Articles Category: ASEAN Identity and Community Building

Over the past few decades, ASEAN has rapidly grown into one of the world’s fastest-expanding economic regions. Nations like Indonesia, Viet Nam, Thailand, and the Philippines have consistently posted strong GDP growth rates. The ASEAN economy is projec

The first ASEAN-India Women Scientists Conclave, held from 24–26 April 2024 in Singapore, was a meaningful step in advancing regional collaboration and gender equity in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). It was organised under th

In 2025, the Parliament of Malaysia is honoured to assume the Chairmanship of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), a crucial role in fostering regional parliamentary cooperation. As ASEAN stands at the crossroads of unprecedented global chall

The ASEAN Community Vision (ACV) 2045 supports the Strategic Plans of the ASEAN Political-Security Community, ASEAN Economic Community, ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Pillars and Connectivity. It includes enhanced institutional capacity and effectivene

On 26 May 2025, the Leaders of ASEAN Member States signed the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future. Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, took part in the Signing Ceremony of the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on ASEAN 2045: Our

As the ASEAN region rapidly progresses, it also faces an unprecedented demographic shift: a rapidly ageing population. Recognising this trend, the ASEAN Centre for Active Ageing and Innovation (ACAI) was established. ACAI’s aim is to help ASEAN Member

Minister Suanesavanh Vignaket discusses the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Achievements under the Lao PDR’s Chairmanship theme, “ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience.” She delves into the key achievements and initiatives implemented duri

On 11 October 2024, Ekkaphab Phanthavong officially completes his tenure as the Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community. Before assuming his role at the ASEAN Secretariat, he was the Ambassador/Permanent Representative

50 Years of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation

India assumed the presidency of the G20 in December 2022 and is set to host the G20 Summit in 2023 after year-long deliberations on macroeconomic issues and inter-alia trade, sustainable development, health, agriculture, energy, environment, and climat

Dr. Kao Kim Hourn began his five year-term as Secretary-General of ASEAN on 1 January 2023. He served two terms as Secretary of State of Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (2003-2013) and two terms as Minister Delegate

ASEAN Secretary-General Dato Lim Jock Hoi talks to The ASEAN on the qualities and benefits of smart cities, as well as the ongoing initiatives to support the region’s 26 major cities in developing, updating, and implementing their smart city action pla

As the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community maps its vision to respond to trends and challenges in the next twenty years, The ASEAN continues the conversation on people’s concerns and hopes for the future. The team aimed to involve various perspectives in th

The ASEAN Youth Forum (AYF) was first held in 2009 in sync with the ASEAN Summit in Bangkok, Thailand. AYF is a youth movement that aims to provide a safe space for young ASEAN people to gather, connect, and build solidarity.

Living and studying at Nalanda University made Yuni Saputri reminisce about her high school life. She was a student at an Islamic boarding school or pesantren in her hometown in Banda Aceh, Indonesia. Like in Nalanda University, students and teachers i

The Phoenix is an apt metaphor to depict the revived Nalanda University. Like this mythical bird, the historic campus was resurrected after being burned down to ashes. According to the university’s website, historical findings revealed that ancient Nal