Overview of ASEAN

Objectives
The ASEAN Declaration states that the aims and purposes of the Association are:
(1) to accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region
(2) to promote regional peace and stability through abiding respect for justice and the rule of
law in the relationship among countries in the region and adherence to the principles of the
United Nations Charter

Fundamental Principles
ASEAN Member Countries have adopted the following fundamental principles in their
relations with one another, as contained in the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in
Southeast Asia (TAC):
-mutual respect for the independence, sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity, and national
identity of all nations; ·
-the right of every State to lead its national existence free from external interference,
subversion or coercion;
-·non-interference in the internal affairs of one another;
- ·settlement of differences or disputes by peaceful manner;
-·renunciation of the threat or use of force; and ·
-effective cooperation among themselves.

Association of Southeast Asian Nations

-Established on 8 August 1967 in Bangkok
-The five original Member Countries, namely, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines,
Singapore, and Thailand
-Brunei Darussalam joined on 8 January 1984, Vietnam on 28 July 1995, Lao PDR and
Myanmar on 23 July 1997, and Cambodia on 30 April 1999
-The ASEAN region has a population of more than 600 million
-ASEAN replaced the Association of South East Asia (ASA), which had been formed
by the Philippines, Thailand, and the Federation of Malaya (now part of Malaysia) in
1961.
-ASEAN’ s first summit meeting, held in Bali, Indonesia, in 1976, resulted in an
agreement on several industrial projects and the signing of a Treaty of Amity and
Cooperation and a Declaration of Concord

Diverse ASEAN
The land of diversity in cultures, civilizations and resources:
Land Area. ASEAN countries vary in sizes. The largest is Indonesia which at 1.86 million
square kilometers is 2,605 times the size of Singapore (714 square kilometers).

Population. While the Sultanate of Brunei is home to only 423,000 people, ASEAN’s
archipelagos such as Indonesia and the Philippines are inhabited by 238 million and 96
million people, respectively. Viet Nam is also highly populated with 87.8 million people.

Urbanization. Singapore is most urbanized with 100 percent urban population.

GDP. Growth across ASEAN is strong although developments still widely vary. Singapore,
Thailand, and Malaysia continue to perform well while Indonesia and the Philippines are
dubbed as emerging economies.

Advantages. ASEAN’s more developed economies are proud of their technologies,

research, and innovation while the rest leverages on the abundance of their natural
resources and competitive labor cost.

People of ASEAN
ASEAN is powered by 600 million people, most of whom are young. More than a quarter
belong to the 15-29 years age bracket, around 10 percent are children aged 5 years and
below, while only 6 percent are seniors or 65 years old and above.

ASEAN people are greatly influenced by the region ’ s rich history, diverse customs and
traditions, religious beliefs, economic progress, innovation, and technological sophistication.

Islam and Buddhism are widely practiced in the mainland Southeast Asia while
ASEAN peoples at the maritime eastern side, especially the Philippines, are largely
Roman Catholic. Hinduism and Christianity are also practiced regionwide

English, however, is the official business language of majority of ASEAN countries

ASEAN CHARTER: CHAPTER I -PURPOSES AND PRINCIPLES

1. To maintainand enhance peace, security and stability and further strengthen

peace-oriented values in the region;
2. To enhance regional resilience by promotinggreater political, security, economic and
socio-cultural cooperation;
3. To preserve Southeast Asia as a Nuclear-Weapon- Free Zone and free of all other
weapons of mass destruction.
4. To ensure that the peoples and Member States of ASEAN live in peace with the world at
large in a just, democratic and harmonious environment;
5. To createa single marketand production base which isstable, prosperous, highly

competitive and economically integrated with effective facilitation for trade and investment in

which there is free flow of goods,services and investment; facilitated movement of business

persons, professionals, talents and labour;and freer flow ofcapital; A single market is an area

where trade borders have been removed and free movement of goods, services, and people

is permitted.

