Overview

ESTABLISHMENT The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, was established on 8 August 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand, with the signing of the ASEAN eclaration !Bangkok eclaration" b# the $ounding $athers of

ASEAN, na%el# &ndonesia, 'ala#sia, (hili))ines, Singa)ore and Thailand* Brunei arussala% then +oined on 7 ,anuar# 198-, .iet Na% on /8 ,ul# 1990, 1ao ( 2 and '#an%ar on /3 ,ul# 1997, and 4a%bodia on 35 A)ril 1999, %aking u) what is toda# the ten 'e%ber States of ASEAN* AIMS AND PURPOSES As set out in the ASEAN eclaration, the ai%s and )ur)oses of ASEAN are6 1* To accelerate the econo%ic growth, social )rogress and cultural de7elo)%ent in the region through +oint endea7ours in the s)irit of e8ualit# and )artnershi) in order to strengthen the foundation for a )ros)erous and )eaceful co%%unit# of Southeast Asian Nations9 To )ro%ote regional )eace and stabilit# through abiding res)ect for +ustice and the rule of law in the relationshi) a%ong countries of the region and adherence to the )rinci)les of the :nited Nations 4harter9 To )ro%ote acti7e collaboration and %utual assistance on %atters of co%%on interest in the econo%ic, social, cultural, technical, scientific and ad%inistrati7e fields9 To )ro7ide assistance to each other in the for% of training and research facilities in the educational, )rofessional, technical and ad%inistrati7e s)heres9 To collaborate %ore effecti7el# for the greater utilisation of their agriculture and industries, the e;)ansion of their trade, including the stud# of the )roble%s of international co%%odit# trade, the i%)ro7e%ent of their trans)ortation and co%%unications facilities and the raising of the li7ing standards of their )eo)les9 To )ro%ote Southeast Asian studies9 and To %aintain close and beneficial coo)eration with e;isting international and regional organisations with si%ilar ai%s and )ur)oses, and e;)lore all a7enues for e7en closer coo)eration a%ong the%sel7es* FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES &n their relations with one another, the ASEAN 'e%ber States ha7e ado)ted the following funda%ental 1* /* 3* -* 0* )rinci)les, as contained in the Treat# of A%it# and 4oo)eration in Southeast Asia !TA4" of 19766 'utual res)ect for the inde)endence, so7ereignt#, e8ualit#, territorial integrit#, and national identit# of all nations9 The right of e7er# State to lead its national e;istence free fro% e;ternal interference, sub7ersion or coercion9 Non<interference in the internal affairs of one another9 Settle%ent of differences or dis)utes b# )eaceful %anner9 2enunciation of the threat or use of force9 and

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Effecti7e coo)eration a%ong the%sel7es* ASEAN COMMUNITY The ASEAN .ision /5/5, ado)ted b# the ASEAN 1eaders on the 35th Anni7ersar# of ASEAN, agreed on a shared 7ision of ASEAN as a concert of Southeast Asian nations, outward looking, li7ing in )eace, stabilit# and )ros)erit#, bonded together in )artnershi) in d#na%ic de7elo)%ent and in a co%%unit# of caring societies* At the 9th ASEAN Su%%it in /553, the ASEAN 1eaders resol7ed that an ASEAN 4o%%unit# shall be established* At the 1/th ASEAN Su%%it in ,anuar# /557, the 1eaders affir%ed their strong co%%it%ent to accelerate the establish%ent of an ASEAN 4o%%unit# b# /510 and signed the 4ebu Acceleration of the Establish%ent of an ASEAN 4o%%unit# b# /510* The ASEAN 4o%%unit# is co%)rised of three )illars, na%el# the ASEAN (olitical<Securit# 4o%%unit#, ASEAN Econo%ic 4o%%unit# and ASEAN Socio<4ultural 4o%%unit#* Each )illar has its own Blue)rint, and, together with the &nitiati7e for ASEAN &ntegration !&A&" Strategic $ra%ework and &A& =ork (lan (hase && !/559</510", the# for% the 2oad%a) for and ASEAN 4o%%unit# /559</510 * (lease click here for the ASEAN (olitical<Securit# 4o%%unit# .ideo ownload .ideo* (lease click here for the ASEAN Econo%ic 4o%%unit# .ideo* (lease click here for ASEAN Socio<4ultural 4o%%unit# .ideo* (lease click here for ASEAN >istor# and (ur)oses* ASEAN CHARTER The ASEAN 4harter ser7es as a fir% foundation in achie7ing the ASEAN 4o%%unit# b# )ro7iding legal status and institutional fra%ework for ASEAN* &t also codifies ASEAN nor%s, rules and 7alues9 sets clear targets for ASEAN9 and )resents accountabilit# and co%)liance* The ASEAN 4harter entered into force on 10 ece%ber /558* A gathering of the ASEAN $oreign eclaration on the

