Establishment - Bangkok Declaration 8 August 1967 - Charter 16 December 2008 Area 4,479,210.5 km2 - Total 2,778,124.7 sq mi Population - 2010 estimate 601 million 135/km2 - Density 216/sq mi GDP (PPP) 2010 estimate - Total US$ 3,084 billion[3] - Per capita US$ 5,131
Time zone
rarely /zi.n/ AH-zee-ahn),[6][7] is a geo-political and economic organization of ten countries located in Southeast Asia, which was formed on 8 August 1967 by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.[8] Since then, membership has expanded to include Brunei, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. Its aims include the acceleration of economic growth, social progress, cultural development among its members, the protection of regional peace and stability, and to provide opportunities for member countries to discuss differences peacefully.[9]
[5]
ASEAN covers a land area of 4.46 million km, 3% of the total land area of Earth, with a population of approximately 600 million people, 8.8% of the world population. The sea area of ASEAN is about three times larger than its land counterpart. In 2010, its combined nominal GDP had grown to US$1.8 trillion.[10] If ASEAN were a single entity, it would rank as the ninth largest economy in the world.
Contents
1 History o 1.1 Continued expansion o 1.2 Environment and democracy 2 The ASEAN way o 2.1 Policies 3 Meetings o 3.1 ASEAN Summit o 3.2 East Asia Summit o 3.3 Commemorative summit o 3.4 Regional Forum o 3.5 Other meetings 3.5.1 Another Three 3.5.2 Asia-Europe Meeting 3.5.3 ASEAN-Russia Summit 3.5.4 ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting 4 Economic Community o 4.1 From CEPT to AEC o 4.2 Comprehensive Investment Area o 4.3 Trade in Services o 4.4 Single Aviation Market o 4.5 Free Trade Agreements With Other Countries o 4.6 ASEAN six majors o 4.7 From CMI to AMRO o 4.8 Foreign Direct Investment o 4.9 Intra-ASEAN travel o 4.10 Intra-ASEAN trade
5 Charter 6 Cultural activities o 6.1 S.E.A. Write Award o 6.2 ASAIHL o 6.3 Heritage Parks 6.3.1 List o 6.4 Scholarship o 6.5 University Network o 6.6 Official song 7 Sports o 7.1 Southeast Asian Games o 7.2 ASEAN Para Games o 7.3 FESPIC Games/ Asian Para Games o 7.4 Football Championship o 7.5 ASEAN 2030 FIFA World Cup bid 8 ASEAN Defense Industry Collaboration 9 Criticism 10 See also 11 Notes 12 External links
History
ASEAN was preceded by an organisation called the Association of Southeast Asia, commonly called ASA, an alliance consisting of the Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand that was formed in 1961. The bloc itself, however, was established on 8 August 1967, when foreign ministers of five countries Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand met at the Thai Department of Foreign Affairs building in Bangkok and signed the ASEAN Declaration, more commonly known as the Bangkok Declaration. The five foreign ministers Adam Malik of Indonesia, Narciso Ramos of the Philippines, Abdul Razak of Malaysia, S. Rajaratnam of Singapore, and Thanat Khoman of Thailand are considered the organisation's Founding Fathers.[11] The motivations for the birth of ASEAN were so that its members governing elite could concentrate on nation building, the common fear of communism, reduced faith in or mistrust of external powers in the 1960s, and a desire for economic development; not to mention Indonesias ambition to become a regional hegemon through regional cooperation and the hope on the part of Malaysia and Singapore to constrain Indonesia and bring it into a more cooperative framework. In 1976, the Melanesian state of Papua New Guinea was accorded observer status.[12] Throughout the 1970s, the organisation embarked on a program of economic cooperation, following the Bali Summit of 1976. This floundered in the mid-1980s and was only revived around 1991 due to a Thai proposal for a regional free trade area. The bloc grew when Brunei Darussalam became the sixth member on 8 January 1984, barely a week after gaining independence on 1 January.[13]
Early 2011, East Timor plans to submit a letter of application to the ASEAN Secretariat in Indonesia to be the eleventh member of ASEAN at the summit in Jakarta. Indonesia has shown a warm welcome to East Timor.[23][24][25]
(Australia, People's Republic of China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea), which promotes energy security by finding energy alternatives to conventional fuels.[citation needed] On 27 February 2009 a Free Trade Agreement with the ASEAN regional block of 10 countries and New Zealand and its close partner Australia was signed, it is estimated that this FTA would boost aggregate GDP across the 12 countries by more than US$48 billion over the period 2000 2020.[37][38]
The flags of 10 ASEAN members. In the 1960s, the push for decolonisation promoted the sovereignty of Indonesia and Malaysia among others. Since nation building is often messy and vulnerable to foreign intervention, the governing elite wanted to be free to implement independent policies with the knowledge that neighbours would refrain from interfering in their domestic affairs. Territorially small members such as Singapore and Brunei were consciously fearful of force and coercive measures from much bigger neighbours like Indonesia and Malaysia. "Through political dialogue and confidence building, no tension has escalated into armed confrontation among ASEAN member countries since its establishment more than three decades ago".[39] The ASEAN way can be traced back to the signing of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia. "Fundamental principles adopted from this included:
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".[40]
On the surface, the process of consultations and consensus is supposed to be a democratic approach to decision making, but the ASEAN process has been managed through close interpersonal contacts among the top leaders only, who often share a reluctance to institutionalise and legalise co-operation which can undermine their regime's control over the conduct of regional co-operation. Thus, the organisation is chaired by the secretariat.[41] All of these features, namely non-interference, informality, minimal institutionalisation, consultation and consensus, non-use of force and non-confrontation have constituted what is called the ASEAN Way. This ASEAN Way has recently proven itself relatively successful in the settlements of disputes by peaceful manner realm, with Chinese and ASEAN officials agreeing to draft guidelines ordered to avert tension in the South China Sea, an important milestone ending almost a decade of deadlock.[42][43] Despite this success, some academics continue to argue that ASEAN's non-interference principle has worsened efforts to improve in the areas of Burma, human rights abuses and haze pollution in the region. Meanwhile, with the consensus-based approach, every member in fact has a veto and decisions are usually reduced to the lowest common denominator. There has been a widespread belief that ASEAN members should have a less rigid view on these two cardinal principles when they wish to be seen as a cohesive and relevant community.
[edit] Policies
Apart from consultations and consensus, ASEANs agenda-setting and decision-making processes can be usefully understood in terms of the so-called Track I and Track II. Track I refers to the practice of diplomacy among government channels. The participants stand as representatives of their respective states and reflect the official positions of their governments during negotiations and discussions. All official decisions are made in Track I. Therefore, "Track I refers to intergovernmental processes".[44] Track II differs slightly from Track I, involving civil society groups and other individuals with various links who work alongside governments.[45] This track enables governments to discuss controversial issues and test new ideas without making official statements or binding commitments, and, if necessary, backtrack on positions. Although Track II dialogues are sometimes cited as examples of the involvement of civil society in regional decision-making process by governments and other second track actors, NGOs have rarely got access to this track, meanwhile participants from the academic community are a dozen think-tanks. However, these think-tanks are, in most cases, very much linked to their respective governments, and dependent on government funding for their academic and policy-relevant activities, and many working in Track II have previous bureaucratic experience.[44] Their recommendations, especially in economic integration, are often closer to ASEANs decisions than the rest of civil societys positions. The track that acts as a forum for civil society in Southeast Asia is called Track III. Track III participants are generally civil society groups who represent a particular idea or brand.[46] Track III networks claim to represent communities and people who are largely marginalised from political power centres and unable to achieve positive change without outside assistance. This track tries to influence government policies indirectly by lobbying, generating pressure through
the media. Third-track actors also organise and/or attend meetings as well as conferences to get access to Track I officials. While Track II meetings and interactions with Track I actors have increased and intensified, rarely has the rest of civil society had the opportunity to interface with Track II. Those with Track I have been even rarer. Looking at the three tracks, it is clear that until now, ASEAN has been run by government officials who, as far as ASEAN matters are concerned, are accountable only to their governments and not the people. In a lecture on the occasion of ASEANs 38th anniversary, the incumbent Indonesian President Dr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono admitted: All the decisions about treaties and free trade areas, about declarations and plans of action, are made by Heads of Government, ministers and senior officials. And the fact that among the masses, there is little knowledge, let alone appreciation, of the large initiatives that ASEAN is taking on their behalf.[47]
[edit] Meetings
[edit] ASEAN Summit
A Billboard in Jakarta welcoming ASEAN Summit 2011 delegates. The organisation holds meetings, known as the ASEAN Summit, where heads of government of each member meet to discuss and resolve regional issues, as well as to conduct other meetings with other countries outside of the bloc with the intention of promoting external relations.
The ASEAN Leaders' Formal Summit was first held in Bali, Indonesia in 1976. Its third meeting was held in Manila in 1987 and during this meeting, it was decided that the leaders would meet every five years.[48] Consequently, the fourth meeting was held in Singapore in 1992 where the leaders again agreed to meet more frequently, deciding to hold the summit every three years.[48] In 2001, it was decided to meet annually to address urgent issues affecting the region. Member nations were assigned to be the summit host in alphabetical order except in the case of Burma which dropped its 2006 hosting rights in 2004 due to pressure from the United States and the European Union.[49] By December 2008, the ASEAN Charter came into force and with it, the ASEAN Summit will be held twice in a year. The formal summit meets for three days. The usual itinerary is as follows:
Leaders of member states would hold an internal organisation meeting. Leaders of member states would hold a conference together with foreign ministers of the ASEAN Regional Forum. A meeting, known as ASEAN Plus Three, is set for leaders of three Dialogue Partners (People's Republic of China, Japan, South Korea) A separate meeting, known as ASEAN-CER, is set for another set of leaders of two Dialogue Partners (Australia, New Zealand).[citation needed]
No 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th 13th 14th3
Date 2324 February 1976 45 August 1977 1415 December 1987 2729 January 1992 1415 December 1995 1516 December 1998 56 November 2001 45 November 2002 78 October 2003 2930 November 2004 1214 December 2005 1114 January 20071 1822 November 2007 27 February 1 March 2009 1011 April 2009
ASEAN Formal Summits Country Host Bali Indonesia Malaysia Kuala Lumpur Philippines Manila Singapore Singapore Bangkok Thailand Hanoi Viet Nam Bandar Seri Brunei Begawan Phnom Penh Cambodia Bali Indonesia Vientiane Laos Malaysia Kuala Lumpur
Philippines2 Singapore Thailand Cebu Singapore
Host leader Soeharto Hussein Onn Corazon Aquino Goh Chok Tong Banharn Silpa-archa Phan Vn Khi Hassanal Bolkiah Hun Sen Megawati Soekarnoputri Bounnhang Vorachith Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Gloria MacapagalArroyo Lee Hsien Loong
15th 23 October 2009 Cha Am, Hua Hin Thailand 16th 89 April 2010 Hanoi Viet Nam Nguyn Tn Dng 17th 2831 October 2010 Hanoi Viet Nam 18th4 78 May 2011 Jakarta Indonesia Susilo Bambang 4 Yudhoyono 19th 1419 November 2011 Bali Indonesia 1 Postponed from 1014 December 2006 due to Typhoon Utor. 2 hosted the summit because Burma backed out due to enormous pressure from US and EU 3 This summit consisted of two parts. The first part was moved from 1217 December 2008 due to the 2008 Thai political crisis. The second part was aborted on 11 April due to protesters entering the summit venue. 4 Indonesia proposed a swap with Brunei as it will play host to APEC (and possibly the G20 meeting) in 2013. ASEAN Summits held once or twice a year in a same venue/host nation. Example, Indonesia is the host for 2011 ASEAN Summit; all summits, formal or informal this year 2011 must be held in Indonesia. During the fifth Summit in Bangkok, the leaders decided to meet "informally" between each formal summit:[48]
No Date 1st 30 November 1996 2nd 1416 December 1997 3rd 2728 November 1999 4th 2225 November 2000
ASEAN Informal Summits Country Host Jakarta Indonesia Malaysia Kuala Lumpur Philippines Manila Singapore Singapore
Host leader Soeharto Mahathir Mohamad Joseph Estrada Goh Chok Tong
Participants of the East Asia Summit: ASEAN ASEAN Plus Three Additional members Observer Main article: East Asia Summit
The East Asia Summit (EAS) is a pan-Asian forum held annually by the leaders of 16 countries in East Asia and the region, with ASEAN in a leadership position. The summit has discussed issues including trade, energy and security and the summit has a role in regional community building. The members of the summit are all 10 members of ASEAN plus China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand. These nations represent nearly half of the world's population. In October 2010, Russia and the United States were formally invited to participate as full members, with presidents of both countries to attend the 2011 summit.[50] The first summit was held in Kuala Lumpur on 14 December 2005 and subsequent meetings have been held after the annual ASEAN Leaders Meeting. Meeting Country First EAS Second EAS Location Kuala Lumpur Date Note
Third EAS
Fourth EAS
14 December Russia attended as a guest. Malaysia 2005 Rescheduled from 13 December 2006. 15 January Philippines Cebu City 2007 Cebu Declaration on East Asian Energy Security Singapore Declaration on Climate Change, Energy and the Environment[51] 21 Singapore Singapore November 2007 Agreed to establish Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia The date and location of the venue was rescheduled several times, and then a Summit Cha-am scheduled for 12 April 2009 at Pattaya, Thailand 25 October was cancelled when protesters stormed the venue. Thailand and Hua 2009 Hin The Summit has been rescheduled for October 2009 and transferred again from Phuket[52] to Chaam and Hua Hin.[53] 30 October Officially invited the US and Russia to participate Viet Hanoi 2010[54] in future EAS as full-fledged members[50] Nam 19 Bali November The United States and Russia to join the Summit. Indonesia 2011
Meeting
Host
Location
Japan
Tokyo
ASEAN China People's Commemorative Republic Nanning Summit of China ASEAN Republic of Korea South Jeju-do Commemorative Korea Summit
Note To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of relations between 11, 12 ASEAN and Japan. The summit was December also notable as the first ASEAN 2003 summit held between ASEAN and a non-ASEAN country outside the region. 30, 31 To celebrate the 15th anniversary of October the establishment of relations between 2006 ASEAN and China 1, 2 June 2009 To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of relations between ASEAN and Republic of Korea
Date
ASEAN full members ASEAN observers ASEAN candidate members ASEAN Plus Three East Asia Summit ASEAN Regional Forum The ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) is a formal, official, multilateral dialogue in Asia Pacific region. As of July 2007, it is consisted of 27 participants. ARF objectives are to foster dialogue and consultation, and promote confidence-building and preventive diplomacy in the region.[55] The ARF met for the first time in 1994. The current participants in the ARF are as follows: all the ASEAN members, Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, the People's Republic of China, the European Union, India, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Mongolia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Russia, East Timor, United States and Sri Lanka.[56] The Republic of China (also known as Taiwan) has been excluded since the establishment of the ARF, and issues regarding the Taiwan Strait are neither discussed at the ARF meetings nor stated in the ARF Chairman's Statements.
