| |
| |
 |
| |
|
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN was established on 8 August 1967 in Bangkok. There were then just five Member Countries - Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.
The ASEAN Declaration was a short, simply-worded document containing just five articles. Also known as the Bangkok Declaration, the agreement and assocation was born while Thailand was brokering reconciliation among Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia over certain disputes. The four countries came to realise that there was a need for regional cooperation if the future of the region was to be secure.
With tough negotiating, spiced with friendship the grouping was born to steer Asian nations together for their own goals, that would include and not exclude, create and not destroy.
Some two decades later, a week after gaining independence, Brunei Darussalam joined the ranks of ASEAN, on 8 January 1984. Another 10 years was to pass before ASEAN included in its fold, the nations of Vietnam, Lao PDR, Myanmar and finally, Cambodia.
The ASEAN emblem which represents a stable, peaceful, united and dynamic entity has evolved over the years to reflect the growth in membership.
The colours of the emblem -- blue, red, white and yellow -- represent the main colours of the crests of all the ASEAN countries. The enblem's blue stands for peace and stability, red depicts courage and dynamism, white shows purity and yellow symbolises prosperity.
The ten stalks of padi represent the dream of ASEAN's Founding Fathers for an ASEAN comprising all the ten countries in Southeast Asia bound together in friendship and solidarity. The circle represents the unity of ASEAN.
The ASEAN Declaration states that the aims and purposes of the Association are
to accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region and to promote regional peace and stability.
The ASEAN Vision 2020, adopted by the ASEAN Leaders on the 30th Anniversary of ASEAN, agreed on a shared vision of ASEAN as a concert of Southeast Asian nations, outward looking, living in peace, stability and prosperity, bonded together in partnership in dynamic development and in a community of caring societies.
In 2003, the ASEAN Leaders resolved that an ASEAN Community shall be established comprising three pillars, namely, ASEAN Security Community, ASEAN Economic Community and ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community.
In 2007, the 40th anniversary of ASEAN will see the group adopting the ASEAN Charter which will serve as a legal and institutional framework to brave future challenges.
Back
|