'inisters was held at the ASEAN Secretariat in ,akarta to %ark this 7er# historic occasion for ASEAN* =ith the entr# into force of the ASEAN 4harter, ASEAN will henceforth o)erate under a new legal fra%ework and establish a nu%ber of new organs to boost its co%%unit#<building )rocess*

&n effect, the ASEAN 4harter has beco%e a legall# binding agree%ent a%ong the 15 ASEAN 'e%ber States* $ind out %ore about the ASEAN 4harter here* ?eneral infor%ation

@uala 1u%)ur eclaration on the Establish%ent of the ASEAN 4harter @uala 1u%)ur, 1/ ece%ber /550
WE, the >eads of StateA?o7ern%ent of Brunei arussala%, @ingdo% of 4a%bodia, 2e)ublic of

&ndonesia, 1ao (eo)leBs e%ocratic 2e)ublic, 'ala#sia, :nion of '#an%ar, 2e)ublic of the (hili))ines, 2e)ublic of Singa)ore, @ingdo% of Thailand and Socialist 2e)ublic of .iet Na%, 'e%ber 4ountries of ASEAN, on the occasion of the 11th ASEAN Su%%it in @uala 1u%)ur9 CONSCIOUS of the unit# and di7ersit# in ASEAN and the e;isting ties of histor#, geogra)h# and culture that ha7e bound their )eo)les together9 RECOGNISING the ASEAN eclaration !Bangkok eclaration" of 1967 as the founding docu%ent of

ASEAN that re)resents the collecti7e will of the nations of Southeast Asia to bond the%sel7es together in friendshi) and coo)eration and, through +oint efforts and sacrifices, secure for their )eo)les and for )osterit# the blessings of )eace, freedo% and )ros)erit#9 ACKNOWLEDGING that the 7ision, strateg# and initiati7e of ASEAN o7er the #ears ha7e %ade an i%)ortant contribution to the %aintenance of )eace, securit# and stabilit# of the region9 COGNISANT that %utual res)ect for the inde)endence, so7ereignt#, e8ualit#, territorial integrit# and national identit# of ASEAN 'e%ber 4ountries has fostered a )ositi7e en7iron%ent for the stead# de7elo)%ent of an ASEAN 4o%%unit# to %eet the challenges of the future9 DESIRING to realise an ASEAN 4o%%unit# as en7isaged in the eclaration of ASEAN 4oncord && !Bali

4oncord &&" and its (lans of Action and 2oad%a), and the ASEAN .ision /5/5 which en7ision ASEAN as a concert of Southeast Asian nations, outward<looking, li7ing in )eace, stabilit# and )ros)erit#, bonded together in )artnershi) in d#na%ic de7elo)%ent and in a co%%unit# of caring societies9 RECOGNISING that the global and regional econo%ic and )olitical en7iron%ent has changed and is constantl# changing thereb# re8uiring ASEAN and its co%%unit# building efforts to e7ol7e and ada)t to these changes and challenges9

RECOGNISING the i%)ortance of ha7ing an a))ro)riate institutional fra%ework of ASEAN that is able to %eet the challenges of realising an ASEAN co%%unit#9 CONVINCED of the need for an ASEAN 4harter to ser7e as a fir% foundation for ASEAN in the #ears ahead and to facilitate co%%unit# building towards an ASEAN 4o%%unit# and be#ond9 DO HEREBY DECLARE6 FIRST, we are co%%itted to establish the ASEAN 4harter* SECOND, the ASEAN 4harter will ser7e as a legal and institutional fra%ework of ASEAN to su))ort the realisation of its goals and ob+ecti7es* THIRD, the ASEAN 4harter will codif# all ASEAN nor%s, rules, and 7alues and reaffir% that ASEAN agree%ents signed and other instru%ents ado)ted before the establish%ent of the ASEAN 4harter shall continue to a))l# and be legall# binding where a))ro)riate* FOURTH, the ASEAN 4harter will reaffir% )rinci)les, goals and ideals contained in ASEANBs %ilestone agree%ents, in )articular the ASEAN eclaration !1967", the Treat# of A%it# and 4oo)eration in

Southeast Asia !1976", the Treat# on Southeast Asia Nuclear =ea)on $ree Cone !1990", the ASEAN .ision /5/5 !1997" and the eclaration of ASEAN 4oncord && !/553" as well as the )rinci)les of inter<state

relations in accordance with the :N 4harter and established international law that )ro%ote and )rotect ASEAN co%%unit# interests as well as inter<state relations and the national interests of the indi7idual ASEAN 'e%ber 4ountries* These include a%ong others6 (ro%otion of co%%unit# interest for the benefit of all ASEAN 'e%ber 4ountries9 'aintaining )ri%ar# dri7ing force of ASEAN9 Narrowing the de7elo)%ent ga)s a%ong 'e%ber 4ountries9 Adherence to a set of co%%on socio<cultural and )olitical co%%unit# 7alues and shared nor%s as contained in the 7arious ASEAN docu%ents9 4ontinuing to foster a co%%unit# of caring societies and )ro%ote a co%%on regional identit#9 Effecti7e i%)le%entation as well as co%)liance with ASEANBs agree%ents9 (ro%otion of de%ocrac#, hu%an rights and obligations, trans)arenc# and good go7ernance and strengthening de%ocratic institutions9 Ensuring that countries in the region li7e at )eace with one another and with the world at large in a +ust, de%ocratic and har%onious en7iron%ent9 ecision %aking on the basis of e8ualit#, %utual res)ect and consensus9

