Association of Southeast Asian Nations
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The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is an international organization. On 8th August 1967, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, and the Philippines formed the ASEAN. At that time, communism was growing in Vietnam, and these five countries were also facing problems inside their countries. In this background, these five countries created ASEAN as a show of common display of cooperation. In short, the purpose of the organization is political and economic cooperation.
There was an earlier organization. Its name was the Association of Southeast Asia (ASA). It was an international organization of Philippines, Malaysia, and Thailand. These three countries had formed ASA in 1961.
In 1976, ASEAN countries held a conference in Bali. After this, these countries started closer economic cooperation. But, by mid-1980s, the activities of the ASEAN had slowed down. By 1991, Thailand proposed a free trade area. The ASEAN countries meet annually to discuss many matters.
Originally there were only five members of the ASEAN. Brunei joined the ASEAN on 8th January 1984. Vietnam joined the ASEAN on 28th July 1995. Laos and Myanmar joined the ASEAN on 23rd July 1997. Cambodia became a member on 30th April 1999. Some other countries may soon join ASEAN.
Some information about ASEAN countries is as follows:
- About 8 % of the population of the world lives in ASEAN countries. About 240 million Muslims live in these countries, mostly in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. About 170 million Buddhists live in these countries, mostly in Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Singapore.
- The major products of the ASEAN countries are electronics, petroleum, and wood. The total Gross domestic product of these countries are 77 USD.
- All the countries of the ASEAN countries have old cultures, and different types of governments.
The ASEAN countries had created an ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF). 25 countries are members of the ASEAN Regional Forum. The leaders of these countries meet and discuss various matters, especially security and economic cooperation. The members of the ASEAN Regional Forum are the members of the ASEAN, and these countries: Australia, Canada, People's Republic of China, European Union, India, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Mongolia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Russia, East Timor, and the United States.
The ASEAN also hold meetings every year. The meeting lasts for 3 days, and discuss many matters.
[edit] External links
- ASEAN Secretariat official website
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