Aside from the ones above, other regular[57] meetings are also held.[58] These include the annual ASEAN Ministerial Meeting[59] as well as other smaller committees, such as the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center.[60] Meetings mostly focus on specific topics, such as defence[57] or the environment,[57][61] and are attended by Ministers, instead of heads of government. [edit] Another Three The ASEAN Plus Three is a meeting between ASEAN, China, Japan, and South Korea, and is primarily held during each ASEAN Summit. [edit] Asia-Europe Meeting The Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) is an informal dialogue process initiated in 1996 with the intention of strengthening cooperation between the countries of Europe and Asia, especially members of the European Union and ASEAN in particular.[62] ASEAN, represented by its Secretariat, is one of the 45 ASEM partners. It also appoints a representative to sit on the governing board of Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF), a socio-cultural organisation associated with the Meeting. [edit] ASEAN-Russia Summit The ASEAN-Russia Summit is an annual meeting between leaders of member states and the President of Russia. [edit] ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting The 44th annual meeting will be held in Bali on 16 to 23 July 2011. Indonesia will propose a unified ASEAN travel visa to ease travel within the region for citizens of ASEAN member states.[63]
When the AFTA agreement was originally signed, ASEAN had six members, namely, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Vietnam joined in 1995, Laos and Burma in 1997, and Cambodia in 1999. The latecomers have not fully met the AFTA's obligations, but they are officially considered part of the AFTA as they were required to sign the agreement upon entry into ASEAN, and were given longer time frames in which to meet AFTA's tariff reduction obligations.[68] The next step is ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) with main objectives are to create a:
single market and production base highly competitive economic region region of equitable economic development region fully integrated into the global economy
Since 2007, the ASEAN countries gradually lower their import duties among them and targeted will be zero for most of the import duties at 2015.[69] Since 2011, AEC has agreed to strengthen the position and increase the competitive edges of small and medium enterprises (SME) in the ASEAN region.[70] aseanblogger.com has agreed to set up online ASEAN community with aim to raise people's awareness on the issue of AEC by 2015. The content of the portal currently consisted of subjects varying from security to culinary and in the future will also touch tourist sites and local culture.[71]
All industries are to be opened up for investment, with exclusions to be phased out according to schedules National treatment is granted immediately to ASEAN investors with few exclusions Elimination of investment impediments Streamlining of investment process and procedures Enhancing transparency Undertaking investment facilitation measures
Full realisation of the ACIA with the removal of temporary exclusion lists in manufacturing agriculture, fisheries, forestry and mining is scheduled by 2010 for most ASEAN members and by 2015 for the CLMV (Cambodia, Lao PDR, Burma, and Vietnam) countries.[72]
rounds of negotiations to liberalise trade in services with the aim of submitting increasingly higher levels of commitments. The negotiations result in commitments that are set forth in schedules of specific commitments annexed to the Framework Agreement. These schedules are often referred to as packages of services commitments. At present, ASEAN has concluded seven packages of commitments under AFAS.[74]
Indonesia: 695 billions (1,027 billions) Thailand: 312 billions (584 billions) Malaysia: 218 billions (412 billions) Singapore: 217 billions (291 billions) Philippines: 199 billions (373 billions) Vietnam: 101 billions (275 billions)
scheme known as the 2000 Chiang Mai Initiative (CMI) to anticipate another financial crisis or currency turmoil in the future. In 2006 they agreed to make CMI with multilateralisation and called as CMIM. On 3 May 2009, they agreed to make a currency pool consist of contribution $38.4 billion each by China and Japan, $19.2 billion by South Korea and totally $24 billion by all of ASEAN members, so the total currency pool was $120 billion.[82] A key component has also newly been added, with the establishment of a surveillance unit.[83] The ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic and Research Office (AMRO) will start its operation in Singapore in May 2011.[84] It will perform a key regional surveillance function as part of the $120 billion of Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralisation (CMIM) currency swap facility that was established by Finance Minister and Central Bank Governors of ASEAN countries plus China, Japan and South Korea in December 2009.[85] According to some analysts, the amount of $120 billion is relatively small (cover only about 20 percent of needs), so coordination or help from International Monetary Fund is still needed.[86]
