ROADMAP FOR

AN ASEAN
COMMUNITY

2009 - 2015

ROADMAP FOR
AN ASEAN COMMUNITY

2009 - 2015

TOWARDS
AN ASEAN COMMUNITY
2015
Edited by:
National Policy Publications Division
Layout and Design:
Azila Asfar Kamaruzaman
Published by:

Department Of Information Malaysia

Ministry of Communication and Multimedia Malaysia
B.026 (B.I) April 2014 (015.)
Sources by:
Public Affairs Office
The ASEAN Secretariat
70A Jalan Sisingamangaraja
Jakarta 12110
Indonesia
Catalogue-in-Publication Data
Towards An Asean Community 2015
Jakarta: ASEAN Secretariat, April 2009
General information on ASEAN appears online
at the ASEAN Website: www.asean.org

ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS (ASEAN)

TOWARDS AN ASEAN COMMUNITY BY 2015
The Association represents the collective will of the nations of
South-East Asia to bind themselves together in friendship and
cooperation and, through joint efforts and sacrifices, secure for
their peoples and posterity the blessings of peace, freedom and
prosperity.
The ASEAN Declaration
(8 August 1967)

Table of Contents
Introduction ....................................................................................

ASEAN ...........................................................................................

Objectives and Principles of The Establishment of Asean ...........

The Asean Charter .........................................................................

Asean Political-Security Community (Aspc) .................................

Asean Economic Community (AEC) ..............................................

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Asean Socio-Cultural Community (Ascc) ....................................

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TOWARDS AN ASEAN COMMUNITY 2015

INTRODUCTION
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was established
on 8 August, 1967. The Member States of the Association are Brunei
Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, LAO PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar,
Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam. Malaysia as a founding
member of ASEAN is very committed to achieve the objectives of ASEAN
establishment and ASEAN Community 2015.

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

Efforts to establish regional cooperation continuously held especially
after the conclusion of the Malaysia and Indonesias confrontation in
August 1966.
During negotiation in Bangkok in early August 1967, five Foreign
Ministers of ASEAN founding countries agreed to establish Association
of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Finally, the ASEAN Declaration also known as the Bangkok Declaration
was signed by the Foreign Ministers at that time were Tun Abdul Razak
(Malaysia), Adam Malik (Indonesia), Narciso R. Ramos (Philippines), R.
Rajaratnam (Singapore) and Thanat Khoman (Thailand).
This declaration set the goal and purpose of ASEAN establishment
and the membership openness to all countries in Southeast Asia. This
Declaration also proclaimed ASEAN as representing the aspirations
of Southeast Asia countries based on the spirit of friendship and cooperation to contribute towards peace, progress and prosperity of the
region.

TOWARDS AN ASEAN COMMUNITY 2015

OBJECTIVES AND PRINCIPLES OF THE ESTABLISHMENT

OF ASEAN
Bangkok Declaration 1967 set a goal of ASEAN establishment that is to
accelerate the economic growth, social and cultural development based
on the spirit of cooperation, partnership and equality to strengthen the
development of a progressive and peaceful community among ASEAN
member countries.
It is also aims to establish regional peace and stability by encouraging
member countries to establish intergovernmental relations with respect
to justice and laws as well as to adhere to the principles of the United
Nations Charter.
The Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) stated that,
cooperation and relation between ASEAN member countries are on the
following principles:

Respect the independence, superiority, equality, territorial integrity

and national identity of all nations.

The right of every country to lead, free from external interference,

subversion or coercion.

Resolution of differences or arguments peacefully.

Decline the use of military.

Effective cooperation between member countries.

TOWARDS AN ASEAN COMMUNITY 2015

THE ASEAN
CHARTER

TOWARDS AN ASEAN COMMUNITY 2015

THE ASEAN CHARTER

United by a common desire and collective will to live in a region
of lasting peace, security and stability, sustained economic growth,
shared prosperity and social progress, and to promote our vital
interests, ideal and aspirations.
The ASEAN Charter 2007
(20 November 2007)
The ASEAN Leaders adopted the ASEAN Charter at their Summit in
Singapore in November 2007. A High Level Task Force had drafted the
Charter, drawing upon the recommendations of an Eminent Persons
Group. The Charter embodies fundamental principles, goals, objectives
and structures of ASEAN cooperation, codifies all ASEAN norms, rules
and values, gives ASEAN a legal personality, determines the functions,
and develops areas of competence of key ASEAN bodies and their
relationship with one another.
With the entry into force of the ASEAN Charter on 15 December 2008,
ASEAN has become a rules-based intergovernmental organisation with a
legal personality. Some institutional changes include:

