History

The Founding of ASEAN

On 8 August 1967, five leaders – the Foreign Ministers of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand –
sat down together in the main hall of the Department of Foreign Affairs building in Bangkok, Thailand and signed a document. By
virtue of that document, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was born. The five Foreign Ministers who signed it
– Adam Malik of Indonesia, Narciso R. Ramos of the Philippines, Tun Abdul Razak of Malaysia, S. Rajaratnam of Singapore, and
Thanat Khoman of Thailand – would subsequently be hailed as the Founding Fathers of probably the most successful inter-
governmental organization in the developing world today. And the document that they signed would be known as the ASEAN
Declaration.

It was a short, simply-worded document containing just five articles. It declared the establishment of an Association for
Regional Cooperation among the Countries of Southeast Asia to be known as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN) and spelled out the aims and purposes of that Association. These aims and purposes were about cooperation in the
economic, social, cultural, technical, educational and other fields, and in the promotion of regional peace and stability through
abiding respect for justice and the rule of law and adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter. It stipulated that
the Association would be open for participation by all States in the Southeast Asian region subscribing to its aims, principles and
purposes. It proclaimed ASEAN as representing “the collective will of the nations of Southeast Asia to bind themselves together
in friendship and cooperation and, through joint efforts and sacrifices, secure for their peoples and for posterity the blessings of
peace, freedom and prosperity.”

It was while Thailand was brokering reconciliation among Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia over certain disputes
that it dawned on the four countries that the moment for regional cooperation had come or the future of the region would
remain uncertain. Recalls one of the two surviving protagonists of that historic process, Thanat Khoman of Thailand: “At the
banquet marking the reconciliation between the three disputants, I broached the idea of forming another organization for
regional cooperation with Adam Malik. Malik agreed without hesitation but asked for time to talk with his government and also
to normalize relations with Malaysia now that the confrontation was over. Meanwhile, the Thai Foreign Office prepared a draft
charter of the new institution. Within a few months, everything was ready. I therefore invited the two former members of the
Association for Southeast Asia (ASA), Malaysia and the Philippines, and Indonesia, a key member, to a meeting in Bangkok. In
addition, Singapore sent S. Rajaratnam, then Foreign Minister, to see me about joining the new set-up. Although the new
organization was planned to comprise only the ASA members plus Indonesia, Singapore’s request was favorably considered.”

And so in early August 1967, the five Foreign Ministers spent four days in the relative isolation of a beach resort in Bang
Saen, a coastal town less than a hundred kilometers southeast of Bangkok. There they negotiated over that document in a
decidedly informal manner which they would later delight in describing as “sports-shirt diplomacy.” Yet it was by no means an
easy process: each man brought into the deliberations a historical and political perspective that had no resemblance to that of
any of the others. But with goodwill and good humor, as often as they huddled at the negotiating table, they finessed their way
through their differences as they lined up their shots on the golf course and traded wisecracks on one another’s game, a style of
deliberation which would eventually become the ASEAN ministerial tradition.

Now, with the rigors of negotiations and the informalities of Bang Saen behind them, with their signatures neatly
attached to the ASEAN Declaration, also known as the Bangkok Declaration, it was time for some formalities. The first to speak
was the Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Narciso Ramos, a one-time journalist and long-time legislator who had given up a
chance to be Speaker of the Philippine Congress to serve as one of his country’s first diplomats. He was then 66 years old and his
only son, the future President Fidel V. Ramos, was serving with the Philippine Civic Action Group in embattled Vietnam. He
recalled the tediousness of the negotiations that preceded the signing of the Declaration that “truly taxed the goodwill, the
imagination, the patience and understanding of the five participating Ministers.” That ASEAN was established at all in spite of
these difficulties, he said, meant that its foundations had been solidly laid. And he impressed it on the audience of diplomats,
officials and media people who had witnessed the signing ceremony that a great sense of urgency had prompted the Ministers
to go through all that trouble. He spoke darkly of the forces that were arrayed against the survival of the countries of Southeast
Asia in those uncertain and critical times.
“The fragmented economies of Southeast Asia,” he said, “(with) each country pursuing its own limited objectives and dissipating
its meager resources in the overlapping or even conflicting endeavors of sister states carry the seeds of weakness in their
incapacity for growth and their self-perpetuating dependence on the advanced, industrial nations. ASEAN, therefore, could
marshal the still untapped potentials of this rich region through more substantial united action.”

When it was his turn to speak, Adam Malik, Presidium Minister for Political Affairs and Minister for Foreign Affairs of
Indonesia, recalled that about a year before, in Bangkok, at the conclusion of the peace talks between Indonesia and Malaysia,
he had explored the idea of an organization such as ASEAN with his Malaysian and Thai counterparts. One of the “angry young
men” in his country’s struggle for independence two decades earlier, Adam Malik was then 50 years old and one of a Presidium
of five led by then General Soeharto that was steering Indonesia from the verge of economic and political chaos. He was the
Presidium’s point man in Indonesia’s efforts to mend fences with its neighbors in the wake of an unfortunate policy of
confrontation. During the past year, he said, the Ministers had all worked together toward the realization of the ASEAN idea,
“making haste slowly, in order to build a new association for regional cooperation.”

Adam Malik went on to describe Indonesia’s vision of a Southeast Asia developing into “a region which can stand on its
own feet, strong enough to defend itself against any negative influence from outside the region.” Such a vision, he stressed, was
not wishful thinking, if the countries of the region effectively cooperated with each other, considering their combined natural
resources and manpower. He referred to differences of outlook among the member countries, but those differences, he said,
would be overcome through a maximum of goodwill and understanding, faith and realism. Hard work, patience and
perseverance, he added, would also be necessary.

The countries of Southeast Asia should also be willing to take responsibility for whatever happens to them, according to
Tun Abdul Razak, the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, who spoke next. In his speech, he conjured a vision of an ASEAN that
would include all the countries of Southeast Asia. Tun Abdul Razak was then concurrently his country’s Minister of Defence and
Minister of National Development. It was a time when national survival was the overriding thrust of Malaysia’s relations with
other nations and so as Minister of Defence, he was in charge of his country’s foreign affairs. He stressed that the countries of
the region should recognize that unless they assumed their common responsibility to shape their own destiny and to prevent
external intervention and interference, Southeast Asia would remain fraught with danger and tension. And unless they took
decisive and collective action to prevent the eruption of intra-regional conflicts, the nations of Southeast Asia would remain
susceptible to manipulation, one against another.

“We the nations and peoples of Southeast Asia,” Tun Abdul Razak said, “must get together and form by ourselves a new
perspective and a new framework for our region. It is important that individually and jointly we should create a deep awareness
that we cannot survive for long as independent but isolated peoples unless we also think and act together and unless we prove
by deeds that we belong to a family of Southeast Asian nations bound together by ties of friendship and goodwill and imbued
with our own ideals and aspirations and determined to shape our own destiny”. He added that, “with the establishment of
ASEAN, we have taken a firm and a bold step on that road”.

For his part, S. Rajaratnam, a former Minister of Culture of multi-cultural Singapore who, at that time, served as its first
Foreign Minister, noted that two decades of nationalist fervor had not fulfilled the expectations of the people of Southeast Asia
for better living standards. If ASEAN would succeed, he said, then its members would have to marry national thinking with
regional thinking.

“We must now think at two levels,” Rajaratnam said. “We must think not only of our national interests but posit them against
regional interests: that is a new way of thinking about our problems. And these are two different things and sometimes they can
conflict. Secondly, we must also accept the fact, if we are really serious about it, that regional existence means painful
adjustments to those practices and thinking in our respective countries. We must make these painful and difficult adjustments. If
we are not going to do that, then regionalism remains a utopia.”

