• The ASEAN Community started when 5 Southeast Asian leaders decided to
form a union to foster the bond within their respective nations. This union of Southeast Asian nations was created through the ASEAN Bangkok Declaration. The countries included in this union are Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Over the past years more countries have joined the ASEAN union including Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia. Overview • 8 August 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand, with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration) • Founding Fathers of ASEAN: 5 Foreign Ministers - Adam Malik (Indonesia), Narciso R. Ramos ( Philippines), Tun Abdul Razak (Malaysia), S. Rajaratnam (Singapore) and Thanat Khoman (Thailand) GOALS: • To accelerate the economic growth, social progress and economic development in the region through joint endeavors. • To promote peace and stability through abiding respect for justice and the rule of law.