andCooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) for ASEANMember States and more than 20 external parties,the Declaration on the 2002 Conduct of Parties inthe South China Sea (DOC) and the Code ofConduct in the South China Sea (COC) that guideASEAN and China to exercise self-restraint,refrain from the use of force, undertake practicalmaritime cooperation, and promote peacefulsettlement of disputes in the South China Sea.

Southeast Asia is free of nuclear weapons andweapons of mass destruction through the Treatyon the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-FreeZone (SEANWFZ) that also protects the regionfrom environmental pollution and the hazards ofradioactive and toxic waste materials. The ASEANConvention on Counter Terrorism (ACCT) isASEAN’s regional cooperation framework tocounter, prevent and suppress terrorism anddeepen counter-terrorism cooperation.

Defence and military cooperation is gearing upwith the establishment of the ASEAN DefenceMinisters Meeting (ADMM) and the ADMM-Plusthat provide Member States with counter-terrorism, maritime security and humanitarianassistance and disaster relief exercises, fosteringunderstanding and improving capability andreadiness.

The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission onHuman Rights (AICHR), set up in 2009, set themomentum and recorded progress in humanrights promotion and protection in ASEAN. TheASEAN Human Rights Declaration (AHRD), whichwas adopted in November 2012, further embodiesthe commitment of the Governments of theASEAN Member States to safeguard the humanrights and fundamental freedoms of the peopleof ASEAN.

Already an international organisation by virtue ofthe ASEAN Charter in 2008, ASEAN has built andstrengthened its institutional frameworks towards

greater effectiveness, efficiency, better synergyand coordination, paving the way for a rules-basedand comprehensive institutional infrastructurecommensurate with the needs of regionalintegration and community building.

The implementation of ASEAN economicintegration measures has led to the establishmentof the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), whichprovides ASEAN people with an open andintegrated market where there are more productchoices at competitive costs. The AEC initiativeshave also supported businesses to exploremarkets and extend their market reach at reducedcosts through simplified cross-border tradingprocesses and improved investment climate. Atthe same time, ASEAN economic integration ispursued not only through internal integration butalso integration to the global economy; the latteris anchored on forward-looking free trade andcomprehensive economic partnershipagreements and initiatives to enhance globalvalue chain participation. The AEC has also putin place frameworks and legal structures oncompetition, consumer protection and intellectualproperty as well as improved transportation andinfrastructure networks, contributing to animproved environment for business. Last but notleast, the AEC also strives to be a community thatis inclusive and equitable, with focused efforts tofacilitate and support the active and gainfulparticipation of small and medium enterprises andnewer ASEAN Member States in the economiccommunity.

2

The ASEAN Community 2015 is a community ofopportunities under three community pillars:Political- Security Community, EconomicCommunity, and Socio-Cultural Community. Itslaunch in 2015 is a historic milestone and aculmination of ASEAN’s resilience and dynamismthroughout a journey of nearly half a century, andsignals to the world how far and how well theASEAN Member States have achieved in comingtogether as one community.

The ASEAN Community ascertains that the goalof ASEAN’s founding fathers of improving the livesof its people is reflected on the region’s economicand cultural development, social progress,regional peace and security, collaboration, mutualassistance in training and research, improvementof living standards, promotion of Southeast Asianstudies and cooperation with regional andinternational organisations. The organisationrecognises the importance of ensuring the safetyof its citizens from such threats as climate change,

3

ASEAN Community

ASEAN Community

ASEAN COMMUNITYOne Vision. One Identity. One Community.

pandemics, natural disasters and transnationalcrimes, offering new opportunities to the regionand the world of peace and stability, of bigger,more open and rules-based market for business,of better health and education; and of sustainabledevelopment.

Recognising the twin visions of peace andprosperity, ASEAN sustains peace in SoutheastAsia by integrating harmonious inter-staterelations through the Treaty of Amity andCooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) for ASEANMember States and more than 20 external parties,the Declaration on the 2002 Conduct of Parties inthe South China Sea (DOC) and the Code ofConduct in the South China Sea (COC) that guideASEAN and China to exercise self-restraint,refrain from the use of force, undertake practicalmaritime cooperation, and promote peacefulsettlement of disputes in the South China Sea.

Southeast Asia is free of nuclear weapons andweapons of mass destruction through the Treatyon the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-FreeZone (SEANWFZ) that also protects the regionfrom environmental pollution and the hazards ofradioactive and toxic waste materials. The ASEANConvention on Counter Terrorism (ACCT) isASEAN’s regional cooperation framework tocounter, prevent and suppress terrorism anddeepen counter-terrorism cooperation.

Defence and military cooperation is gearing upwith the establishment of the ASEAN DefenceMinisters Meeting (ADMM) and the ADMM-Plusthat provide Member States with counter-terrorism, maritime security and humanitarianassistance and disaster relief exercises, fosteringunderstanding and improving capability andreadiness.