S. Rajaratnam expressed the fear, however, that ASEAN would be misunderstood. “We are not against anything”, he
said, “not against anybody”. And here he used a term that would have an ominous ring even today: balkanization. In Southeast
Asia, as in Europe and any part of the world, he said, outside powers had a vested interest in the balkanization of the region.
“We want to ensure,” he said, “a stable Southeast Asia, not a balkanized Southeast Asia. And those countries who are

interested, genuinely interested, in the stability of Southeast Asia, the prosperity of Southeast Asia, and better economic and
social conditions, will welcome small countries getting together to pool their collective resources and their collective wisdom to
contribute to the peace of the world.”

The goal of ASEAN, then, is to create, not to destroy. This, the Foreign Minister of Thailand, Thanat Khoman, stressed
when it was his turn to speak. At a time when the Vietnam conflict was raging and American forces seemed forever entrenched
in Indochina, he had foreseen their eventual withdrawal from the area and had accordingly applied himself to adjusting
Thailand’s foreign policy to a reality that would only become apparent more than half a decade later. He must have had that in
mind when, on that occasion, he said that the countries of Southeast Asia had no choice but to adjust to the exigencies of the
time, to move toward closer cooperation and even integration. Elaborating on ASEAN objectives, he spoke of “building a new
society that will be responsive to the needs of our time and efficiently equipped to bring about, for the enjoyment and the
material as well as spiritual advancement of our peoples, conditions of stability and progress. Particularly what millions of men
and women in our part of the world want is to erase the old and obsolete concept of domination and subjection of the past and
replace it with the new spirit of give and take, of equality and partnership. More than anything else, they want to be master of
their own house and to enjoy the inherent right to decide their own destiny …”

While the nations of Southeast Asia prevent attempts to deprive them of their freedom and sovereignty, he said, they
must first free themselves from the material impediments of ignorance, disease and hunger. Each of these nations cannot
accomplish that alone, but by joining together and cooperating with those who have the same aspirations, these objectives
become easier to attain. Then Thanat Khoman concluded: “What we have decided today is only a small beginning of what we
hope will be a long and continuous sequence of accomplishments of which we ourselves, those who will join us later and the
generations to come, can be proud. Let it be for Southeast Asia, a potentially rich region, rich in history, in spiritual as well as
material resources and indeed for the whole ancient continent of Asia, the light of happiness and well-being that will shine over
the uncounted millions of our struggling peoples.”

The Foreign Minister of Thailand closed the inaugural session of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations by
presenting each of his colleagues with a memento. Inscribed on the memento presented to the Foreign Minister of Indonesia,
was the citation, “In recognition of services rendered by His Excellency Adam Malik to the ASEAN organization, the name of
which was suggested by him.”

And that was how ASEAN was conceived, given a name, and born. It had been barely 14 months since Thanat Khoman
brought up the ASEAN idea in his conversations with his Malaysian and Indonesian colleagues. In about three more weeks,
Indonesia would fully restore diplomatic relations with Malaysia, and soon after that with Singapore. That was by no means the
end to intra-ASEAN disputes, for soon the Philippines and Malaysia would have a falling out on the issue of sovereignty over
Sabah. Many disputes between ASEAN countries persist to this day. But all Member Countries are deeply committed to resolving
their differences through peaceful means and in the spirit of mutual accommodation. Every dispute would have its proper
season but it would not be allowed to get in the way of the task at hand. And at that time, the essential task was to lay the
framework of regional dialogue and cooperation.

The two-page Bangkok Declaration not only contains the rationale for the establishment of ASEAN and its specific
objectives. It represents the organization’s modus operandi of building on small steps, voluntary, and informal arrangements
towards more binding and institutionalized agreements. All the founding member states and the newer members have stood
fast to the spirit of the Bangkok Declaration. Over the years, ASEAN has progressively entered into several formal and legally-
binding instruments, such as the 1976 Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia and the 1995 Treaty on the Southeast
Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone.
Against the backdrop of conflict in the then Indochina, the Founding Fathers had the foresight of building a community of and
for all Southeast Asian states. Thus the Bangkok Declaration promulgated that “the Association is open for participation to all
States in the Southeast Asian region subscribing to the aforementioned aims, principles and purposes.” ASEAN’s inclusive
outlook has paved the way for community-building not only in Southeast Asia, but also in the broader Asia Pacific region where
several other inter-governmental organizations now co-exist.

The original ASEAN logo presented five brown sheaves of rice stalks, one for each founding member. Beneath the
sheaves is the legend “ASEAN” in blue. These are set on a field of yellow encircled by a blue border. Brown stands for strength
and stability, yellow for prosperity and blue for the spirit of cordiality in which ASEAN affairs are conducted. When ASEAN
celebrated its 30th Anniversary in 1997, the sheaves on the logo had increased to ten – representing all ten countries of
Southeast Asia and reflecting the colors of the flags of all of them. In a very real sense, ASEAN and Southeast Asia would then be
one and the same, just as the Founding Fathers had envisioned.

This article is based on the first chapter of ASEAN at 30, a publication of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in
commemoration of its 30th Anniversary on 8 August 1997, written by Jamil Maidan Flores and Jun Abad.

Emblem of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations

The Emblem of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations is the emblem of ASEAN adopted in July 1997 together with the ASEAN
flag. Although the current emblem was already in use for years, the official guidelines were adopted at the 6th Meeting of the ASEAN
Coordinating Council (ACC) in Hanoi, 8 April 2010.

Emblem of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations

Adopted 1997
Blazon Set upon a red circle
background, ten
yellow paddy or rice stalks
are drawn in the middle.
Under the rice stalks the
organisation name
abbreviation "asean" is
written in lower
case Helvetica font in
blue. The red circle is
drawn with a white and
blue circumference.
Construction
Set upon a red circle background, ten yellow paddy or rice stalks are drawn in the middle. Under the rice stalks the organisation
name abbreviation "asean" is written in lower case Helvetica font in blue. The red circle is drawn with a white and blue
circumference.
The colours of the emblem are specified as follows:

Scheme Blue Red White Yellow

Pantone Pantone 286 Pantone Red 032 Pantone Process Yellow

CMYK C100-M60-Y0-K6 C0-M91-Y87-K0 C0-M0-Y0-K0 C0-M0-Y100-K0

RGB 34-85-158 227-49-49 255-255-255 248-244-0

Symbolism

1. The ASEAN Emblem represents a stable, peaceful, united and dynamic ASEAN. The colours of the Emblem — blue, red,
white and yellow — represent the main colours of the state crests of all the ASEAN Member States.
2. Blue represents peace and stability, red depicts courage and dynamism, white shows purity and yellow symbolises
prosperity.
3. The ten bound stalks of rice in the centre of the Emblem represent the member states of ASEAN. They represent the
dream of ASEAN's Founding Fathers for an ASEAN comprising all the countries in Southeast Asia, bound together in
friendship and solidarity.
4. The circle represents the unity of ASEAN.
History
The design was based on rice, the staple food and probably the most important crop for the Southeast Asian people.
Since ancient times, rice is always associated with prosperity, welfare and wealth. This corresponds to the vision of the founding
fathers of ASEAN to create a peaceful and prosperous region in Southeast Asia. The current design is derived from the previous
emblem, also featuring a bundle of padi rice stalks bound together in unity. The difference is the rice stalks was six to represent
the five founding nations of ASEAN (Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand) added with Brunei (joined on 8
January 1984). The old emblem background was white. The name "asean" was placed under the rice stalks in the centre of a
yellow circle with cyan circumference. Both the circle border and "asean" letters were in cyan, while the rice stalks was in golden
brown.
After the expansion of ASEAN members with the admission of Vietnam on 28 July 1995, motivated by the vision of
ASEAN comprising all ten Southeast Asian nations, there was a suggestion to update the emblem and flag of ASEAN; the addition
of four more rice stalks to represent the whole ten ASEAN nations. The three remaining nations; Laos, Burma, and Cambodia
were scheduled to join ASEAN in July 1997, to commemorate this auspicious event, the new emblem of ASEAN was unveiled.
Laos and Burma (Myanmar) joined on 23 July 1997, however the admission of Cambodia was postponed to 30 April 1999 due to
their internal politic problems. Despite the Cambodian postponed membership, the ASEAN new emblem still consisted of ten
rice stalks unveiled in July 1997.
Membership – BRUNEI, CAMBODIA, INDONESIA, LAOS, MALAYSIA, MYANMAR, PHILIPPINES, SINGAPORE, THAILAND ,
VIETNAM
OBSERVER AND CANDIDATE FOR MEMBER- PAPUA NEW GUINEA, EAST TIMOR

Membership
10 States ― Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and
Vietnam.
1 Observer – Papua New Guinea.

ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Membership

27 States – Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Canada, China, European Union, India, Indonesia,
Japan, Democratic Peoples’ Republic of Korea, Republic of Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Mongolia, New Zealand, Pakistan,
Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Russian Federation, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor Leste, United States, and Vietnam.
Resources

 ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF)History

ASEAN was established on 8 August 1967 in Bangkok by the five original member countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines,
Singapore, and Thailand. Brunei Darussalam joined on 8 January 1984, Vietnam on 28 July 1995, Laos and Myanmar on 23 July
1997, and Cambodia on 30 April 1999.
Objectives
The ASEAN Declaration states that the aims and purposes of the Association are: (1) to accelerate the economic growth, social
progress and cultural development in the region through joint endeavors in the spirit of equality and partnership in order to
strengthen the foundation for a prosperous and peaceful community of Southeast Asian nations, and (2) to promote regional
peace and stability through abiding respect for justice and the rule of law in the relationship among countries in the region and
adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter. In 1995, the ASEAN Heads of State and Government re-affirmed that
“Cooperative peace and shared prosperity shall be the fundamental goals of ASEAN.”
Fundamental Principles

The Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) in Southeast Asia, signed at the First ASEAN Summit on 24 February 1976,
declared that in their relations with one another, the High Contracting Parties should be guided by the following fundamental
principles:
 Mutual respect for the independence, sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity, and national identity of all
nations;
 The right of every State to lead its national existence free from external interference, subversion, or coercion;
 Non-interference in the internal affairs of one another;
 Settlement of differences or disputes by peaceful manner;
 Renunciation of the threat or use of force; and
 Effective cooperation among themselves.

Political Cooperation
The TAC stated that ASEAN political and security dialogue and cooperation should aim to promote regional peace and
stability by enhancing regional resilience. Regional resilience shall be achieved by cooperating in all fields based on the
principles of self-confidence, self-reliance, mutual respect, cooperation, and solidarity, which shall constitute the foundation
for a strong and viable community of nations in Southeast Asia.
Some of the major political accords of ASEAN are as follows:
 ASEAN Declaration, Bangkok, 8 August 1967
 Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality Declaration, Kuala Lumpur, 27 November 1971
 Declaration of ASEAN Concord, Bali, 24 February 1976
 Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, Bali, 24 February 1976
 ASEAN Declaration on the South China Sea, Manila, 22 July 1992
 Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone, Bangkok, 15 December 1997
 ASEAN Vision 2020, Kuala Lumpur, 15 December 1997
 Declaration on Joint Action to Counter Terrorism, 5 November 2001
 Declaration of ASEAN Concord II, Bali, 7 October 2003
 ASEAN Convention on Counter Terrorism (ACCT), 11 January 2007
 Cebu Declaration on the Acceleration of the Establishment of an ASEAN Community by 2015, 11 January 2007
 ASEAN Declaration on Joint Action to Counter Terrorism, 5 November 2001; and
 Joint Declaration of the ASEAN Defence Ministers on Promoting Defence Cooperation for a Dynamic ASEAN
Community, 25 May 2016.

Although ASEAN States cooperate mainly on economic and social issues, the organization has a security function, with a
long-discussed program for confidence-building measures and for establishing a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Southeast Asia,
with the objective of implementing ASEAN’s 1971 Declaration on a Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality (ZOPFAN), and a
Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ), which would be a component of ZOPFAN.
Verification and Compliance
The ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) is an important multilateral forum for political and security consultations and
cooperation. The ARF has begun to explore activities where there is overlap between confidence-building measures and
preventive diplomacy. ASEAN Member States are urged to settle disputes through friendly negotiations applying the
procedures of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) of 1976. However, the Member States are not obliged to use the
Treaty stipulations for the peaceful settlement of disputes. In case a State resorts to the use of force, no system of collective
security is foreseen.
Developments

2019

On 1 March, the 10th meeting of the ASEAN-US Joint Cooperation Committee took place in Jakarta. Both parties discussed
shared strategic priorities, including transnational crime, cybersecurity, and developments in the U.S.-DPRK relationship.

2018

 On 5 January, Dato Lim Jock Hoi assumed office as ASEAN’s new secretary general—he will serve from 2018-2022.
 On 18 March, ASEAN and Australia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on counter terrorism, while jointly
expressing grave concerns for the DPRK’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
 In April, ASEAN Centre for Energy published the report Pre-Feasibility Study on the Establishment of Nuclear Power Plant in
ASEAN, outlining the recent developments and prospects of civilian nuclear power for the ASEAN member states.
 On 25 September, Thailand ratified the CTBT. With Thailand’s ratification, all ten ASEAN countries have now ratified the
treaty.
 From 13-15 November, the 33rd ASEAN summit took place in Singapore. The 6th ASEAN-U.S. Summit also took place on the
sidelines of the larger ASEAN summit, at which U.S. Vice President Mike Pence stated that North Korea must disclose “a
complete list” of its weapons and facilities at the two countries’ next meeting. The outgoing ASEAN Chair, Singapore Prime
Minister Lee Hsien Loong, handed over the ASEAN chairmanship to Thailand Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha at the
conclusion of the larger summit.

2017

 On 14 February, ASEAN expressed its grave concern over the DPRK’s test firing of on the Pukguksong-2 MRBM on
12 February 2017.
 On March 2, the 24th meeting of the ASEAN-EU Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) was held in Jakarta.
 On March 8, the ASEAN expressed its grave concern over the firing of ballistic missiles by the DPRK in the early
morning of 6 March, 2017, reaffirming the importance of peace and security in the Korean Peninsula and its full
support for the denuclearization of the peninsula in a peaceful manner.
 On April 29-30 the 30th ASEAN Summit was held in Manila, Philippines.
 On August 5, the ASEAN released a statement of the development in the Korean Peninsula, reiterating grave
concern over the escalation of tensions in the peninsula.

2016

 On 16 March, the new ambassador of the DPRK to ASEAN assumed office. Secretary-General
Minh welcomed Ambassador An and reiterated the importance of working toward peace and stability on the
Korean Peninsula.
 On 12 April, during the 17th meeting of the ASEAN-China Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC), the two sides
renewed commitments to forge greater cooperation.
 On 25-26 May, the 10th annual ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) was held in Vientiane, Laos. The Joint
Declaration of the 10th ADMM reiterates all Member States’ commitment to responding effectively to
transnational crimes and transboundary challenges.
 On 6-7 September, the 28th and 29th ASEAN Summits took place in Vientiane, Laos.
 On 8 September, the 11th East Asia Summit (EAS) was held in Vientiane, Laos. The EAS released a statement on non-
proliferation, emphasizing the importance of advancing the goals of all three pillars of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of
Nuclear Weapons (NPT). The group also reaffirmed its commitment to preserving the SEANWFZ.