An improved structure to ensure greater efficiency and prompt

implementation of ASEAN agreements and decisions

Convening of the ASEAN Summit twice a year

Creation of an ASEAN Coordinating Council

Single Chairmanship for key high-level ASEAN bodies

Creation of a Committee of Permanent Representatives in Jakarta

Establishment of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on

Human Rights

TOWARDS AN ASEAN COMMUNITY 2015

ASEAN
POLITICAL-SECURITY
COMMUNITY (APSC)

TOWARDS AN ASEAN COMMUNITY 2015

ASEAN POLITICAL-SECURITY COMMUNITY (APSC)

A Rules-based Community of Shared Values and Norms

A Cohesive, Peaceful and Resilient Region with Shared
Responsibility for Comprehensive Security
A Dynamic and Outward-looking Region in An Integrated and
Integrated and Interdependent World.

The ASPC aims to ensure 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. To achieve this, the
APSC promotes political development in adherence to the principles of
democracy, the rule of law and good governance, and respect for the
promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms as
inscribed in the ASEAN Charter. It also subscribes to a comprehensive
approach to security. At the same time, the APSC seeks to strengthen
the mutually beneficial relations between ASEAN and its Dialogue
Partners and friends.
The APSC thus envisages the following key characteristics:

A rule-based 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.

The APSC has the following components: political development; shaping

and sharing of norms; conflict prevention; conflict resolution; postconflict peace building; and implementing mechanisms.
Notable progress has continued to be made across the various areas and
sectors under the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) since the
Blueprint towards establishing the APSC was adopted by the ASEAN
Leaders at the 14th ASEAN Summit in 2009. The APSC Blueprint is
guided by the ASEAN Charter and the principles and purposes contained
therein. It provides a roadmap and timetable to establish the APSC by
2015. It also leaves room for flexibility to continue programmes/activities

TOWARDS AN ASEAN COMMUNITY 2015

beyond 2015 in order to retain its significance and have an enduring

quality.
The APSC Blueprint envisages ASEAN to be a rules-based Community
of shared values and norms; a cohesive, peaceful, stable and resilient
region with shared responsibility for comprehensive security; as well as
a dynamic and outward-looking region in an increasingly integrated and
interdependent world. In the area of political cooperation , the stature of
the 1976 Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) has
been significantly enhanced. International interest in the TAC continues
to grow.
ASEAN is also making progress in conflict resolution and management.
The launch of the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation (AIPR)
during the 21st ASEAN Summit is a testimony to this effort. AIPR shall
be the ASEAN research institution on conflict resolution and conflict
management to enhance peace, security, and stability in the region. In
an effort to provide a framework for regional cooperation to tackle the
humanitarian aspects of landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW),
the 21st ASEAN Summit adopted the Statement on the Establishment of
an ASEAN Regional Mine Action Centre (ARMAC).
In further strengthening the promotion and protection of human right in
the region, ASEAN adopted the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration (AHRD)
and signed the Phnom Penh Statement on the adoption of the AHRD at
the 21st ASEAN Summit in November 2012. This is another milestone
for ASEAN in the implementation of relevant human rights provisions
as enshrined in the ASEAN Charter and the APSC Blueprint. Moving
forward, the focus of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on
Human Rights (AICHR) will be on the implementation and dissemination
of AHRD and the Phnom Penh Statement, including the translation of
AHRD into the national languages of ASEAN Member States,
On security cooperation, the ASEAN Regional Forum, which is entering
into its 20th year, has been working towards enhancing coordination with
other ASEAN Sectoral Bodies on cross-cutting issues in view of promoting
synergy and complementary among existing ASEAN mechanisms.
Cooperation under the framework of the ASEAN Defence Ministers

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TOWARDS AN ASEAN COMMUNITY 2015

Meeting (ADMM) has been progressing steadily. Among others, work is

being carried out towards the establishment of the ASEAN Peacekeeping
Centres Network and the ASEAN Defence Industry Collaboration. In the
ADMM-Plus front, three major exercises in the areas of Humanitarian
Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) and Military Medicine,
Counter Terrorism and Maritime Security will be conducted in 2013.
On the external relations front, ASEAN is vigorously intensifying dialogue
and cooperation with its Dialogue Partners, international and regional
organizations as well as with other external parties. External parties
increasingly regard ASEAN as one of the most successful regional
organisations, which serves as the central locomotive for peace, stability
and prosperity in the region and beyond. ASEAN is actively engaging
its Dialogue Partners to further enhance dialogue and cooperation with
them, In addition, ASEAN is solidifying its engagement with regional and
international organizations as well as international institutions and UN
Specialised Agencies.