[edit] Charter
Main article: ASEAN Charter On 15 December 2008 the members of ASEAN met in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta to launch a charter, signed in November 2007, with the aim of moving closer to "an EU-style
community".[90] The charter turns ASEAN into a legal entity and aims to create a single freetrade area for the region encompassing 500 million people. President of Indonesia Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono stated that "This is a momentous development when ASEAN is consolidating, integrating and transforming itself into a community. It is achieved while ASEAN seeks a more vigorous role in Asian and global affairs at a time when the international system is experiencing a seismic shift," he added, referring to climate change and economic upheaval. Southeast Asia is no longer the bitterly divided, war-torn region it was in the 1960s and 1970s." "The fundamental principles include: a) respect for the independence, sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity and national identity of all ASEAN Member States; b) shared commitment and collective responsibility in enhancing regional peace, security and prosperity; c) renunciation of aggression and of the threat or use of force or other actions in any manner inconsistent with international law; d) reliance on peaceful settlement of disputes; e) non-interference in the internal affairs of ASEAN Member States; f) respect for the right of every Member State to lead its national existence free from external interference, subversion and coercion; g) enhanced consultations on matters seriously affecting the common interest of ASEAN; h) adherence to the rule of law, good governance, the principles of democracy and constitutional government; i) respect for fundamental freedoms, the promotion and protection of human rights, and the promotion of social justice; j) upholding the United Nations Charter and international law, including international humanitarian law, subscribed to by ASEAN Member States; k) abstention from participation in any policy or activity, including the use of its territory, pursued by and ASEAN Member State or non-ASEAN State or any non-State actor, which threatens the sovereignty, territorial integrity or political and economic stability of ASEAN Member States; l) respect for the different cultures, languages and religions of the peoples of ASEAN, while emphasising their common values in the spirit of unity in diversity; m) the centrality of ASEAN in external political, economic, social and cultural relations while remaining actively engaged, outward-looking, inclusive and non-discriminatory; and
n) adherence to multilateral trade rules and ASEAN's rules-based regimes for effective implementation of economic commitments and progressive reduction towards elimination of all barriers to regional economic integration, in a market-driven economy".[91] However, the ongoing global financial crisis was stated as being a threat to the goals envisioned by the charter,[92] and also set forth the idea of a proposed human rights body to be discussed at a future summit in February 2009. This proposition caused controversy, as the body would not have the power to impose sanctions or punish countries who violate citizens' rights and would therefore be limited in effectiveness.[93] The body was established later in 2009 as the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR).
Logo of the S.E.A. Write Award The organisation hosts cultural activities in an attempt to further integrate the region. These include sports and educational activities as well as writing awards. Examples of these include the ASEAN University Network, the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity, the ASEAN Outstanding Scientist and Technologist Award, and the Singapore-sponsored ASEAN Scholarship.
[edit] ASAIHL
ASAIHL or the Association of Southeast Asian Institutions of Higher Learning is a nongovernmental organisation founded in 1956 that strives to strengthen higher learning institutions, espescially in teaching, research, and public service, with the intention of cultivating a sense of regional identity and interdependence.