2015

 On 15-17 March, the 9th ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) was held in Langkawi, Malaysia. On 16 March, the 10
defense ministers signed a joint declaration with a focus on regional security cooperation, especially against terrorist threats
posed by groups like the Islamic State (IS).
 On 27 April, the 26th ASEAN Summit took place under Malaysia’s chairmanship. The chairman addressed the commitment to a
region free of weapons of mass destruction.
 On 28 April, Ambassador H.E. U Kyaw Tin of Myanmar delivered a statement on behalf of ASEAN members at the 2015 NPT
Review Conference, addressing nuclear disarmament, nonproliferation, and the peaceful use of nuclear energy. In the
statement, he emphasized ASEAN’s commitment and support for a world free of nuclear weapons.
 On 9 June, Malaysia, on behalf of ASEAN, delivered a statement at the second session of the Conference on Disarmament. In
the statement, Ambassador Mazlan Muhammad reiterated that ASEAN Member States always regard nuclear disarmament
as their priority and suggested the creation of a clear timeline to ensure the fulfilment of the Conference’s objectives. He also
mentioned the Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (NWFZ) issue, the disappointing outcome of the 2015 NPT Review Conference, the
humanitarian consequences of the use of nuclear weapons, as well as other relevant disarmament issues.
 On 4 August, the 48th ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. ASEAN members issued a
joint statement, in which they reaffirmed ASEAN’s commitment to preserving Southeast Asia as a NWFZ and called for the full
implementation of the Plan of Action to Strengthen the Implementation of the Treaty on the SEANWFZ (2013-2017).
 On 8 October, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar delivered a statement on behalf of ASEAN during the opening
statements for the General Assembly First Committee. The statement outlined the group’s goals in relation to nuclear
nonproliferation, disarmament and peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
2014

 On 2 April, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel joined defense ministers from the 10 Asia-Pacific countries for an unofficial
meeting. The purpose of the meeting was to strengthen and “rebalance” the relationship between the United States and
ASEAN.
 On 27 May, the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime, through the Working Group on
Cybercrime, finalized a “roadmap” for ASEAN members to combat cybercrime through regional information sharing, capacity
building, and enforcement regulation. This was followed by the 9th ASEAN-Japan Counter-Terrorism Dialogue on 29-30 May in
Singapore. The meeting covered counter-terrorism in a variety of fields, including CBRN explosives and cyber-terrorism.
 On 5-10 August, the 47th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) was held in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar. In the meeting, the
delegates addressed the importance of nuclear nonproliferation, the commitment to Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free
Zone and the cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
 On 10 November, the 25th ASEAN Summit took place under Myanmar’s chairmanship. The chairman addressed the concern
on nuclear nonproliferation and other regional and international security issues.
 On 13 November, the 9th East Asia Summit (EAS) was held in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar. The Chairmanship expressed their
commitment to preserving Southeast Asia as a Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone and addressed other issues relevant to
disarmament, nonproliferation, maritime security, and counterterrorism.

2013

 On 9 January, Mr. Le Luong Minh of Vietnam assumed the position of ASEAN Secretary-General. He succeeds Dr.
Surin Pitsuwan of Thailand, and his term expires on 31 December 2017.
 On 11 January, Malaysia ratified the ASEAN Convention on Counter-Terrorism (ACCT), making it the tenth and
final member of ASEAN to do so.
 On 12 February, Secretary-General Le Luong Minh made a speech reaffirming the importance of the IAEA safeguards system.
He emphasized the vital role the IAEA plays under the SEANWFZ and encouraged ASEAN Member-States to cooperate with
the IAEA to the fullest.
 On 19 February, the Chairman of ASEAN issued a statement expressing concern over the DPRK’s underground nuclear test.
He further called for the DPRK to remember its obligations under United Nations Security Council Resolutions, and
emphasized the importance of dialogue in resolving the tension in the Korean Peninsula.
 From 24-25 April, the 22nd ASEAN Summit took place in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei. The group once more reaffirmed its
support for full implementation of the SEANWFZ and the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
 The 46th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting took place from 27 June-2 July in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam. Prince
Mohamed Bolkiah, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Brunei Darussalum, chaired the meeting. At the meeting, parties
adopted the Plan of Action to Strengthen the Implementation of the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free-
Zone, which continued to encourage compliance with the SEANFWZ Treaty and cooperation with the IAEA. The Joint
Communique released by the AMM also expressed support for the SEANWFZ Treaty and encouraged transparency in the
interests of nuclear safety.
2012

 On 2 April, Foreign Ministers of ASEAN member states began a two day summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. One of the key
topics is the planned rocket launch by North Korea. On 2 April, in Jakarta, the U.S. Deputy Assistant of State for Strategy and
Multilateral Affairs gave a lecture on U.S. multilateralism and Asia. The lecture was given on the 35th anniversary of U.S.-
ASEAN relations, and covered America’s role in promoting stability, fostering democracy and human rights, as well as
encouraging economic development. It also covered international issues and transnational crime.
 On 26 June, ASEAN and the Chinese government concluded a two-day meeting regarding the implementation of the
Declaration on the Conduct of Parties on the South China Sea (DOC). The meeting was intended to meet the following goals:
 Maintaining peace, stability, maritime security and safety and peaceful settlements of disputes on the basis of
international laws.
 Enhancing the relationship between ASEAN and China.
 On 17 November, Brazil acceded to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) in Southeast Asia, making it the first Latin
American country to do so.
 On 18 November, the 21st ASEAN Summit took place in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Mr. Le Luong Minh was appointed to serve
as Secretary-General of ASEAN beginning in 2013.The body reiterated its support for a denuclearized Korean Peninsula and
full implementation of the SEANWFZ.

2011
 At the 18th ASEAN Summit, which took place in May, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono of Indonesia called upon member
states of ASEAN to lower their dependency on fossil fuels and search for alternative methods to produce energy. Given the
nuclear catastrophe in Japan, Mr. Yudhoyono stated that nuclear energy needs to be reexamined. On 1 November, China
deposited its instrument of ratification of the Third Protocol Amending the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia
(TAC).
 On 15 November, Thailand deposited its instrument of ratification of the Third Protocol Amending the Treaty of Amity and
Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC).On 16 November, Brazil deposited its instrument of ratification of the Third Protocol
Amending the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC).
 On 18 November, ASEAN Foreign Ministers signed the Agreement on the Establishment of the ASEAN Coordinating Center for
Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management. The signing ceremony acted as the official launch of the center. The
Center is aimed at strengthening the collective response of ASEAN states to regional disasters.
 On 16-17 December, the inaugural China-ASEAN Beijing Economic Forum (CABEF) took place. The forum reaffirmed the
importance of bilateral dynamics between China and ASEAN and identified economic opportunities for the two sides.
 2010
On 24 March, the Philippines deposited its instrument of ratification to the ASEAN Convention on Counter-Terrorism (ACCT),
becoming the third state, after Singapore and Thailand, to ratify it. After six ASEAN member states ratify, ACCT will enter into
force.
 The 16th ASEAN Summit titled “Towards the Asean Community: from Vision to Action” was held on 9 April in Ha Noi, Viet
Nam. The Chairman’s statement reiterated commitment to the Southeast Asian NWFZ and its corresponding Plan of Action to
achieve a zone free of nuclear weapons. He also encouraged nuclear weapon states to sign the SEANWFZ Protocol to further
promote the nuclear weapon-free zone. Furthermore, the Chairman welcomed international efforts at the upcoming Nuclear
Security Summit in Washington D.C. and the NPT Review Conference in New York and reaffirmed support for a nuclear
weapon-free Korean Peninsula through peaceful negotiations. In his statement, the Chairman also emphasized the need to
fully implement the ACCT and its Comprehensive Plan of Action.
 On 4 May, H.E. Mr. Pham Binh Minh, First Deputy-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam, spoke on behalf of ASEAN at the
2010 NPT Review Conference in New York. In his statement, he noted that ASEAN continues to work with nuclear weapon
states for the early signing of the SEANWFZ Protocol. Related to this, ASEAN submitted a Memorandum on Activities to
demonstrate efforts undertaken through the SEANWFZ Treaty.
 On 24 September at the 2nd ASEAN-US Leaders’ Meeting in New York, ASEAN welcomed the U.S. announcement at the 2010
NPT Review Conference that it is prepared to engage in consultations to resolve issues which have prevented it from acceding
to the SEANWFZ Protocol. The statement also congratulated the United States on the successful outcome of the Nuclear
Security Summit and promised the support of ASEAN countries to work towards preventing nuclear terrorism.
 The 17th ASEAN Summit was held 28-30 October in Ha Noi – Viet Nam’s final summit as chair. The
Chairman’s statement congratulated both the Philippines for presiding over the 2010 NPT Review Conference and Viet Nam
for chairing ASEAN throughout the past year and helping to raise ASEAN’s profile in multilateral fora.
 At the 13th ASEAN-ROK Summit, held during the 17th ASEAN Summit, the Chairman’s statement reaffirmed support for a
complete and verifiable denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. It also encouraged both parties to implement the Joint
Statement of 19 September 2005 and to resume the Six Party Talks and the implementation of relevant United Nations
Security Council resolutions