TOWARDS AN ASEAN COMMUNITY 2015

ASEAN ECONOMIC
COMMUNITY (AEC)

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TOWARDS AN ASEAN COMMUNITY 2015

ASEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY (AEC)

Single Market and Production Base

Competitive Economic Region
Equitable Economic Development
Integration into the Global Economy

The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) is the realisation of the end

goal of regional economic integration by 2015 of the ten (10) economies
of the ASEAN Member States, namely Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia,
Lao PDR, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore,
Thailand and Viet Nam. The AEC will bring benefits to the peoples of
ASEAN by creating a more conducive environment through transparency,
predictability and consistency for businesses to flourish. This will in turn
benefit consumers who will have access to a cheaper and wider range of
goods and services and enjoy more extensive consumer protection. The
newer ASEAN Member States of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Viet
Nam stand to also gain through the many opportunities for production
networks created by an AEC and the productivity enhancing effects of
AECs emphasis on best practices.
ASEAN aims to achieve the AEC by facilitating free flow of goods,
services, investments and skilled labour, and free flow of capital;
increasing physical, institutional and people-to-people connectivity to
bring down the cost of doing business; narrowing the development gap
both within and between ASEAN Member States by instituting targeted
programmes; and finding synergy through engaging in bilateral FTAs
and consolidating the Plus One FTAs into a Regional Comprehensive
Economic Partnership (RCEP). Further, by tracking our progress and
performance against set targets through the AEC Scorecard mechanism.
Despite the still uncertain global environment, ASEAN maintained its
economic resilience with the economic growth of 5.6 percent in 2012 from
4.7 percent in 2011, underpinned by strong domestic demand. The need
to stay resilient against global uncertainties has also pushed the region
to pursue its integration agenda further. As a result, the AEC continued
to make good progress. By end-March 2013, around 78 percent of
measures due under the AEC Blueprint have been implemented, with
significant gains across pillars including the following:

TOWARDS AN ASEAN COMMUNITY 2015

Per capita income in the region had risen from USD2$,267 to

USD$3,759 in 2012
Total trade of ASEAN grew by 16.8%, from USD$2.05 trillion in 2010
to USD$2.4 trillion in 2011; intra-ASEAN trade reached USD$598
billion from USD$520 billion, an increase of 15.1%, over the same
period.
ASEAN continued to attract foreign investments, generating a
record USD$114 billion FDI inflow in 2011, a 23% increase from
USD$92 billion in 2010;
The ASEAN Comprehensive Investment Agreement (ACIA) is now
enforced;
The landmark ASEAN Agreement on Movement of Natural Persons
(MNP) has been signed;
The pilot implementation of the ASEAN Single Window, which is
expected to contribute to improved trade facilitation in the region,
is well underway; while in transport facilitation, renewed progress is
made in the ratification of agreements;
A work program was also developed to address non-tariff barrier
(NTBs), including enhancement of non-tariff measures (NTMs)
database and engagement of private sector to obtain feedback on
NTB/NTM) issues.

Over the last year, the regions financial markets have been deepened, with
greater focus on capital market development and banking and insurance
market integration. This has led to a strong financial intermediation in
the region to support trade integration. Efforts to implement the ASEAN
Framework for Equitable Economic Development which is intended to
narrow the development gaps in the region have gained momentum,
with new initiatives being introduced like financial inclusion. Meanwhile,
negotiations for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership,
which will further cement ASEANs centrality when completed by 2015,
have also started.
Despite this progress, realising the AEC is still a challenge, particularly
with the uncertain global environment.
Nonetheless, the AEC is still the best strategic response by the region in
preserving its competitive strength. Over the years, work has intensified

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TOWARDS AN ASEAN COMMUNITY 2015

at varying levels to implement the elements of the AEC. While there have
been important and positive achievements, more efforts are still needed
achieve the integration targets. As the AEC draws near, and following the
priorities set by the Leaders in the Phnom Penh Agenda during the 20th
Summit in April 2012, it has become clear that countries need to redouble
their efforts and take active steps to realise the AEC by 2015.

Host Country

Cumulative FDI
Net Inflow to ASEAN,
2006 - 2011
nominal in
million USD

share to total
in %

Brunei Darussalam

3,229.3

Cambodia

4,379.0

0.7
1.0

Indonesia

59,049.5

13.1

Lao PDR

1,690.6

0.4

Malaysia

44,421.1

9.9

Myanmar

3,531.7

0.8

Philippines

11,904.0

2.6

Singapore

229,391.6

50.9

Thailand

51,072.4

11.3

Viet Nam

41,748.0

9.3

450,417.3

100.0

ASEAN

Source :
ASEANStats Database as of September 2012 for FDI.

TOWARDS AN ASEAN COMMUNITY 2015

ASEAN TRADE 2011

Country
Intra ASEAN
ANZ
Canada

Value in
million USD
598,242.24
67,711.14
10,771.15

China

280,405.55

EU-27

234,776.15

India

68,428.78

Japan

273,347.07

Korea, Republic of

124,470.90

Pakistan
Russia

6,767.45
13,967.45

USA

198,785.95

Others

510,910.05

Trade

2,388,592.28

Source :
ASEANStats Database as of November 2012 for Trade.

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TOWARDS AN ASEAN COMMUNITY 2015

ASEAN
SOCIO-CULTURAL
COMMUNITY (ASCC)

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ASEAN SOCIO-CULTURAL COMMUNITY (ASCC)

Human Development
Social Welfare and Protection
Social Justice and Rights
Ensuring Environmental Sustainability
Building ASEAN Identity
Narrowing the Development Gap

The ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community aims to contribute to 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 seeks to forge a common identity and
build a caring and sharing society which is inclusive and where the wellbeing, livelihood, and welfare of the people are enhanced. The ASCC
strives to bring out the human dimension of ASEAN cooperation and
an abiding commitment to address the regions aspiration to lift the
quality of life for its people. The character and depth of cooperation
are critical to bring ASEAN closer to peoples heart and to promote a
caring and sharing ASEAN community. The ASCC Blueprint (2009-2015)
provides a framework to strengthen the ASEAN Community belief in their
peoples, appreciation of their shared cultural heritage, uphold and extol
shared values, and strengthen the capacities and effectiveness of their
institutions.
The ASCC Blueprint provides strategic directions in key focus areas:

Human Development: Equitable access to human development

opportunities by promoting and investing in education and lifelong learning, human resource training and capacity building,
encourage innovation and entrepreneurship, promote the use
of English language, ICT and applied science and technology in
socio-economic development activities.

Social Welfare and Protection: Alleviation of poverty, ensuring

social welfare and protection, building a safe, secure and drug free
environment, enhancing disaster resilience and addressing health
development concerns.

TOWARDS AN ASEAN COMMUNITY 2015

Social Justice and Rights: Promotion of social justice and

mainstreaming peoples right into its policies and all spheres of life
- including the right and welfare of disadvantage, vulnerable and
marginalized groups such as women, children, the elderly, persons
with disabilities and migrant workers.

Environmental Sustainability: Protection of natural resource of

economic and social development including the sustainable
management and conservation of soil, water, mineral, energy,
biodiversity, forest, coastal and marine resources as well as the
improvement in water and air quality for the ASEAN region.

Building ASEAN Identity: Mainstream and promote greater

awareness and common values in the spirit of unity in diversity at
all levels of society in ASEAN.

Narrowing the Development Gap: Reduction of development gap

in particular the social dimensions of development between the
ASEAN-6 and the CLMV countries and within ASEAN where some
isolated pockets of under development persist.

Progress in ASCC includes key initiatives such as the following:

The ASEAN Curriculum Sourcebook and development of the

ASEAN Studies Course for undergraduate students are in place,
while the ASCCs priority focus will be on compulsory, early
childhood education.