ASEAN Heritage Parks[94] is a list of nature parks launched 1984 and relaunched in 2004. It aims to protect the region's natural treasures. There are now 35 such protected areas, including the Tubbataha Reef Marine Park and the Kinabalu National Park.[95] [edit] List
Site Alaungdaw Kathapa National Park Apo Natural Park Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park Gunung Mulu National Park Hoi An Ancient Town Indawgyi Lake Wildlife Sanctuary Kaeng Krachan National Park Khakaborazi National Park Kinabalu National Park Imperial Citadel of Thang Long Lorentz National Park Mu Ko Surin-Mu Ko Similan Marine National Park Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park Taman Negara National Park Tasek Merimbun Wildlife Sanctuary Tubbataha Reef Marine Park Virachey National Park M Sn
ASEAN Heritage Sites Country Site Ao Phang-nga Marine Burma National Park Philippines Imperial City, Hu Gunung Leuser National Indonesia Park Malaysia Ha Long Bay Iglit-Baco National Park Vietnam
Burma Thailand Burma Malaysia Vietnam Indonesia Thailand Vietnam Inl Lake Wildlife Sanctuary Kerinci Seblat National Park Khao Yai National Park Komodo National Park Lampi Kyun Wildlife Reserve Meinmhala Kyun Wildlife Sanctuary Nam Ha Protected Area
Country Thailand Vietnam Indonesia Vietnam Philippines Burma Indonesia Thailand Indonesia Burma Burma Laos Cambodia Singapore Thailand Thailand Indonesia Indonesia
Preah Monivong (Bokor) National Park Sungei Buloh Wetland Philippines Reserve Tarutao Marine National Malaysia Park Thung Yai-Huay Kha Brunei Khaeng National Park Philippines Ujung Kulon National Park Cambodia Keraton Yogyakarta Vietnam
[edit] Scholarship
The ASEAN Scholarship is a scholarship program offered by Singapore to the 9 other member states for secondary school, junior college, and university education. It covers accommodation, food, medical benefits & accident insurance, school fees, and examination fees.[96]
The ASEAN Way the official regional anthem of ASEAN, music by Kittikhun Sodprasert and Sampow Triudom Thailand; Lyrics by Payom Valaiphatchra Thailand. ASEAN Song of Unity or ASEAN Hymn, music by Ryan Cayabyab Philippines. Let us move ahead, an ASEAN song, composed by Candra Darusman Indonesia. ASEAN Rise, ASEAN's 40th Anniversary song, composed by Dick Lee Singapore; Sung by Stefanie Sun Singapore.
[edit] Sports
[edit] Southeast Asian Games
The Southeast Asian Games, commonly known as the SEA Games, is a biennial multi-sport event involving participants from the current 11 countries of Southeast Asia. The games is under regulation of the Southeast Asian Games Federation with supervision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Olympic Council of Asia.
Logo of the ASEAN Para Games The ASEAN Para Games is a biennial multi-sport event held after every Southeast Asian Games for athletes with physical disabilities. The games are participated by the 11 countries located in
Southeast Asia. The Games, patterned after the Paralympic Games, are played by physically challenged athletes with mobility disabilities, visual disabilities,
[edit] Criticism
Non-ASEAN countries have criticised ASEAN for being too soft in its approach to promoting human rights and democracy in the junta-led Burma.[104] Despite global outrage at the military crack-down on peaceful protesters in Yangon, ASEAN has refused to suspend Burma as a member and also rejects proposals for economic sanctions.[105] This has caused concern as the
European Union, a potential trade partner, has refused to conduct free trade negotiations at a regional level for these political reasons.[106] International observers view it as a "talk shop",[107] which implies that the organisation is "big on words but small on action".[108] Head of the International Institute of Strategic Studies Asia, Tim Huxley cites the diverse political systems present in the grouping, including many young states, as a barrier to far-reaching cooperation outside the economic sphere. He also asserts that in the absence of an external threat to rally against with the end of the Cold War, ASEAN has begun to be less successful at restraining its members and resolving border disputes such as those between Burma and Thailand and Indonesia and Malaysia.[109] During the 12th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, several activist groups staged anti-globalisation and anti-Arroyo rallies.[110] According to the activists, the agenda of economic integration would negatively affect industries in the Philippines and would cause thousands of Filipinos to lose their jobs.[111] They also viewed the organisation as imperialistic that threatens the country's sovereignty.[111] A human rights lawyer from New Zealand was also present to protest about the human rights situation in the region in general.[112] ASEAN has been criticized, in the past, of being a mere talking shop.[113] However, leaders such as the Philippines' Foreign Affairs Secretary, Alberto Romulo, said it would be a workshop not a talk shop.[114] Others have also expressed similar sentiment.[115]