2009

 On 27 February through 1 March and again 10 through 11 April, the 14 th ASEAN Summit took place in Thailand in
two parts. At the Summit, the Chairman’s Statement discussed the nature of the new ASEAN Charter, as this was
the first gathering under the Charter.
 The 29th ASEAN Chiefs of Police Conference was held in Hanoi, Vietnam, on 13-15 May. Among other subjects, the
conference debated and adopted resolutions regarding drugs trafficking, terrorism, arms smuggling and human
trafficking. Particular attention was paid to the issue of nations providing “mutual assistance” to each other to deal
with these problems.
 On 1-2 June, the Heads of State or Government of ASEAN and the Republic of Korea (ROK) met on Jeju Island to
commemorate the 20th anniversary of ASEAN-ROK relations. At the summit, they discussed the ongoing situation
on the Korean Peninsula and condemned the “recent underground nuclear test and missile launches undertaken
by the DPRK.” Their statement called the tests “clear violations of the Six-Party agreements and the relevant UNSC
resolutions and decisions,” and called for “an early resumption of the Six-Party talks.”
 The 42nd ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting was held 19-20 July in Phuket, Thailand. The Ministers issued a joint
communiqué which noted encouraging developments on nuclear disarmament and welcomed the negotiations
between the United States and Russia. They also recalled the commitment of the People’s Republic of China to no
first use of nuclear weapons. Also, the Ministers hoped that participating countries in the Conference on
Disarmament (CD) would resume talks on disarmament, as called for in Article VI of the Non-Proliferation Treaty
(NPT).
 On 22 July, the 10th ASEAN Plus Three Foreign Ministers Meeting (ASEAN+3) was held in Phuket, Thailand. The Foreign
Ministers expressed concern over recent DPRK nuclear tests and missile launches and urged the DPRK to comply with
obligations under UNSC resolutions. They also encouraged early resumption of the Six-Party Talks and the possible use of the
ARF as a regional security forum including all participants to the Six-Party Talks.
 On 23 July, both the United States and the European Union entered the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) in Southeast
Asia.
 On 23 October, the 15th ASEAN Summit was held in Thailand. In his statement, the Chairman called for the DPRK to comply
with UNSC resolutions and for all parties to return to the Six-Party Talks. The Chairman also recognized the Philippines’
Presidency of the 2010 NPT Review Conference and encouraged ASEAN Member States to become signatories or parties to
the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) prior to the Review Conference.

2008
 On 7 January, Dr. Surin Pitsuwan from Thailand assumed the post of ASEAN Secretary-General, succeeding Mr. Ong Keng
Yong.
 The 28th ASEAN Chiefs of Police Conference took place from 25 to 29 May and adopted resolutions addressing cooperation in
preventing terrorism and arms smuggling.
 On 24 July, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea acceded to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) in Southeast
Asia. Contracting Parties agree not to participate in any activity that constitutes a threat to the political and economic
stability, sovereignty, or territorial integrity of another Contracting Party.
 All 10 Member States ratified the ASEAN Charter ahead of the December goal, and the Charter entered into force on 15
December.
 The 14th ASEAN Summit was scheduled to take place in Thailand 12-17 December, but it was postponed due to the political
crisis in Thailand.

2007
 On 10 January, France and East Timor signed the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC). In so doing, the two countries
agreed not to attack or threaten the member states of ASEAN. East Timor once again voiced its hopes to eventually join
ASEAN.
 On 11-14 January, the 12th ASEAN Summit, postponed due to Typhoon Seniang, convened amid controversy regarding
corruption and the overpricing of lamps used to light the routes to and among summit venues. On the first day of the summit,
ASEAN signed five agreements: A Declaration Towards a Caring and Sharing Community, Declaration on the Blueprint for the
ASEAN Charter, Declaration on the Acceleration of the Establishment of an ASEAN Community by 2015, ASEAN Declaration on
the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers, and the ASEAN Convention on Counter Terrorism (ACCT).
 ACCT contains provisions intended to ease prosecution and extradition of terrorism suspects. The convention also aims to
strengthen the region’s law enforcement against terrorism and its entry into force demonstrates compliance with all
relevant UN Conventions and Protocols pertaining to counter-terrorism.
 At the 2nd East Asian Summit, members signed the Cebu Declaration on East Asian Energy Security and agreement which sets
nonbinding targets for methods to achieve "reliable, adequate and affordable" energy into the future and to develop
alternative sources of energy such as biofuels. Discussions centered on deepening integration, focused primarily around two
economic initiatives: beginning a study on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership in East Asia (CEPEA) and examining
Japan’s proposal for an Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA). The EAS also attempted to improve
relations with China through the signing of an agreement on the trade of services.
 At the 10th ASEAN-Republic of Korea Summit held the same week, the chairman addressed the situation with the DPRK,
calling for full implementation of UNSC resolutions 1695 and 1718. He also stressed the importance of arriving at a peaceful
resolution of the problem through negotiations and expressed optimism about the role that ASEAN could play as an
intermediary—helping to address both humanitarian, economic and security concerns in the region.
  The 40th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting and 14th ARF were held in Manila from 22 July through 2 August. At the Ministerial
Meeting, participants reflected on the implementation of the South East Asian Nuclear Weapons Free Zone. The Ministers
called upon the NWS to ratify the protocols to the treaty and for the accession of Israel, India and Pakistan to the treaty.
 In the days prior to the meeting, Ministers discussed the creation of an agency to monitor compliance with the SEANWFZ.
The ministers also discussed their intentions to strengthen the regions relationship with the IAEA and capacity to implement
safeguards.
 The ASEAN members developed and adopted a Plan of Action for furthering implementation of the SEANWFZ. The Plan is
intended to increase regional coordination in opposition to nuclear weapons and deepen regional participation in the
relevant international agreements. Under the Plan of Action, States agree to pursue completion of IAEA safeguard
agreements and accession to the Convention on Early Notification of Nuclear Accidents and regional emergency response
plans. In addition, the states agreed to consider accession to other relevant instruments such as the CTBT and the counter-
terrorism conventions related to nuclear weapons.
 The 13th ASEAN Summit was held in Singapore 18-22 November. The focus of the meeting was on Energy, Environment,
Climate Change and Sustainable Development. The potential increase in the use of nuclear energy was discussed in this
regard. The members drafted an ASEAN Leaders' Declaration on Environmental Sustainability to be signed at the 13th
ASEAN Summit.
2006
 At the 39th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting from 24-25 July, the ministers issued a joint communiqué in which they voiced their
concern over recent developments in North Korea—including the test firing of its Taepodong-2 missiles on 5 July—that could
affect peace and security in the region. They emphasized the need for denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and called
upon concerned parties to utilize the upcoming ASEAN Regional Forum as an opportunity to resume the Six-Party Talks
towards a peaceful resolution of the nuclear issue.
 The 12th ASEAN Summit was postponed until January of 2007 due to Typhoon Seniang,