6. To alleviatepoverty and narrowthe development gap within ASEAN through mutual

assistance and cooperation;
7. To strengthendemocracy, enhance good governance and the rule of law, and to promote
and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms, with due regard to the rights and
responsibilities of the Member States of ASEAN;
8. To respond effectively, in accordance with the principle of comprehensive security, to all
forms of threats, transnational crimes and trans-boundary challenges
9. To promote sustainable development so as to ensure the protection of the region ’ s
environment, the sustainability of its natural resources, the preservation of its cultural
heritage and the high quality of life of its peoples;
10. To develop human resources through closer cooperation in education and life-long
learning, and in science and technology, for the empowerment of the peoples of ASEAN and
for the strengthening of the ASEAN Community;
11. To enhance the well-being and livelihood of the peoples of ASEAN by providing them
with equitable access to opportunities for human development, social welfare and justice;
12. To strengthen cooperation in buildinga safe, secure and drug-free environment for the
peoples of ASEAN;
13. To promote a people-oriented ASEAN in which all sectors of society are encouraged to
participate in, and benefit from, the process of ASEAN integration and community building;
14. To promotean ASEAN identitythrough the fostering of greater awareness of the diverse
culture and heritage of the region;
15. To maintain the centrality and proactive role of ASEAN as the primarydriving force in its
relationsand cooperation with its external partners in a regional architecture that is open,
transparent and inclusive

ARTICLE 2 ASEAN CHARTER PRINCIPLES

PRINCIPLES
1.respect for the independence, sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity and national identity
of all ASEAN Member States
2.Shared commitment and collective responsibility in enhancing regional peace, security and
prosperity;
3.respect for fundamental freedoms, the promotion and protection of human rights,and the
promotion of social justice;
4.adherence to the rule of law, good governance, the principles of democracy and
constitutional government;
5.the centrality of ASEAN in external political, economic, social and cultural relations while
remaining actively engaged, outward-looking, inclusive and nondiscriminatory; and
6.adherence to multilateral trade rules and ASEAN’s rules-based regimes for effective
implementation of economic commitments and progressive reduction towards elimination of
all barriers to regional

CHAPTER II LEGAL PERSONALITY Article 3 Legal Personality of ASEAN

ASEAN, as an inter-governmental organization, is hereby conferred legal personality.

CHAPTER III MEMBERSHIP

Article 4 Member States- The ten members of ASEAN

Article 5 Rights and Obligations- Member States shall have equal rights and obligations
under this Charter

Article 6 Admission of New Members-1.Admission shall be based on the following criteria:

(a) location in the recognized geographical region of Southeast Asia;
(b) recognition by all ASEAN Member States;
(a) agreement to be bound and to abide by the Charter;
(b) ability and willingness to carry out the obligations of Membership

CHAPTER IV ORGANS
Article 7 ASEAN Summit- 1. The ASEAN Summit shall comprise the Heads of State or
Government of the Member States.

Article 8 ASEAN Coordinating Council- 1. The ASEAN Coordinating Council shall comprise
the ASEAN Foreign Ministers (foreign minister A foreign affairs minister or minister of foreign
affairs is generally a cabinet minister in charge of a state's foreign policy and relations) and
meet at least twice a year.

Article 9 ASEAN Community Councils-1.The ASEAN CommunityCouncils shall comprise

the ASEAN PoliticalSecurity Community Council, ASEAN Economic Community Council,
and ASEAN SocioCultural Community Council.

Article 10 ASEAN Sectoral Ministerial Bodies-(a) implement the agreements and

decisionsof the ASEAN Summit under their respective purview;
(b) submit reports and recommendations to their respective Community Councils.

Article 11 Secretary-General of ASEAN and ASEAN Secretariat -shall be appointed by the

ASEAN Summit for a nonrenewable term of office of five years, selected from among
nationals of the ASEAN Member States based on alphabetical rotation,

Article 12 Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN - (a) support the work of the
ASEAN Community Councils and ASEAN SectoralMinisterial Bodies;
(b) facilitate ASEAN cooperation with external partners; and
(c) perform such other functions as may be determined by the ASEAN Coordinating Council.

Article 13 ASEAN National Secretariats- (a) serve as the national focal point;
(b) be the repository of information on all ASEAN matters at the national level;
(c) coordinate and support the nationalpreparations of ASEAN meetings;

Article 14 ASEAN Human Rights Body-1. In conformity with the purposesand principles of
the ASEAN Charter relatingto the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental
freedoms, ASEAN shall establish an ASEAN human rights body.

