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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.

The '''Association of Southeast Asian Nations''' ('''ASEAN''') is an [[wikt:international|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 own 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. The organization is headquartered in [[Jakarta]], Indonesia.

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. It is named because all the countries in it are a part of [[Southeast Asia]].

There had been an earlier organization called the Association of Southeast Asia (ASA). It was an international organization of [[Philippines]], [[Malaysia]], and [[Thailand]]. These three countries had formed ASA in 1961. It was named because all the countries in it are a part of [[Southeast Asia]].

In 1976, ASEAN countries held a conference in [[Bali]]. After this, these countries started closer economic cooperation. But, by the 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.

In 1976, the ASEAN countries held a conference in [[Bali]]. After this, these countries started closer economic cooperation. But, by the mid-1980s, the activities of the ASEAN had slowed down. By 1991, [[Thailand]] proposed a free trade area. The ASEAN countries meet every year to talk about many matters.

Originally there were only five members of the ASEAN. [[Brunei]] joined the ASEAN on 8 January 1984. [[Vietnam]] joined the ASEAN on 28 July 1995. [[Laos]] and [[Myanmar]] joined the ASEAN on 23 July 1997. [[Cambodia]] became a member on 30th April 1999. Some other countries, such as [[East Timor]] may soon join ASEAN.

Originally there were only five members of the ASEAN. [[Brunei Darussalam]] joined the ASEAN on 7 January 1984. [[Vietnam]] joined the ASEAN on 28 July 1995. [[Laos]] and [[Myanmar]] joined the ASEAN on 23 July 1997. [[Cambodia]] became a member on 30th April 1999. [[East Timor]] is the only Southeast Asian country that is not a member of ASEAN. However both East Timor and [[Papua New Guinea]] (which is not considered geographically a part of Southeast Asia) are observers of ASEAN and wish to become full members of ASEAN.

Some information about ASEAN countries is as follows:

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]].

* 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 $1,073.9 billion USD.

* The major products of the ASEAN countries are [[electronics]], [[petroleum]], and [[wood]]. The total [[Gross domestic product]] of these countries are $1,073.9 billion USD.

* All the countries of the ASEAN countries have old cultures, and different types of governments.

* 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). 27 countries are members of the ASEAN Regional Forum. The leaders of these countries meet and discuss various matters, especially security and economic cooperation. The current members in the ARF are: [[Malaysia]], [[Thailand]], [[Indonesia]], [[Singapore]], [[Philippines]], [[Vietnam]], [[Brunei]], [[Laos]], [[Myanmar]], [[Cambodia]], [[Australia]], [[Canada]], the [[People's Republic of China]], the [[European Union]], [[India]], [[Japan]], [[North Korea]], [[South Korea]], [[Mongolia]], [[New Zealand]], [[Pakistan]], [[Papua New Guinea]], [[Russia]], [[Timor-Leste]], [[United States]], and [[Sri Lanka]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dfat.gov.au/arf/ |title=About the ASEAN Regional Forum |publisher=Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade |date=January 2, 2007}}</ref>

The ASEAN countries had created an ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF). 27 countries are members of the ASEAN Regional Forum. The leaders of these countries meet and talk about various matters, especially security and economic cooperation. The current members in the ARF are: [[Malaysia]], [[Thailand]], [[Indonesia]], [[Singapore]], [[Philippines]], [[Vietnam]], [[Brunei]], [[Laos]], [[Myanmar]], [[Cambodia]], [[Australia]], [[Canada]], the [[People's Republic of China]], the [[European Union]], [[India]], [[Japan]], [[North Korea]], [[South Korea]], [[Mongolia]], [[New Zealand]], [[Pakistan]], [[Papua New Guinea]], [[Russia]], [[East Timor]], [[United States]], and [[Sri Lanka]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dfat.gov.au/arf/ |title=About the ASEAN Regional Forum |publisher=Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade |date=January 2, 2007}}</ref>

The ASEAN holds a meeting every year. The meeting lasts for 3 days, and the members discuss many things.

The ASEAN holds a meeting every year. The meeting lasts for 3 days, and the members discuss many things.

*[http://www.asean.org ASEAN Secretariat] official website

*[http://www.asean.org ASEAN Secretariat] official website

*[http://www.aseanfoundation.org ASEAN Foundation]

*[http://www.aseanfoundation.org ASEAN Foundation]

{{ASEAN}}

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[[Category:1967 establishments in Asia]]

[[Category:ASEAN| ]]