2005
 Mongolia and New Zealand acceded to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) on 29 July, and Australia followed suit on
10 December. Timor Leste also expressed an interest in acceding to the TAC. ASEAN signed Joint Declarations on
Cooperation to Combat International Terrorism with the Republic of Korea on 27 July and with Pakistan and New Zealand on
29 July. At the 38th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting, ministers encouraged Canada to consider signing the same.
 The 11th ASEAN summit convened at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 12-14 September. A landmark event was the signing of a
Declaration on the Establishment of the ASEAN Charter by its leaders. The summit saw the establishment of an Eminent
Persons Group on the ASEAN Charter—comprising 10 highly distinguished and well respected citizens from ASEAN Member
Countries—to examine and provide recommendations on the direction of ASEAN and the nature of the Charter.
 Accomplishments such as the implementation of the ASEAN Security Community, the establishment of the Inter-Sessional
Support Group on Confidence Building and Preventive Diplomacy, and the setting up of the ASEAN-China Joint Working
Group on the Implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, were duly noted. Leaders
welcomed the 4th and 5th rounds of the Six-Party Talks held in July and November in Beijing, and called on all concerned
parties to exert their utmost effort toward the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. They strongly condemned
terrorism and reiterated the need to intensify their efforts to eliminate the root causes of terrorism at the bilateral, regional,
and multilateral levels. Leaders also recognized the role of inter-faith dialogue in fighting the spread of terrorism and
promoting understanding.
 On 17 November, ASEAN and the United States issued a Joint Vision Statement on the ASEAN-US Enhanced Partnership
whereby they pledged to step up cooperation in key areas spanning political, security, social, economic, and development
spheres.
 The 1st East Asia Summit was convened on 14 December, with a view to establishing closer and substantial relations
between the member countries of ASEAN and the participating countries of India, China, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and
the Republic of Korea. Leaders signed the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the East India Summit wherein they stated that the
summit would be a “forum for dialogue on broad strategic, political, and economic issues of common interest and concern,
and with the aim of promoting peace, stability and economic prosperity in East Asia.” They strongly endorsed the Joint
Statement adopted at the 4th Round of the Six-Party Talks on 19 September. It was agreed that the East Asia summit would
be held annually.
2004
 Efforts to combat terrorism and address proliferation issues remained crucial in 2004. These issues were designated as
priority areas for cooperation between ASEAN and its Dialogue Partners, both within the dialogue frameworks and under
the ARF process. During the year, ASEAN issued joint declarations with the United States, the European Union, India, China,
Russia, and Australia on cooperation in counter-terrorism and transnational crime-fighting. In January, ASEAN issued a
Memorandum of Understanding with the Chinese government regarding “cooperation in the field of non-traditional security
issues,” agreeing to cooperative measures, such as information exchange and joint research in dealing with current
concerns, including arms smuggling and terrorism. Subsequently, an ASEAN Plus Three Ministerial Meeting on Transnational
Crime (AMMTC +3) took place on 10 January in Bangkok, with the Ministers adopting a concept plan to address
transnational crimes in the following eight areas: terrorism, illicit drug trafficking, trafficking in persons, sea piracy, arms
smuggling, money laundering, international economic crime, and cyber crime. The ministers also issued a joint communiqué
in which they reiterated their commitment to combating terrorism and other forms of organized crime, and to cooperation
in effectively developing the ASEAN Security Community. At the 4th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime in
Bangkok on 8 January, the Ministers expressed a commitment to accelerate the implementation of the 1999 ASEAN Plan of
Action to Combat Transnational Crimes. In addition, they discussed methods to promote effective legal cooperation and to
strengthen exchange of intelligence and information in combating transnational crimes. Another significant January meeting
was the 17th ASEAN-US Dialogue, held on 30 January in Bangkok. It featured discussion of such topics as the ASEAN-US Work
Plan on Counter-Terrorism, the development of an ASEAN Security Community, and the importance of a nuclear weapons-
free Korea.
 The Bali Regional Ministerial Meeting on Counter-Terrorism, co-hosted by Australia and Indonesia, met on 4-5 February.
Within a broad discussion of terrorism, the Ministers specifically noted the connection between international terrorism and
the movement of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons materials and the need for cooperation in preventing this, and
agreed on several recommendations regarding how to strengthen transnational crime prevention.
 On 3 May, at the third session of the Preparatory Committee for the 2005 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on
the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, the ASEAN Member States submitted a working paper regarding the status of the
Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon Free Zone. The paper addresses the establishment of the SEANWFZ as a means to
“contribute towards general and complete nuclear disarmament”, and the creation of the SEANWFZ Commission and its
Executive Committee to oversee compliance with the Treaty. It stresses that to be effective and operational, nuclear
weapon states must accede to the Protocol to the Treaty and urges them to do so as soon as possible. Furthermore, it notes
that ASEAN has been holding consultations with the five nuclear weapon states toward this end, but that only China has,
thus far, reached an agreement with ASEAN regarding the protocol.
 The 37th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting, the Post-Ministerial Conferences and the 11th ASEAN Regional Forum were all held
between 29 June and 2 July in Jakarta, Indonesia. At the Ministerial Meeting, themed “Striving for Full Integration of ASEAN:
A Prosperous, Caring and Peaceful Community” and chaired by H.E. Dr. N. Hassan Wirajuda, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the
Republic of Indonesia, the Ministers issued a joint communiqué in which they reaffirmed their commitment to establishing
an ASEAN Community comprising a Security Community, an Economic Community, and a Socio-Cultural Community by 2020,
recommending that the Plans of Action for these be endorsed at the 10th ASEAN Summit in Vientiane. Ministers also
reiterated the significance of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia and noted the October 2003 accession
of China and the Republic of India to the TAC, encouraging other non-Southeast Asian States to consider acceding to the
Treaty as well. In addition, they addressed the state of the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone, again
urging the accession of the Nuclear Weapon States to its terms, and noting that China is ready to sign the Treaty’s protocol.
 The Ministers also addressed the issue of transnational crime and commended the Memorandum of
Understanding between ASEAN and China regarding non-traditional security issues, emphasizing the need for cooperation in
fighting terrorism, particularly within the context of the ASEAN-US Counterterrorism Work Plan and other related
agreements.
 Specific regional concerns addressed by the Ministers included the situations in Iraq, the Middle East and on the Korean
Peninsula. Regarding Iraq, the Ministers welcomed Iraqi sovereignty and UN Security Council Resolution 1546. In reference
to Korea, they noted the impact of the nuclear issue, recognizing the importance of the Six Party Talks held in Beijing on 23-
25 June and urging the continuation of efforts towards “a lasting solution to achieve peace and stability on the Korean
Peninsula.”
 In his concluding statement at the Ministerial Meeting on 30 July, the Secretary-General noted “substantial progress in the
implementation of decisions and directives of the 9th ASEAN Summit,” stating that the Ministers had reviewed efforts made
 n accordance with a six-year plan towards the attainment of ASEAN Vision 2020, and in preparation of the Vientiane Action
Programme, its proposed successor, among other topics.
 At the 5th ASEAN Plus Three Foreign Ministers Meeting (ASEAN+3), which convened on 1 July, Chairman H.E Dr. N. Hassan
Wirajuda issued a statement noting that the meeting focused on various regional issues, with special emphasis placed on
developments in Korea. Once gain, in addition to addressing administrative and economic issues, the Ministers also
welcomed the accession of Japan to the TAC and China’s readiness to sign to Protocol of the Treaty of the Southeast Asia
Nuclear Weapon Free Zone. The ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference Ten Plus One (PMC 10 +1) sessions on 1 July focused on
“the overview and future direction of ASEAN cooperation with its Dialogue Partners”.
 Another development during the series of meetings was the signing of an ASEAN-Russia Joint Declaration for Cooperation
to Combat International Terrorism at the ASEAN Regional Forum on 2 July as well as an ASEAN-Australia Joint Declaration
for Cooperation to Combat International Terrorism at the 10 + 1 meeting on 1 July.
 Also, both Japan and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan formally signed the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast
Asia in Jakarta on 2 July. Japan had announced its intent to do so in December of 2003. Pakistan’s accession made it the
24th member of the ASEAN Regional Forum.
 The 10th ASEAN Summit was held in Vientiane, Laos from 29-30 November. Leaders reaffirmed the high priority of political
and security cooperation on the ASEAN agenda. They endorsed the Plan of Action of the ASEAN Security Community, a
community established to enhance ASEAN's capacity through regional instruments and mechanisms in establishing regional
norms and enhancing conflict prevention, resolution, and peace-building in the region. The establishment of a forum for
ASEAN defense ministers was also endorsed. Leaders agreed on the urgent need to sustain cooperative activities in
counter-terrorism. The establishment of a network of law enforcement agencies among ASEAN member countries was
proposed.
 Leaders endorsed the Vientiane Action Programme to implement the ASEAN Vision 2020 for the next six years and agreed
to mobilize resources for this purpose. They also reaffirmed the role of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) in
maintaining peace and security in the region. Russia acceded to the TAC on 29 November, thereby becoming the second
nuclear weapon state and UN Security Council member to sign the TAC after China. The Republic of Korea also acceded to
the TAC on 27 November.
 The ASEAN-Japan Joint Declaration for Co-operation in Counter-Terrorism was adopted at the 8th ASEAN-Japan summit on
30 November. At the ASEAN-Japan Senior Officials Meeting, Japan stated that it would like to advance cooperation with
ASEAN in the specific areas of counter-terrorism and nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and the reduction of
tension in the Korean Peninsula.