CHAPTER V ENTITIES ASSOCIATEDWITH ASEAN

Article 15 ASEAN Foundation- promoting greater awareness of the ASEAN identity,
peopleto-people interaction, and close collaboration among the business sector, civil society,
academia and other stakeholders in ASEAN
Article 16 Entities Associated with ASEAN-Rules of procedure and criteriafor engagement
shall be prescribed by the Committee of Permanent Representatives upon the
recommendation of the Secretary-General of ASEAN.

CHAPTER VI IMMUNITIES AND PRIVILEGES

Article 17 Immunities and Privileges of ASEAN - ASEAN shall enjoy in the territories of the
Member States such immunities and privileges as are necessary for the fulfilment of its
purposes

Article 18 Immunities and Privileges of the Secretary-General of ASEAN and Staff of the
ASEAN Secretariat -The Secretary-General of ASEAN and staff of the ASEAN Secretariat
participating in official ASEAN activities or representing ASEAN in the Member States shall
enjoy such immunities and privileges as are necessary for the independent exercise of their
functions.

Article 19 Immunities and Privileges of the Permanent Representatives and Officials on

ASEAN Duties- The Permanent Representatives of the Member States to ASEAN and
officials of the Member States participating in official ASEAN activities or representing
ASEAN

CHAPTER VII DECISION-MAKING

Article 20 Consultation and Consensus- In the case of a seriousbreach of the Charter or
noncompliance, the matter shall be referred to the ASEAN Summit for decision.

Article 21 Implementation and Procedure-Each ASEAN Community Council shall prescribe

its own rules of procedure.

CHAPTER VIII SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES

Article 22 General Principles- Member States shall endeavor to resolve peacefully all
disputes in a timely manner through dialogue, consultation and negotiation.

Article 23 Good Offices, Conciliation and Mediation- Member States which are parties to a
dispute may at any time agree to resort to good offices, conciliation or mediation in orderto
resolve the dispute within an agreed time limit.
Article 24 Dispute Settlement Mechanisms in Specific Instruments -Where not otherwise
specifically provided, disputes which concern the interpretation or application of ASEAN
economic agreements shall be settledin accordance with the ASEAN Protocol on Enhanced
Dispute Settlement Mechanism.

CHAPTER VIII SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES

Article 26 Unresolved Disputes-When a dispute remains unresolved, after theapplication of
the preceding provisions of this Chapter, this dispute shall be referredto the ASEAN Summit,
for its decision.

Article 27 Compliance -assisted by the ASEAN Secretariat or any other designatedASEAN

body, shall monitor the compliance with the findings, recommendations or decisionsresulting
from an ASEAN dispute settlement mechanism, and submit a report to the ASEAN Summit.

Article 28 United Nations Charter Provisions and Other Relevant - Member States have the
right of recourseto the modes of peaceful settlement contained in Article33(1) of the Charter
of the United Nations or any other international legal instruments to which the disputing
Member States are parties.

CHAPTER IX BUDGET AND FINANCE

Article 29 General Principles-ASEAN shall establish financial rules and procedures in
accordance with international standards.

Article 30 Operational Budget and Finances of the ASEAN Secretariat- The operational
budget of the ASEAN Secretariat shall be met by ASEAN Member States through equal
annual contributions which shall be remitted in a timely manner.

CHAPTER X ADMINISTRATION AND PROCEDURE

Article 31 Chairman of ASEAN- The Chairmanship of ASEAN shall rotate annually, based
on the alphabetical order of the English names of Member States.

Article 32 Role of the Chairman of ASEAN- a) actively promote and enhance the
interestsand well-being of ASEAN, including efforts to build an ASEAN Community through
policy initiatives, coordination, consensus and cooperation;
Article 33 Diplomatic Protocol and Practices- Any changes shall be approved by the ASEAN
Coordinating Council upon the recommendation of the Committee of Permanent
Representatives.

Article 34 Working Language of ASEAN- The working language of ASEAN shall be English.

CHAPTER 2: ASEAN COMMUNITY

Governments adopted the Declaration of ASEAN Concord II (Bali Concord II) in
2003, which establishes an ASEAN Community by 2020. The ASEAN Community
consists of three pillars, namely the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC), the
ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community
(ASCC).
The ASEAN Heads of States/Governments, at their Summit in Kuala Lumpur in
December 1997 envisioned a concert of Southeast Asian nations, outward looking, living in
peace, stability and prosperity, bonded together in partnership in dynamic development and
in a community of caring societies.
The APSC Blueprint is guided by the ASEAN Charter and the principles and
purposes contained therein. The APSC Blueprint builds on the ASEAN Security Community
Plan of Action, the Vientiane Action Programme (VAP), as well as relevant decisions by
various ASEAN Sectoral Bodies.

