ASEAN 2015 A Community of Opportunities

What is the 'Association of Southeast Asian Nations - ASEAN'?

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is an organization of countries in southeast
Asia set up to promote cultural, economic and political development in the region. ASEAN was
officially formed in 1967 with the signing of the Bangkok Declaration.
The original five members included Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.
Since its formation, ASEAN has been growing slowly, and more countries in the region have
gained membership. Through co-operation the goal of the organization is to increase the welfare of
the people in the region, both economically and culturally.
Founding Fathers of ASEAN:
5 Foreign Ministers - Adam Malik (Indonesia), Narciso R. Ramos ( Philippines), Tun Abdul Razak
(Malaysia), S. Rajaratnam (Singapore) and Thanat Khoman (Thailand)

MEMBER STATES
Brunei Darussalam (7 January 1984)
Cambodia (30 April 1999)
Indonesia (8 August 1967)
Lao PDR (23 July 1997)
Malaysia (8 August 1967)
Myanmar (23 July 1997)
Philippines (8 August 1967)
Singapore (8 August 1967)
Thailand (8 August 1967)
Viet Nam (28 July 1995)

Purpose
As set out in the ASEAN Declaration, the aims and purposes of ASEAN are:

To accelerate economic growth, social progress, and cultural development in the region.

To promote regional peace and stability.

To promote collaboration and mutual assistance on matters of common interest.

To provide assistance to each other in the form of training and research facilities.

To collaborate for the better utilisation of agriculture and industry to raise the living standards of
the people.

To promote Southeast Asian studies.

To maintain close, beneficial co-operation with existing international organisations with similar
aims and purposes.

Overview of the ASEAN Community

(Three integral pillars of the ASEAN Vision 2015: AEC, ASC, ASCC work in tandem)
ASEAN Political Security Community (APSC)
Ensures that the peoples and Member States of ASEAN live in peace with one another and with the
world at large in a just, democratic and harmonious environment.
During the 14th ASEAN Summit held 26 February to 1 March 2009, the ASEAN heads of
state/governments adopted the ASEAN Political-Security Community Blueprint (APSC).[142] This
document is designed to create a robust political-security environment within ASEAN, with programs
and activities outlined to establish the APSC by 2015.
The APSC aims to create a community that portrays the following characteristics: a rulesbased community of shared values and norms; a cohesive, peaceful, stable and resilient region with
shared responsibility for comprehensive security; and a dynamic and outward-looking region in an
increasingly integrated and interdependent world.
ASEAN Economic Community (AEC)
Transforms ASEAN into a stable, prosperous, and highly competitive region with equitable economic
development, and reduced poverty and socio-economic disparities.
The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) is now generally referred to as "AEC 2015" since its
original implementation date was brought forward from 2020 to 31 December 2015. As one of the
three pillars of the ASEAN, it aims to "implement economic integration initiatives" to create a single
market across ASEAN nations. On 20 November 2007, during the 13th ASEAN Summit in Singapore,
its blueprint, which serves as a master plan guiding the establishment of the ASEAN Economic
Community 2015, was adopted.
The ASEAN Economic Community is the goal of regional economic integration by 2015. Its
characteristics include: (1) a single market and production base, (2) a highly competitive
economic region, (3) a region of fair economic development, and (4) a region fully integrated
into the global economy. The areas of co-operation include human resources development;
recognition of professional qualifications; closer consultation on macroeconomic and
financial policies; trade financing measures; enhanced infrastructure and communications
connectivity; development of electronic transactions through e-ASEAN; integrating industries
across the region to promote regional sourcing; and enhancing private sector involvement.
Through the free movement of skilled labour, goods, services and investment, ASEAN will rise

globally as one market with each member gaining from each other's strengths, thus increasing its
competitiveness and opportunities for development.
FREE FLOW OF GOODS AND SERVICES Free flow of goods is one of the principal means by
which the aims of a single market and production base can be achieved. A single market for goods
(and services) will also facilitate the development of production networks in the region and enhance
ASEANs capacity to serve as a global production centre or as a part of the global supply chain.
In facilitating the free flow of services by 2015, ASEAN is also working towards recognition of
professional qualifications with a view to facilitate their movement within the region.
FREE FLOW OF INVESTMENTS Under the AIA, all industries (in the manufacturing, agriculture,
fishery, forestry and mining and quarrying sectors and services incidental to these five sectors) shall
be open and national treatment granted to investors both at the pre-establishment and the postestablishment stages, with some exceptions as listed in member countries Temporary Exclusion Lists
(TEL) and Sensitive Lists (SL). The TEL is to be phased-out based on agreed timelines. Although the
SL does not have a timeline for phasing-out, they will be reviewed periodically.
FREE FLOW OF SKILLED LABORS
In allowing for managed mobility or facilitated entry for the movement of natural persons engaged
in trade in goods, services, and investments, according to the prevailing regulations of the receiving
country, ASEAN is working to:
Facilitate the issuance of visas and employment passes for ASEAN professionals and skilled labour
who are engaged in cross-border trade and investment related activities.
In facilitating the free flow of services (by 2015), ASEAN is also working towards harmonisation and
standardisation, with a view to facilitate their movement within the region.
Enhance cooperation among ASEAN University Network (AUN) members to increase mobility for
both students and staff within the region;
ii. Develop core competencies and qualifications for job/occupational and trainers skills required in
the priority services sectors (by 2009); and in other services sectors (from 2010 to 2015); and
iii. Strengthen the research capabilities of each ASEAN Member Country in terms of promoting
skills, job placements, and developing labour market information networks among ASEAN Member
Countries.
ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC)
Contributes to realising an ASEAN Community that is people-oriented and socially responsible with a
view to achieving enduring solidarity and unity among the peoples and Member States of ASEAN.
It was also during the 14th ASEAN Summit that the member governments of ASEAN adopted
the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Blueprint (ASCC). The ASCC envisions an: "ASEAN
Community that is people-centered and socially responsible with a view to achieving enduring
solidarity and unity among the nations and peoples of ASEAN by forging a common identity and
building a caring and sharing society which is inclusive and harmonious where the well-being,

