ASEAN

ASEAN

1. Organisations of ASEAN

   • ACCORD ASEAN-Australia Development Cooperation Programme ASEAN Centre for Energy ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management ASEAN Connect ASEAN Culture and Information Portal ASEAN Earthquake Information Centre EC-ASEAN Green Independent Power Producers Network ASEAN EU Programme for Regional Integration Support (APRIS) - Phase II ASEAN Food Safety Network ASEAN Football Federation ASEAN Forest Clearing House Mechanism ASEAN Foundation ASEAN Action HazeOnline ASEAN Interparliamentary Organisation ASEAN Law Association ASEAN Legal Information Network System ASEAN Occupational Safety and Health Network ASEAN ParaGames ASEAN Ports Association ASEAN Producers and Broadcasters ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity ASEAN-Japan Centre ASEAN Regional Forum Asia Regional Trafficking in Persons Project ASEAN Science and Technology Network ASEAN Supporting Industry Database ASEAN Centre for Gifted Student in Science ASEAN Tourism ASEAN University Network ICT4D ASEAN Collaboratory Information Centre on Emergi

2. What does the ASEAN logo symbolise?

   • Blue represents peace and stability. Red depicts courage and dynamism. White represents purity and yellow symbolises prosperity. The 10 stalks of paid represent all the 10 countries in Southeast Asia bound together in friendship and solidarity. The cycle represents the unity of ASEAN.

3. ASEAN's Initiative

   • ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) & ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF)

4. Aims

   • Promote economic, social and cultural development of the region; protect the peace and stability of the region; and provide opportunities for member countries to discuss and resolve differences peacefully.

5. Why was ASEAN formed?

   • In the 1960s, the Southeast Asian region was going through economic, political and security challenges within and outside their borders. For example, Singapore and Malaysia separated after a difficult relationship in 1965. Indonesia experienced internal unrest when President Sukarno was overthrown and replaced by General Suharto in 1966. The Philippines and Malaysia were in dispute over Sabah. The Indochina countries like Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia were involved in border conflicts and the Vietnam War, Thailand's economy was affected by the wars in Indochina. Faced with all these disputes and conflicts, the Southeast Asian political leaders saw the need for a regional organisation to maintain stability and build trust. Thus, ASEAN was formed.

6. How does Singapore benefit from ASEAN membership?

   • The ASEAN Regional Forum will allow ASEAN nations to discuss on problems within the Asia-pacific region peacefully and this lowers the possibility of armed conflict/war in the region. Therefore, there will be no conflict and there will be stability, peace and an opportunity for trade and investment to grow, resulting in an economic growth for the region.

7. How does Singapore contribute to ASEAN?

   • Education and professional exchange: Singapore has provided technical training to 1,700 officials from Laos since 1993. The training included acquiring information technology skills, learning the English language and handling trade promotions. Economic cooperation and assistance: Singapore offered a five-year aid package of over S$80 million to selected member countries between the year 2000 to 2003. Environmental collaboration: Singapore assisted Indonesia in the monitoring of forest fires through the use of satellite images.

8. 1 Example of Case Study (Failure of ASEAN)

   • Vietnam and China were in conflict over China’s call for oil exploration in disputed territories.
   • Failure to reach an agreement on how to deal with China’s claims of South China Sea.
   • ASEAN ended the meeting in Cambodia without issuing a joint statement for the first time in ASEAN history.
   • China and the Philippines had a maritime standoff where both sides accused the other of trespassing and nearly resulted in war.

9. 1 Example of Case Study (Success of ASEAN)

   • 1997
   • Environmental Collaboration
   • Singapore and Indonesia
   • The forest fires in Indonesia created a serious problem in the region.
   • In Indonesia
   • Singapore assisted Indonesia in the monitoring of forest fires through the use of satellite images. ASEAN environmental ministers also met to devise a regional haze action plan with members helping Indonesia to battle the haze.

Images and files in the map