CHARACTERISTIC AND ELEMENTS OF APSC

-The APSC will ensure that the peoples and Member States of ASEAN live in peace with
one another and with the world at large in a just, democratic and harmonious environment. h
a topic idea for the party.
-The APSC shall promote political development in adherence to the principles of democracy,
the rule of law and good governance, respect for and promotion and protection of human
rights and fundamental freedoms as inscribed in the ASEAN Charter.
-At the same time, in the interest of preserving and enhancing peace and stability in the
region, the APSC seeks to strengthen the mutually beneficial relations between ASEAN and
its Dialogue Partners and friends
-The APSC subscribes to a comprehensive approach to security, which acknowledges the
interwoven relationships of political, economic, social-cultural and environmental dimensions
of development.
-These characteristics are inter-related and mutually reinforcing, and shall be pursued in a
balanced and consistent manner. To effectively realize the APSC, the APSC Blueprint is an
actionoriented document with a view to achieving results and recognizes the capacity and
capability of ASEAN Member States to undertake the stipulated actions in the Blueprint.

~RULES-BASED COMMUNITY OF SHARED VALUES AND NORMS

-ASEAN’s cooperation in political development aims to strengthen democracy, enhance
good governance and the rule of law, and to promote and protect human rights and
fundamental freedoms, with due regard to the rights and responsibilities of the Member
States of ASEAN, so as to ultimately create a Rules-based Community of shared values and
norms
- ASEAN aims to achieve a standard of common adherence to norms of good conduct
among member states of the ASEAN Community; consolidating and strengthening ASEAN’s
solidarity, cohesiveness and harmony; and contributing to the building of a peaceful,
democratic, tolerant, participatory and transparent community in Southeast Asia. .
-Moreover, cooperation in political development will bring to maturity the political elements
and institutions in ASEAN, towards which the sense of interstate solidarity on political
systems, culture and history will be better fostered. Such inter-state solidarity can be
achieved further through the shaping and sharing of norms.

~PROMOTE GOOD GOVERNANCE

-Conduct analytical and technical studies to establish baselines, benchmarks, and best
practices in various aspects of governance in the region;
-Promote sharing of experiences and best practices through workshops and seminars on
leadership concepts and principles with emphasis on good governance, and on developing
norms on good governance;
-Conduct a study by 2009 on partnership between public and private sectors and academia
in creating a conducive climate for good governance to provide concrete recommendations
to appropriate ASEAN sectoral bodies; and
-Promote dialogue and partnership among governments, private sectors and other relevant
organizations to foster and enable new ideas, concepts and methods with a view to enhance
transparency, accountability, participatory and effective governance. Promote Good
Governance

~PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS

Establish an ASEAN human rights body through the completion of its Terms of Reference
(ToR) by 2009 and encourage cooperation between it and existing human rights
mechanisms, as well as with other relevant international organizations
-Cooperate closely with efforts of the sectoral bodies in the development of an ASEAN
instrument on the protection and promotion of the rights of migrant workers;
-Strengthen interaction between the network of existing human rights mechanisms as well as
other civil society organizations, with relevant ASEAN sectoral bodies .
- Enhance/conduct exchange of information in the field of human rights among ASEAN
countries in order to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms of
peoples in accordance with the ASEAN Charter and the Charter of the United Nations, and
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Vienna Declaration and Programme of
Action
-Promote education and public awareness on human rights
~PROMOTE PRINCIPLES OF DEMOCRACY ACTIONS
-Promote understanding of the principles of democracy among ASEAN youth at schools at
an appropriate stage of education, bearing in mind the educational system in the respective
ASEAN Member States;
-Convene seminars, training programmes and other capacity building activities for
government officials, think-tanks and relevant civil society organizations to exchange views,
sharing experiences and promote democracy and democratic institutions; and
-Conduct annual research on experiences and lessons-learned of democracy aimed at
enhancing the adherence to the principles of democracy