The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission onHuman Rights (AICHR), set up in 2009, set themomentum and recorded progress in humanrights promotion and protection in ASEAN. TheASEAN Human Rights Declaration (AHRD), whichwas adopted in November 2012, further embodiesthe commitment of the Governments of theASEAN Member States to safeguard the humanrights and fundamental freedoms of the peopleof ASEAN.

Already an international organisation by virtue ofthe ASEAN Charter in 2008, ASEAN has built andstrengthened its institutional frameworks towards

greater effectiveness, efficiency, better synergyand coordination, paving the way for a rules-basedand comprehensive institutional infrastructurecommensurate with the needs of regionalintegration and community building.

The implementation of ASEAN economicintegration measures has led to the establishmentof the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), whichprovides ASEAN people with an open andintegrated market where there are more productchoices at competitive costs. The AEC initiativeshave also supported businesses to exploremarkets and extend their market reach at reducedcosts through simplified cross-border tradingprocesses and improved investment climate. Atthe same time, ASEAN economic integration ispursued not only through internal integration butalso integration to the global economy; the latteris anchored on forward-looking free trade andcomprehensive economic partnershipagreements and initiatives to enhance globalvalue chain participation. The AEC has also putin place frameworks and legal structures oncompetition, consumer protection and intellectualproperty as well as improved transportation andinfrastructure networks, contributing to animproved environment for business. Last but notleast, the AEC also strives to be a community thatis inclusive and equitable, with focused efforts tofacilitate and support the active and gainfulparticipation of small and medium enterprises andnewer ASEAN Member States in the economiccommunity.

2

one visionone identity

one community

ASEAN COMMUNITY

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was established on 8 August 1967. The Member States are Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia,Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam. The ASEAN Secretariat is based in Jakarta, Indonesia.

For inquiries, contact:The ASEAN SecretariatCommunity Relations Division (CRD)70A Jalan SisingamangarajaJakarta 12110, IndonesiaPhone: (62 21) 724-3372, 726-2991Fax: (62 21) 739-8234, 724-3504E-mail: public@asean.org

ASEAN: A Community of Opportunities

Catalogue-in-Publication Data

Fact Sheet of ASEAN CommunityJakarta, ASEAN Secretariat, May 2017

352.11591. ASEAN – People – Community2. Political-Security – Economic – Socio-Cultural

ISBN978-602-6392-34-3

The text of this publication may be freely quoted or reprinted, provided proper acknowledgement is givenand a copy containing the reprinted material is sent to the Community Relations Division (CRD) of the ASEAN Secretariat, Jakarta.

Photo credits: ASEAN Secretariat.

General information on ASEAN appears online at the ASEAN Website: www.asean.org

Copyright © Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) 2017. All rights reserved.

4 ASEAN Community

The ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community has putefforts to lift the quality of life of ASEAN peoplesthrough cooperative activities that are people-oriented, people-centred, environmentally friendly,and that foster inter-cultural understanding andmutual respect. The ASCC’s activities haveresulted in a deepening of the sense of ASEANidentity, and collectively accelerating socio-culturalgrowth and progress by:

• lowering the proportion of people living onless than $1.25/ day--from 1 in 2 to 1 in 8 personsover the last two decades;

• reducing maternal mortality per 100,000 livebirths from 371.2 in 1990 to 103.7 in 2012;

• reducing proportion of urban slumpopulations from 40% in 2000 to 31% in 2012;

• increasing net enrolment rate for primaryschool children from 92% in 1999 to 94% in2012;

• increasing proportion of seats held by womenin parliaments from 12% in 2000 to 18.5% in2012 and

• enlisting 38 ASEAN natural heritage parksand 24 UNESCO cultural heritage sites in theASEAN region as of 2015.

The ASEAN Coordinating Centre for HumanitarianAssistance (AHA Centre) is at the forefront ofASEAN’s strategy to instill resilience and face its

vulnerabilities through a systematised regionaldisaster risk management and climate changeadaptation that is harmonised with national andlocal policies and laws. It embodies the “OneASEAN, One Response” declaration byharnessing the individual and collective strengthsof different sectors and stakeholders in ASEANto effectively respond to disasters inside andoutside the region.

ASEAN Connectivity aims to complement andsupport integration by strengthening thefoundational support to achieve the political-security, economic, and socio-cultural pillars ofan integrated ASEAN Community. The vision forthe ASEAN Connectivity 2025 is to achieve aseamlessly and comprehensively connected andintegrated ASEAN that will promotecompetitiveness, inclusiveness, and a greatersense of Community. To achieve such vision,ASEAN Connectivity 2025 focuses on fivestrategic areas, namely SustainableInfrastructure, Digital Innovation, SeamlessLogistics, Regulatory Excellence and PeopleMobility.

As the regional grouping marks its 50thanniversary in 2017, entering the next phase ofconsolidation, further integration and strongercohesiveness as a Community, ASEAN will