2003

 On 6 January, Ong Keng Yong, former Press Secretary to Singapore’s Prime Minister, assumed the position of Secretary-
General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations at a ceremony in Jakarta. Filipino Diplomat Rodolfo C. Severino, Jr.,
previously occupied the post. The transition took place at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta, Indonesia.
 On 19 March, the ASEAN Foreign Ministers issued a statement on the situation in the Korean Peninsula at their informal
meeting in Karambunei, Malaysia. The Foreign Ministers expressed their continued concern over the evolving situation in
the Peninsula that could lead to a serious threat to peace, security, and stability in the whole Asia-Pacific region. They
reiterated that the ARF remains an important forum for facilitating dialogue with the concerned parties about a lasting and
durable solution, and urged its Chairman to continue his concerted efforts in this regard.
 The Post-Ministerial Conference of the 36th ASEAN Ministerial meeting was held from 16-19 June in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
under the chairmanship of H.E. Mr. Hor Namhong, the Cambodian Senior Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and
International Cooperation. The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of all 10 ASEAN nations, the ASEAN Secretary-General, as well as
Dialogue Partners from Australia, Canada, China, the European Union, India, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Russia, the
United States, and the United Nations Development Program attended the meeting. The representatives at the meeting
exchanged views on the issues of conflict in the Middle East, terrorism, trafficking in persons, drugs, economic
development, HIV/AIDS, and SARS. The ASEAN ministers also agreed upon cooperative arrangements with China, the
United States, the European Union, and Russia in counter-terrorism and other non-traditional security issues. In addition,
the Ministers also agreed to cooperate in the global effort to fight terrorism through international conventions as well as
through law enforcement, defense, intelligence, immigration and customs, and financial systems. The Ministers
condemned the violence in the Middle East and said that “both Israel and the Palestinian Authority shared the
 responsibility in maintaining peace, stability and law and order in the region.” The meeting recognized further cooperation
to prevent HIV/AIDS and welcomed the successes in the fight against SARS, while also recognizing that the battle against
SARS is not “yet over.”
 In the Chairman’s statement at the ARF, views were expressed urging the DPRK to “resume cooperation with the IAEA” and
to reverse its decision to “withdraw from the NPT.” The Ministers also emphasized that outstanding security and
humanitarian issues should be addressed through increased dialogue. The United States Secretary of State Colin L. Powell
addressed the Ministers during the meeting, welcoming the Chairman’s statement on North Korea and stressing the need
for ASEAN’s assistance in achieving a diplomatic solution in North Korea through continued pressure from ASEAN.
 On 7-8 October 2003, the Ninth ASEAN Summit was held in Bali, Indonesia. Subsequently, the ASEAN leaders had the
Seventh “ASEAN+3” Summit with leaders from China, Japan, and Republic of Korea. During the Summit, ASEAN leaders
discussed in particular the latest situation on the Korean Peninsula, the recent developments on terrorism and the issue of
Iraq and the Middle East.
 Also during the Summit, on 7 October, the Ministers issued the Declaration of ASEAN Concord II (Bali Concord II), in which
they pledged to achieve, by 2020, an “ASEAN Community” comprised of an “ASEAN Security Community”, along with an
“ASEAN Economic Community” and an “ASEAN Socio-cultural Community.” It was envisaged that the ASEAN Security
Community would increase ASEAN’s political and security cooperation, and would rely exclusively on peaceful means for
the settlement of intraregional differences. The Community should also strengthen national and regional capacities to
counter terrorism and other trans-national crimes, and ensure that the Southeast Asian region remains free of all weapons
of mass destruction. To establish modalities for the Community, the ASEAN leaders agreed that Indonesia would develop a
Plan of Action for the ASEAN Security Community.
 On the second day of the Summit, the ASEAN leaders held a meeting with each of the leaders of China, Japan, Republic of
Korea and India. In the meeting with Premier Wen Jiabao of China, they signed a Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership
for Peace and Prosperity. In the Declaration, the ASEAN countries and China agreed to continue consultations on China’s
intention to accede to the Protocol to the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapons-Free Zone. The ASEAN leaders
commended China for taking the initiative that led to the convening of the Six-Party talks to mitigate the crisis on the
Korean Peninsula. They encouraged China to maintain its constructive role in the search for a political solution to the
problem. The ASEAN countries and China also agreed to (1) expedite the implementation of the Joint Statement on
Cooperation in the Field of Non-Traditional Security Issues, (2) hold an ASEAN-China security-related dialogue to enhance
mutual understanding and promote peace and stability in the region, and (3) follow-up the Declaration on the Conduct of
Parties in the South China Sea. In addition, India and member countries of ASEAN signed a Joint Declaration for
Cooperation to Combat International Terrorism on 8 October
 Also on 8 October, both the People’s Republic of China and India formally acceded to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation
in Southeast Asia, with the ASEAN member countries issuing a declaration of consent to this accession.
 In a meeting with President Roh Moo Hyun of the Republic of Korea, the ASEAN leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a
peaceful solution of the North Korean nuclear issue through dialogue, and welcomed the convening of the Six-Party Talks as
a positive step towards this end. They expressed their hope that the next talk would be held soon to maintain the
momentum for dialogue, and that the ARF could be utilized as a forum to discuss this particular issue.
 The ASEAN leaders and Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee of India held talks on the issue of terrorism and agreed to
enhance cooperation in fighting terrorism. Both sides adopted the Joint Declaration for Cooperation to Combat
International Terrorism.
 On 12 December, during the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit in Tokyo, Japan signed a declaration of its intent to
accede to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, and ASEAN issued a declaration of consent to the
accession., of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia by Japan. ASEAN States and Japan also issued an ASEAN-Japan Plan
of Action emphasizing economic, cultural, and security-related cooperation.
2002