~PROMOTE PEACE AND STABILITY IN THE REGION

-Support the inclusion of culture of peace which includes, inter alia, respect for diversity,
promotion of tolerance and understanding of faiths, religions and cultures in the curriculum of
ASEAN academic institutions;
- Develop programmes and activities aimed at the promotion of culture of peace, interfaith
and intra faith dialogue within the region;
-Promote respect and appreciation for the region’s diversity and harmony among the
peoples of the region;
-Promote dialogue and greater interaction among various religious and ethnic groups;
-Promote networking among schools inthe region to develop peace education in their
respective curricula;

~PROMOTE REGIONAL COOPERATION TO MAINTAIN PEACE AND STABILITY

-Carry out technical cooperation with the UN and relevant regional organizations to
exchange expertise and experiences in maintaining peace and stability;
-Identify national focal points, with a view to promoting regional cooperation in maintaining
peace and stability; and
-Establish a network among existing ASEAN Member States’ peace keeping centres to
conduct joint planning, training, and sharing of experiences, with
-Establishing an ASEAN arrangement for the maintenance of peace and stability, in
accordance with the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) 3-Year Work Programme.

~POST-CONFLICT PEACE-BUILDING AL COOPERATION TO MAINTAIN PEACE AND

STABILITY
-ASEAN’s efforts in post-conflict peace building shall complement other comprehensive
approaches to: (a) ensure the complete discontinuity of conflicts and violence and/or
man-made disasters in affected areas; (b) facilitate the return of peace and/or normalization
of life as early as possible; and (c) lay the ground for reconciliation and all other necessary
measures to secure peace and stability, thus preventing the affected areas from falling again
to conflicts in the future.
-Measures can be pursued in promoting humanitarian relief activities, including intensifying
cooperation with the United Nations and other organizations, as well as capacity building for
people in affected areas.

~STRENGTHEN ASEAN HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE

-Provide basic services or assistance to bring relief to victims of conflict in consultation with
the receiving State;
-Promote cooperation for orderly repatriation of refugees/displaced persons and resettlement
of internally displaced persons;
-Intensify cooperation with the United Nations and promote the role and contributions of
relevant international organizations on humanitarian assistance;
- Expand the role and contribution of women in field-based humanitarian operations.

~DYNAMIC AND OUTWARD-LOOKING REGION IN AN INCREASINGLY INTEGRATED

AND INTERDEPENDENT WORLD
-ASEAN fosters and maintains friendly and mutually beneficial relations with external parties
to ensure that the peoples and Member States of ASEAN live in peace with the world at
large in a just, democratic and harmonious environment. ASEAN remains outward-looking
and plays a pivotal role in the regional and international fora to advance ASEAN's common
interests.
-Through its external relations, ASEAN will exercise and maintain its centrality and proactive
role as the primary driving force in an open, transparent and inclusive regional architecture
to support the establishment of the ASEAN Community by 2015.
ASEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY (AEC) BLUEPRINT
ASEAN began forming the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2003 at the 9th
ASEAN Summit.
In addition to free movement of goods, AEC aimed at deepening integration through
free movement of services, investment, capital, and skilled workers.
The AEC furthers integration into the global economy by participating in global supply
chains and actively promotes FTAs with countries outside the ASEAN region.

Development of ASEAN’s economic integration

The first effective trade liberalization was achieved in 1988 by the Brand to Brand
Complementation (BBC)
The BBC is a trade liberalization program proposed by Mitsubishi Motors, but it was
also used by Japanese automobile manufacturers, including Nissan and Toyota.
AICO was also used by foreign companies, such as those in the electric industry, and
its main users were also Japanese companies Effective trade liberalization

Building the ASEAN Economic community

The AEC was proposed by Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong of Singapore, who had
deep concerns that ASEAN weakened the ability to attract foreign investment.
To continue to draw foreign investment, ASEAN leaders were convinced that ASEAN
should demonstrate its intent to deepen the economic integration to foreign investors.
By establishing the AEC, ASEAN deepened economic integration by transforming to
a region with free movement of goods, services, investment, and skilled labor, and freer
movement of capital.