livelihood, and welfare of the peoples are enhanced". Among its focus areas are: human
development, social welfare and protection, social justice and rights, ensuring environmental
sustainability, building the ASEAN identity, and narrowing the development gap.
Narrowing the Development Gap (NDG) Progressing together through cooperation in development.

The Four Pillars of ASEAN Economic Integration

The AEC Blueprint is built on four interrelated and mutually-reinforcing pillars: (a) a single market and
production base, (b) a highly competitive economic region, (c) a region of equitable economic
development, and (d) a region fully integrated into the global economy. As broad and multi-faceted as
these are, the goals of the AEC have already been met on many fronts.
The first AEC pillar seeks to create a single market and production base through free flow of goods,
services, investment, skilled labour and freer flow of capital. Cumulatively, these aim for a more
liberalised market that provides its population with greater opportunities to trade and do business
within the region, with reduced trade costs and improved investment regimes that make ASEAN a
more attractive investment destination for both international and domestic investors.
The second pillar helps to create a business-friendly and innovation-supporting regional
environment. That is achievable through the adoption of commonframeworks, standards and mutual
co-operation across many areas, such as in agriculture and financial services, and in competition
policy, intellectual property rights, and consumer protection. It also supports improvements in
transport connectivity and other infrastructure networks; these have facilitated cross-border
transportation and contributed to reducing overall costs of doing business, while providing ASEAN
people and businesses with better opportunities to work together more productively. In turn, such
developments provide the impetus to start new businesses, expand the existing market base,
encourage strategic sourcing of goods and services within the region as well as create employment.
The goals of the AEC have been met on many fronts
The third pillar seeks to achieve sustainable and balanced growth and development through
equitable economic development. This is done through creative initiatives that encourage SMEs to
participate in regional and global value chains, and focused efforts to build the capacity of the
ASEANs newer member states to ensure their effective integration into the economic community.
The final pillar envisages nothing less than ASEANs full integration into the global economy. This is
pursued through a coherent approach towards external economic relations, including through free
trade areas and comprehensive economic partnership agreements, and enhanced participation in
global supply networks.
A new and far-reaching milestone for the AEC Blueprint has been arrived at in 2015 but with ever
more tangible results to come to make good on its promise.
Challenges in Education for ASEAN Community 2015
In terms of Higher Education, a broader strategic objective of ensuring the integration of education
priorities into ASEANs development, the Education Objectives aim to advance and prioritize
education and focus on: creating a knowledge-based society; achieving universal access to primary
education; promoting early child care and development; and enhancing awareness of ASEAN to

youths through education and activities to build an ASEAN identity based on friendship and
cooperation.

Table 1 Clusters, goals and health priority issues Cluster Goal 2020 Health priorities
1. Promoting healthy lifestyle
a) To achieve maximal health potential of ASEAN Community through promoting healthy lifestyle
b) To ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages
i. Prevention and control of NCDs
ii. Reduction of tobacco consumption and harmful use of alcohol
iii. Prevention of injuries
iv. Promotion of occupational health
v. Promotion of mental health
vi. Promotion of healthy and active ageing
vii. Promotion of good nutrition and healthy diet
2. Responding to all hazards and emerging threats
a) To promote resilient health system in response to communicable diseases, emerging infectious
diseases, and neglected tropical diseases
b) To respond to environmental health threats, hazards and disaster, and to ensure effective
preparedness for disaster health management in the region
viii. Prevention and control of communicable diseases, emerging infectious diseases and neglected
tropical diseases
ix. Strengthening laboratory capacity
x. Combating antimicrobial resistance(AMR)
xi. Environmental health and health impact assessment (HIA)
xii. Disaster Health Management
3. Strengthening health system and access to care
a) ASEAN Community has universal access to[essential]health care, safe and good quality medical
products including traditional and complementary medicines
b) To achieve the unfinished health related MDGs, in light of the SDG
xiii. Traditional Medicine xiv. Health related MDGs (4, 5, 6)
xv. Universal health coverage (UHC)
xvi. Migrants health
xvii. Pharmaceutical development
xviii.Human Resources Development
xix. Health Financing
4. Ensuring food safety
a) To promote access to safe food, safe drinking water and sanitation

xx. Food safety