4o%%it%ent to strengthen ASEANBs co%)etiti7eness, to dee)en and broaden ASEANBs internal econo%ic integration and linkages with the world econo%#9

(ro%otion of regional solidarit# and coo)eration9 'utual res)ect for the inde)endence, so7ereignt#, e8ualit#, territorial integrit# and national identit# of all nations9

2enunciation of nuclear wea)ons and other wea)ons of %ass destruction and a7oidance of ar%s race9

2enunciation of the use of force and threat to use of force9 non<aggression and e;clusi7e reliance on )eaceful %eans for the settle%ent of differences or dis)utes9

Enhancing beneficial relations between ASEAN and its friends and )artners9 :)holding non<discri%ination of an# ASEAN 'e%ber 4ountries in ASEANBs e;ternal relations and coo)erati7e acti7ities9

Dbser7ance of )rinci)les of international law concerning friendl# relations and coo)eration a%ong States9 and

The right of e7er# state to lead its national e;istence free fro% e;ternal interference, sub7ersion or coercion and non<interference in the internal affairs of one another* FIFTH, the ASEAN 4harter will confer a legal )ersonalit# to ASEAN and deter%ine the functions, de7elo) areas of co%)etence of ke# ASEAN bodies and their relationshi) with one another in the o7erall ASEAN structure* AND DO HEREBY AGREE6 TO establish an E%inent (ersons ?rou) !E(?", co%)rising highl# distinguished and well res)ected citiEens fro% ASEAN 'e%ber 4ountries, with the %andate to e;a%ine and )ro7ide )ractical reco%%endations on the directions and nature of the ASEAN 4harter rele7ant to the ASEAN 4o%%unit# as en7isaged in the Bali 4oncord && and be#ond, taking into account, but not li%ited to, the )rinci)les, 7alues and ob+ecti7es as contained in this eclaration* TO consider their reco%%endations at our subse8uent %eetings* TO task our 'inisters to establish, as necessar#, a >igh 1e7el Task $orce to carr# out the drafting of the ASEAN 4harter based on the @uala 1u%)ur eclaration on the Establish%ent of the ASEAN 4harter and the reco%%endations of the E(?* DONE in @uala 1u%)ur, 'ala#sia, on the Twelfth a# of ece%ber in the Fear Two Thousand and $i7e*

Singapore Declaration on the ASEAN Charter

WE, the >eads of StateA?o7ern%ent of Brunei arussala%, the @ingdo% of 4a%bodia, the 2e)ublic of

&ndonesia, the 1ao (eo)leBs e%ocratic 2e)ublic, 'ala#sia, the :nion of '#an%ar, the 2e)ublic of the (hili))ines, the 2e)ublic of Singa)ore, the @ingdo% of Thailand and the Socialist 2e)ublic of .iet Na%, 'e%ber 4ountries of ASEAN, on the occasion of the -5th Anni7ersar# of ASEAN and the 13th ASEAN Su%%it in Singa)ore9 REAFFIRMING our con7iction, as e;)ressed in the @uala 1u%)ur the ASEAN 4harter on 1/ ece%ber /550 and the 4ebu eclaration on the Establish%ent of

eclaration on the Blue)rint of the ASEAN

4harter on 13 ,anuar# /557, that the 4harter shall ser7e as a legal and institutional fra%ework, as well as an ins)iration for ASEAN in the #ears ahead9 REITERATING our full resol7e and co%%it%ent to narrow the de7elo)%ent ga) and to ad7ance ASEAN integration through the creation of an ASEAN 4o%%unit# in furtherance of )eace, )rogress and )ros)erit# of its )eo)les9 and HAVING SIGNED the ASEAN 4harter9 DO HEREBY DECLARE6 To faithfull# res)ect the rights and fulfil the obligations outlined in the )ro7isions of the ASEAN 4harter9 To co%)lete ratification b# all 'e%ber 4ountries as soon as )ossible in order to bring the ASEAN 4harter into force9 and To undertake all a))ro)riate %easures in each 'e%ber 4ountr# to i%)le%ent the ASEAN 4harter* ADOPTED in Singa)ore, this Twentieth a# of No7e%ber in the Fear Two Thousand and Se7en*