 The 35th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting took place in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, on 29-30 July. The Ministers
acknowledged that following the 2001 ASEAN Declaration on Joint Action to Counter Terrorism, ASEAN at all levels had
undertaken practical measures and expressed its determination to further enhance ASEAN’s role and contribution in the
fight against terrorism.
 The Ministers welcomed on-going consultations between ASEAN and the nuclear weapon states (NWS) on the Protocol to
the SEANWFZ Treaty and urged the NWS to sign the Protocol to the Treaty as soon as possible.
 In view of the US withdrawal from the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty, the Ministers welcomed the signing of the
Treaty on Strategic Offensive Reductions between the Russian Federation and the United States on 24 May 2002. They
noted the importance of this Treaty as a contribution to strategic balance, world peace, and long-term international
security. They further called for the NWS to continue dialogue to look for new ideas and approaches to address the issue of
nuclear disarmament.
2001

 The 34th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting took place in Hanoi, Vietnam, on 23-24 July. The Ministers welcomed the progress in
the implementation of the SEANWFZ Treaty, stressed the importance of direct consultation between ASEAN, and the NWS
and considered this significant progress towards encouraging the accession of the NWS to the Protocol to the SEANWFZ
Treaty. In this connection, they welcomed the first direct consultation between ASEAN and the NWS in Hanoi on 19 May
2001, reaffirmed their support for this process, and called for continued consultations with the NWS. The Ministers also
noted with satisfaction the progress in the implementation of the overlapping confidence building measures (CBMs) and
preventive diplomacy (PD).
 The Ministers stressed the importance of achieving universal adherence to the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty
(CTBT) and the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), called on the NWS to make further efforts towards the elimination of all
nuclear weapons, noted the progress on negotiating a verification Protocol to the Biological and Toxic Weapons
Convention (BTWC), noted the outcome of the UN Conference on Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects held in
New York on 9-20 July 2001, and expressed their hope that the Program of Action adopted by this conference would be
implemented effectively. They also noted the recent dialogues among the major powers and concerned States on national
missile defenses (NMD).
 On 5-6 November, at the 7th ASEAN Summit at Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, ASEAN Heads of State adopted a Declaration
on Joint Action to Counter Terrorism, in which they unequivocally condemned “in the strongest terms” the 11 September
2001 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington and considered such acts as an attack against humanity and an assault
on “all of us.” ASEAN Heads of State stated that they viewed acts of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,
committed wherever, whenever and by whomsoever, as a profound threat to international peace and security. They
rejected any attempt to link terrorism with any religion or race and committed to counter, prevent, and suppress all forms
of terrorist acts in accordance with the UN Charter and other international law, especially taking into account the
importance of all relevant UN resolutions. They shall consider joint practical counter-terrorism measures in line with
specific circumstances in the region and in each member country. The Heads of State agreed on the practical steps to
counter international terrorism, including review and strengthening of national mechanisms to combat international
terrorism; early signing and/or ratification of or accession to all relevant anti-terrorism conventions including the
International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism; deeper cooperation among front-line law
enforcement agencies in combating terrorism and sharing “best practices”; enhanced information intelligence exchange to
facilitate the flow of information, in particular, on terrorists and terrorist organizations, their movement and funding, and
any other information needed to protect lives, property, and the security of all modes of travel; strengthened cooperation
at bilateral, regional, and international levels in combating terrorism in a comprehensive manner affirming that at the
international level the UN should play a major role in this regard, etc.
2000
 The Foreign Ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations convened at the 33rd ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in
Bangkok on 24-25 July under the chairmanship of Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, Foreign Minister of Thailand. The Ministers
welcomed the progress made in implementing the SEANWFZ Treaty and noted with satisfaction the establishment of all
the various organs under the Treaty and the work undertaken by these organs, including consultations with
the International Atomic Energy Agency. They welcomed China’s announcement made in July 1999 of its readiness to
accede to the Protocol to the Treaty, and called on the other NWS to exercise greater flexibility in consultations on the
Protocol. The Ministers reiterated importance of CBMs and PD in the intra-regional relations and stressed the importance
of continued participation of defense and military officials in the ARF process.
 The Ministers reiterated the importance of achieving universal adherence to the CTBT and the NPT and welcomed the
convening of the NPT Review Conference 2000 in New York on 24 April-19 May and hoped that it would create
momentum towards the implementation of concrete measures on nuclear disarmament by the NWS. In this regard, the
Ministers affirmed the unanimous conclusion of the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice of 8 July 1996
that “there exists an obligation to pursue in good faith and bring to a conclusion negotiations leading to nuclear
disarmament in all its aspects under strict and effective international control.” The Ministers stressed the importance for
all States that had not ratified the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) to consider doing so at the earliest opportunity
and noted the progress in negotiating the BTWC verification Protocol by the Ad Hoc-Group of the State Parties to the
BTWC.

1999
 At their 6th Meeting in Singapore from 23 to 24 July, the ASEAN Foreign Ministers convened the Commission of the
SEANWFZ Treaty for the first time. The Commission ordered the preparation of the draft rules of procedure and initiation
of all necessary actions in compliance with the Treaty, including consultations with the NWS, the IAEA, and other related
bodies. The Ministers noted the consultations which had taken place between the ASEAN Working Group on ZOPFAN and
the SEANWFZ and the NWS and urged the NWS to accede to the Protocol to the SEANWFZ Treaty as another means of
enhancing the regional security environment.
 The Ministers noted the entry into force of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and
Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction and agreed to support initiatives to enhance international
cooperation on de-mining, including training, and in the removal of unexploded ordinance as well as the rehabilitation of
mine victims.
1998
 The 6th ASEAN Summit was held in Hanoi, Vietnam from 15 to 16 December. Participants issued the Hanoi Declaration in
which States pledged to intensify their efforts to address arms smuggling, and to intensify consultations with NWS with a
view to their accession to the Protocol to the SEANWFZ Treaty. The Hanoi Plan of Action, also adopted at the Summit,
also called for the convening of the Commission for the SEANWFZ to oversee implementation and ensure compliance
with the Treaty. The ASEAN countries reaffirmed their support for and active participation in all efforts to achieve the
objective of general and complete disarmament, especially the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons and of other
weapons of mass destruction (WMD).
 At the 5th Ministerial Meeting in Manila from 24 to 25 July, the Foreign Ministers of ASEAN issued a Joint Communiqué in
which they reiterated that signature of the SEANWFZ Protocol by the NWS would equal a pledge of support for nuclear
disarmament and nuclear-weapon-free zones. The Communiqué also addressed the nuclear tests by India and Pakistan,
by stating their view that the recent tests in South Asia were not conducive to the full realization of the Treaty.
1997
 The “ASEAN Vision 2020” adopted in Kuala Lumpur on 15 December, by the Heads of State/Government of ASEAN,
envisioned a “Concert of Southeast Asian Nations” to be in 2020 a Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality, as envisaged
in the Kuala Lumpur Declaration of 1971. It envisioned a Southeast Asia free from nuclear weapons, with all the NWS
committed to the purposes of the SANWFZ Treaty through their adherence to its Protocol. It also envisioned the region
to be free from all other WMD, and the ASEAN Regional Forum as an established means for confidence-building and
preventive diplomacy and for promoting conflict-resolution.
1996

 The 29th Annual ASEAN Ministerial Meeting, involving Foreign Ministers, issued a communiqué in Jakarta on 21 July. It
called for the expeditious ratification of the SEANWFZ Treaty, and for an end to nuclear testing and the conclusion of a
CTBT.

1995
 At the 5th ASEAN Summit in Bangkok, on 15 December, ASEAN leaders signed the SEANWFZ Treaty. The parties to the
SEANWFZ comprise the current 10 ASEAN members. The notion of a SEANWFZ dates back to 27 November 1971, when
the original five members of the ASEAN meeting in Kuala Lumpur signed a Declaration on a [ASEAN] Zone of Peace,
Freedom, and Neutrality (ZOPFAN). None of the NWS had yet signed the Protocols, largely due to US and French
objections regarding the unequivocal nature of security assurances and over the definitions of territory (including
exclusive economic zones).