ASEAN has been in the news recently due to various significant events. The organization's first-ever joint military drills aimed to enhance cooperation among member countries in responding to humanitarian disasters. However, the ASEAN Summit in Jakarta was overshadowed by concerns over geopolitical rivalries and internal divisions, highlighting challenges faced by the regional bloc. The summit concluded with Laos taking over the chairmanship amid criticism for failing to reach a consensus on key issues like the South China Sea and Myanmar's situation.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a regional intergovernmental organization comprising ten countries in Southeast Asia. Established on August 8, 1967, ASEAN aims to promote economic growth, social progress, and cultural development in the region. The member states are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. ASEAN facilitates cooperation on political, security, and socio-cultural matters, promoting peace and stability in Southeast Asia.