Consolidated strategic action plan

-The background for setting realistic and cautious goals is that liberalization, such as
eliminating tariffs, has progressed considerably in AEC2015, leaving some areas that are
difficult to achieve
-There are concerns that Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines will fall into the
middle-income trap and slow growth.
-In AEC2025, many areas, including information and communication technology, applied
science and technology, entrepreneurship, food security and food safety, health care, and
the environment have been transferred from the ASCC 2015.
-The background for setting realistic and cautious goals is that liberalization, such as
eliminating tariffs, has progressed considerably in AEC2015, leaving some areas that are
difficult to achieve
-There are concerns that Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines will fall into the
middle-income trap and slow growth.
- In AEC2025, many areas, including information and communication technology, applied
science and technology, entrepreneurship, food security and food safety, health care, and
the environment have been transferred from the ASCC 2015.

What type of economic integration is the AEC?

To understand the AEC’s type of economic integration, the forms that indicate the stages of
integration should be considered.
Bella Ballasa’s theory of economic integration is well known. These are:
(1) free trade area (FTA),
(2) customs union,
(3) common market,
(4) economic union, and
(5) complete economic integration

ASEAN SOCIOCULTURAL COMMUNITY (ASCC) BLUEPRINT

The ASEAN Leaders adopted the Declaration of ASEAN Concord II (Bali Concord II)
in Bali, Indonesia on 7 October 2003 to establish an ASEAN Community by 2020.
The ASEAN Community shall be established comprising three pillars, namely political
and security community, economic community, and socio-cultural community that are closely
intertwined and mutually reinforcing for the purpose of ensuring durable peace, stability, and
shared prosperity in the region.

CHARACTERISTICS AND ELEMENTS

-The primary goal of the ASCC is to contribute to realizing an ASEAN Community that is
people centered andsocially responsible with a viewto achieving enduringsolidarity and unity
among the nations and peoples of ASEAN by forging a common identity and building a
caring and sharing society which is inclusive and harmonious where the well-being,
livelihood, and welfare of the peoples are enhanced.
-TheASCC is characterizedby a cultureof regional resilience,adherence to agreed principles,
spirit of cooperation, collective responsibility, to promote human and social development,
respect for fundamental freedoms, gender equality, the promotion and protection of human
rights and the promotion of social justice.
-The ASCC shall respect the different cultures, languages, and religions of the peoples of
ASEAN emphasize their common values in the spirit of unity in diversity and adapt them to
present realities, opportunities and challenges.
 ● Advancing and prioritizing education
-Achieve universal access to primary education across ASEAN by 2015 with priorities to
eradicate illiteracy and to ensure compulsory primary education for all and gender equality in
education, through advocating for equal opportunity in education regardless of social class,
geography ethnicity, background or physical disabilities, with 70 percent target benchmark
achieved by the end of 2011;
-Use ICT to promote education and lifelong learning particularly in underserved communities
through open, distance education and e-learning;
-Strengthen collaboration with other regional and international educational organizations to
enhance the quality of education in the region;
-Include the teaching of common values and cultural heritage in school curricula and develop
teaching materials and capability for this purpose starting in 2008;
-Develop and offer courses on ASEAN studies, both in the primary, secondary and higher
education levels;
-Support learning of ASEAN languages and promote exchanges of linguists;

● Promotion of decent work

-Enhancecapacity of governmentsto monitor labourmarkets and humanresource indicators,
and design social impact policies
-Establishnational skills frameworksas an incrementalapproach towards anASEAN skills
recognition framework;
-Endeavour to build an ASEAN network of experts in industrial relations to assist in
promotingsound industrial relations,industrial harmony, higherproductivity and decent work
by 2010;

● Promoting Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

-Implement capacity building programmes to increase ICT literacy in ASEAN, including
women, children, the elderly and people with disabilities;
-Encourage the introduction of ICT at all levels of education; .
-Develop a workforce and manpower with high levels of ICT proficiency and expertise

● Poverty Alleviation
-Improve ASEAN capacity in simple and applicable assessment and monitoring poverty
reduction strategies through a targeting system that ensures low exclusion and leakage
rates;
-Families living under poverty to be aided with appropriate support system to enable them to
become self-reliant;
-Work towards the establishment of an ASEAN data bank on poverty incidence and poverty
reduction programme, which can be shared among Member States;

● Enhancing food security and safety

-Promote production of safe and healthy food by producers at all levels;
-Develop model food legislative framework and guidelines and strengthen food inspection
and certification system from farm to table in ASEAN Member States;
-Develop further the competency of existing network of food laboratories in ASEAN to
facilitate the exchange of information, findings, experiences, and best practices relating food
laboratories works and new technology;