Introduction to the ASEAN

Community
 ASEAN
(Association of Southeast Asian Nations)
10 Member States • Myanmar
• Brunei Darussalam (23 July 1997)

(7 January 1984) • Philippines

(8 August 1967)
• Cambodia
(30 April 1999) • Singapore
(8 August 1967)
• Indonesia
(8 August 1967) • Thailand
(8 August 1967)
• Lao PDR
(23 July 1997)
• Viet Nam
(28 July 1995)
• Malaysia
(8 August 1967)

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 ASEAN Aims and Purposes
(Bangkok Declaration 1967)
• To accelerate the economic growth, social progress
and cultural development in the region through joint
endeavours.
• To promote regional peace and stability through
abiding respect for justice and the rule of law.

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The ASEAN Journey to Community Building

2015
2007
Dec 31st
Cebu
2003 Declaration Realisation of
the ASEAN
Bali Concord II Community
1997
ASEAN Vision 2020

1967
Bangkok
Declaration
ASEAN Community Building

ASEAN:
A people-oriented community

ASEAN ASEAN ASEAN

Political-Security Economic Socio-Cultural
Community Community Community
(APSC) (AEC) (ASCC)

Narrowing the Development Gap (NDG) 5

 Pillar 1
APSC Vision 2025
“Our ASEAN Political-Security Community by 2025 shall be
a united, inclusive and resilient community. Our peoples shall
live in a safe, harmonious and secure environment, embrace the
values of tolerance and moderation as well as uphold ASEAN
fundamental principles, shared values and norms. ASEAN shall
remain cohesive, responsive and relevant in addressing
challenges to regional peace and security as well as play a
central role in shaping the evolving regional architecture, while
deepening our engagement with external parties and
contributing collectively to global peace, security and stability..”

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 Pillar 1
APSC Blueprint 2025

Rules-based, people- A resilient Community in

oriented, people-centred a peaceful, secure and
Community stable region

ASEAN Centrality in a Strengthened ASEAN

dynamic and outward- institutional capacity and
looking region presence

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Examples of Work in APSC

Implementation of APSC Blueprint 2025

Timor-Leste’s Application for ASEAN Membership

South China Sea

SEANWFZ Protocol

Women & children: ACTIP & RPA

Transnational crime & violent extremism: AMMTC

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 Pillar 1 : Thailand’s role
• ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human
Rights (AICHR)
• ASEAN Human Rights Declaration
• Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon Free Zone
(SEANWFZ)
• Preventive Diplomacy
• ASEANTOM
• ASEAN-NARCO (in Bangkok)
• ASEAN Center of Military Medicine (in Bangkok)
• Non-Traditional Security Threats
 Pillar 2
AEC Vision 2025
“ASEAN Economic Community by 2025 shall
be a highly integrated and cohesive economy, a
competitive, innovative and dynamic ASEAN, a
resilient, inclusive and people-oriented, people-
centred ASEAN, enhanced connectivity and
sectoral cooperation, and a global ASEAN.”

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 Pillar 2
AEC Blueprint 2025

Enhanced
Highly integrated Competitive,
connectivity and
and cohesive innovative and
sectoral
economy dynamic ASEAN
cooperation

Resilient, inclusive,
people-oriented
Global ASEAN
and people-
centred ASEAN

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 Milestones

Tariffs near zero

ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA)

ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services (AFAS)

ASEAN Comprehensive Investment Agreement (ACIA)

Movement of professionals

Trade facilitation

ASEAN Stock Exchanges

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 Milestones

Competition policy Consumer International IP

and law protection laws protocols

ASEAN Highway ASEAN Single

ASEAN Power Grid
Network Shipping Market

Trans-ASEAN Gas Principles for PPP ASEAN Open Skies

Pipeline Frameworks Policy

Telecommunication
infrastructure
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 Milestones

ASEAN Business Incubator Network

ASEAN SME Guidebook

Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI)

ASEAN Framework for Equitable Economic Development

ASEAN Equitable Development Monitor Report

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 Milestones

Entry Size of Size of Total

Into Force Market Economy ($) Trade ($)

ASEAN 1992 0.622 B 2.57 T 608 B

ACFTA (China) 2005 1.990 B 12.93 T 366.5 B

AKFTA (Korea) 2007 0.673 B 3.98 T 131.5 B

AJCEP (Japan) 2008 0.749 B 7.17 T 229.1 B

AANZFTA (Aus-Nzl) 2010 0.651 B 4.22 T 81.1 B

AIFTA (India) 2010 1.898 B 4.63 T 67.7 B

AHKFTA (Hong Kong) Jul 2014* 0.630 B 2.89 T 99.4 B

RCEP May 2013* 3.472 B 22.63 T 1,484 B

*
Commencement of Negotiations
If ASEAN were a single country, it would already be the seventh-
largest economy in the world, with a combined GDP of $2.4
trillion in 2013.
It is projected to rank as the fourth-largest economy by 2050.
McKinsey & Co. – May 2014
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 Pillar 2 : Thailand’s role
• ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA)
• ASEAN Connectivity
• Energy Security
• Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralism (CMIM)
• ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve
(APTERR)
 Pillar 3
ASCC Vision 2025
• “Our ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community by
2025 shall be one that engages and benefits the
peoples, and is inclusive, sustainable, resilient,
and dynamic.”

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 Pillar 3
ASCC Blueprint 2025

Building
Human Environmenta
ASEAN
Development l Sustainability
Identity

Narrowing the
Social Welfare Social Justice
Development
& Protection & Rights
Gap
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 Milestones
1. Heightened commitments
– Declaration on Non-communicable Diseases
in ASEAN
– Declaration on Elimination of Violence
Against Women and Elimination of
Violence Against Children in ASEAN
– ASEAN Joint Statement on Climate Change
to the 21st Session of the Conference of the
Parties to the UN’s Framework Convention on
Climate Change (COP21)
– Development of ASEAN instruments for
the protection and promotion of the rights
of migrant workers
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 Milestones

2. Quick, tangible action

– Humanitarian assistance through the ASEAN
Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian
Assistance (AHA Centre)
– Regional Plan of Action on Elimination of
Violence Against Women
– Regional Plan of Action on Elimination of
Violence Against Children
– ASEAN Post-2015 Health Development
Agenda

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 Pillar 3 : Thailand’s role
• Promotion of Healthcare
• Cultivation of Leadership for Youths
• Regional Plans of Action
• Establishment of the ASEAN Commission on the
Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and
Children (ACWC)
• ASEAN University Network (AUN) and ASEAN Studies
• Cooperation on Disaster Management
• Establishment of Thailand’s “ASEAN Cultural Centre” in
Bangkok
 Benefits of engaging
with ASEAN Community
• Opportunities from the 3rd largest consumer market in
the world (measured by population).
• Opportunities from a population of 622 million, 53% of
which are below 30 years old.
• Opportunities from a highly connected region,
conducive to trade and investment.
• Opportunities from a vibrant economy (GDP growth
projected at 4.9% in 2015 and 5.3% in 2016).
• Opportunities from rich cultural diversity.
• Regional partner in the promotion of peace and
security, SDGs, and in addressing transnational
threats and challenges.
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