On health and communicable diseases, an ASEAN Work Plan on

Malaria was drafted following the 7th EAS Declaration on Regional
Responses to Malaria Control and Addressing Resistance to AntiMalarial Medicines adopted last November 2012. Activities are also
being conducted among 13 areas/cities among ASEAN Member
States (AMS) in localising in implementation of ASEAN Declaration
of Commitment on HIV and AIDS through the ASEAN Cities
Getting to Zeros Project. Priority initiatives are also articulated by
the 11th ASEAN Health Ministers Meeting last July 2012 on NonCommunicable Diseases (NCDs)

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ASEAN helps each other in times of disasters and coordinates relief

from the region and all over the world to help its fellow Member
States rise from natural disasters. The ASEAN Coordinating Centre
for Humanitarian Assistance (AHA Centre) is demonstrating its
value to regional disaster resilience. An ASEAN stockpile of relief
items was drawn for the first time following the 11 November
2012 earthquake affecting over 6,000 people in the Mandalay and
Sagaing regions of Myanmar, and then subsequently in Mindanao,
the Philippines, which was hit by Typhoon Bopha in December
2012 affecting over 6 million people.

The ASEAN Action Plan on Joint Response to Climate Change was

adopted by the 12th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Environment
held on 26 September 2012, to implement the ASEAN Leaders
Statement on Joint Response to Climate Change issued in 2010.
The road towards a Disaster Resilient ASEAN is not limited to
prioritizing emergency response, strong disaster management
systems and instilling risk reduction, but increasingly about linking
environmentally sustainable livelihoods and adapting to climate
change. The ASCC is laying more emphasis by making one of
this years priorities to develop a stronger strategic framework in
disaster management and climate change.

The drafting of the ASEAN instrument on the protection and

promotion of the rights of migrant workers is on-going with the
target of finalisation by end-2014.

Regional integration that also improve condition of vulnerable

groups are being addressed this year through a regional framework
to improve the quality, coverage and sustainability of social
protection and increased capacity of social risk management.

Highlighting challenges and opportunities facing ASEANs Youth

and their contribution to economic development and sustainability
of the region is being addressed this year. The establishment of a
regional youth volunteer corps will boast ASEAN solidarity through
voluntary community services in areas such as rural development,
disaster relief, health, education and the environment as well as

TOWARDS AN ASEAN COMMUNITY 2015

supporting people with disabilities and fostering entrepreneurial

skills.

ASEAN is strengthening its commitment to combat violence

against women and children and assist victims through protection,
services, rehabilitation, recovery and reintegration. The ASEAN
Commission on Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women
and Children (ACWC) promotes public awareness through an
annual public campaign to stop violence against women and
children, compile country best practices preventing and combating
violence against women and children, develop guidelines for
non-violent approach to child rearing and child rearing and child
caring in various settings, and draft an ASEAN Declaration on the
Elimination of Violence Against Women and Children.

The 2012 ASEAN-EU Year of Science, Technology, and Innovation

(YoSTI) was a year-long campaign of activities to promote and
raise the visibility of S&T cooperation between the two regions.
The Regional EU-ASEAN Dialogue Instrument (READI) funded
activities such ASEAN-EU Journalists workshop in Singapore and
two scientific workshops in Indonesia and Viet Nam. The second
phase of the SEA-EU-NET project was launched with the ASEAN
Committee on Science and Technology holding a dialogue with
European Commission in Brussels in December 2012. Similarly, the
2012 ASEAN-China Year of Science and Technology Cooperation
saw the launching of China-ASEAN Science and Technology
Enhanced Partnership (STEP) Programme at the 1st ASEAN-China
Ministerial Meeting on Science and Technology on 22 September
2012 in Nanning, China.

The Declaration of ASEAN Unity in Cultural Diversity: Towards

Strengthening ASEAN Community (adopted in November 2011)
further promote a sense of belonging, and enhance deeper mutual
understanding among AMS about their cultures, religions, and
civilisation. A series of activities under the theme Festival of
ASEAN Cultural Expressions, together with many other cultural
and art initiatives, are being planned to realise this Declaration.

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An innovative approach to engage younger generation through

different information platforms, including new media and the social
network, is being pursued to ensure that the information and
media sectors contribute more in connecting peoples and bridging
cultures towards One ASEAN Community.

2013 has been designated as ASEAN Sports Industry Year to

engage to private sector in sports and activities to promote
healthier lifestyles and contribute to a stronger regional identity.

Efforts towards building an effective governance framework and

coordination mechanism leveraging on multi-sectoral partnerships
remain an important priority in the ASCC Community. Lively exchanges
addressing cross-cutting issues include, among others, Climate Change;
Disaster Management; Energy and Food Security; Emerging Infectious
Diseases; Poverty Alleviation; Financial Crises.
Resource mobilisation remained a core concern of the ASCC as it
examined opportunities for internal resources, including exploring the
role of traditional sources of funding such as the ASEAN Development
Fund, including the potential of newer sources of funding.