History of ASEAN

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was established in 1967 during a period of Cold War tensions in Southeast Asia. Formed by five non-communist countries, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand, its primary goals were to promote regional solidarity, political stability, and economic development in a volatile geopolitical environment. Over the following decades, ASEAN expanded to include ten member states and transformed from a loose alliance into a more institutionalized regional organization. It became a key actor in conflict mediation, economic integration, and multilateral diplomacy, fostering dialogue among major powers. By 2008, ASEAN had solidified its position as a central platform for regional cooperation, structured around political-security, economic, and socio-cultural pillars, and was formally recognized through the adoption of a Charter that granted the organization legal personality.