ASEAN last month wrapped up its 47th summit in Kuala Lumpur, where a key event was transferring leadership of the alliance to Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for 2026.
Meanwhile, the Philippine government allocated ₱5.4 billion for this year and ₱17.5 billion for next year to host some 600 ASEAN meetings and cultural events in the archipelago, so the door is now wide open for local leaders in Catanduanes to pitch the island’s culture and tourist spots to Southeast Asian neighbors.
What is ASEAN?
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations is a regional intergovernmental organization comprised of 11 Southeast Asian countries: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Timor-Leste, which joined last month. It promotes economic integration, political stability, and cultural exchange. ASEAN has 680 million people and a combined GDP of $4 trillion. ASEAN’s headquarters is in Jakarta, Indonesia. Its operating principles are non-interference, consensus-building, and peaceful resolutions of disputes. Unlike military alliances, it uses “soft power” through dialogue.
How was ASEAN founded?
ASEAN was established Aug. 8, 1967, with the signing of the so-called Bangkok Declaration by five founding members — Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. Born in the aftermath of the Vietnam War and regional conflicts like the Indonesia-Malaysia Konfrontasi, ASEAN aimed to foster unity against communism and external interference. Brunei joined in 1984, Vietnam in 1995, Laos and Myanmar in 1997, and Cambodia in 1999. Key milestones include the 1976 Treaty of Amity and Cooperation for peaceful relations and the 2007 ASEAN Charter, which gave it legal status.
What are observer states? Any new members on the horizon?
Observer states are nations that have the right to sit in meetings and engage in discussions but lack voting rights. There is only one at this time — Papua New Guinea. Dialogue partners include major powers like the U.S., China, India, Japan, and the European Union, who participate in meetings with the ASEAN Regional Forum and East Asia Summit. Timor-Leste is on track for full membership possibly next year. Papua New Guinea and Bangladesh have been mentioned as potential future members.
How is ASEAN governed?
ASEAN’s governance is decentralized and consensus driven. The highest body is the ASEAN Summit, held twice yearly, where leaders set policy. The chairmanship is rotated in alphabetical order according to the spelling of the nations’ names in English — Malaysia in 2025, for example, and the Philippines in 2026. The head country hosts events and steers the agenda for one year. The ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta is led by Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, a 59-year-old Cambodian who has a Ph.D. in political science from the University of Hawaii. He coordinates daily operations with about 300 staff. Dr. Kao has headed the secretariat since 2023.
What are the main objectives of ASEAN?
Objectives include accelerating economic growth, promoting peace, and enhancing cultural development. The ASEAN Economic Community, launched in 2015, aims for a single market with reduced tariffs. It addresses transnational issues like climate change, pandemics, and the digital economy. Politically, it seeks regional stability via non-interference, while culturally, it fostering cultural exchanges in education and tourism.
Does ASEAN have a military component?
No, ASEAN lacks a formal military alliance or collective defense pact like NATO. Its focus is diplomatic and economic concerns, with security handled through dialogue.
How effective is ASEAN?
ASEAN has maintained relative peace in a once-volatile region, with no local wars since 1967. Economically, it’s a definite success: Trade within the alliance has surged, and trade agreements with China, Japan, and the EU have bolstered its influence. However, effectiveness is mixed — critics point to slow responses to crises like Myanmar’s 2021 coup and geopolitical divisions, such as varying stances on China’s claims to the South China Sea, hinder unity.
What are some major controversies and criticisms?
Controversies include ASEAN’s non-interference principle, which has ignored human rights abuses like Myanmar’s Rohingya crisis. The bloc’s consensus model leads to inaction, as seen in stalled South China Sea Code of Conduct negotiations. Economic disparities — Singapore’s wealth versus Laos’ poverty — hinder integration. Criticisms label it “toothless” on enforcement due to underfunded institutions.
What is ASEAN’s budget and funding model?
ASEAN’s budget is modest, around $20-30 million annually, funded equally by members who pay $2-3 million each. This covers operations but not major projects, which rely on external donors like Japan and the EU. Compared to larger bodies, it’s fairly lean, emphasizing efficiency over bureaucracy.
How does ASEAN compare to similar regional organizations?
ASEAN is mid-sized among economic-focused groups without military ties. SAARC in South Asia has eight members and a $5-10 million budget. It is larger in population, 1.9 billion people, but it is stalled by India-Pakistan tensions. CARICOM in the Caribbean has 15 members and a $10-15 million budget. It has uneven integration. Mercosur in South America has five members and a $10 million budget. It mirrors ASEAN’s focus on trade but faces political volatility. The Pacific Alliance of Latin America, with four members and a $1-5 million budget, and the Andean Community, with four members, $5-10 million budget, are smaller. ASEAN stands out for its diplomatic centrality and growth dynamism.
Do residents of ASEAN states have visa-free access to the Philippines?
Not always, but in many cases, through mutual agreements, citizens of some member states have 14- to 90-day, visa-free access to other members of ASEAN. Thailand has the most liberal policies on visa-free access Airfares are relatively inexpensive.
How can Catanduanes pitch local cultural and sporting events to ASEAN?
The Abaca Festival, the Catandungan Festival, and the International Surfing Competition in Baras, among others, should be brought to the attention of the National Organizing Council for ASEAN established by President Marcos.
Bryce McIntyre, PhD, resides San Andres. He holds a doctoral degree from Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA.