Overview
ASEAN Charter calls for ASEAN to develop friendly relations and mutually beneficial dialogue cooperation and partnerships with countries and sub-regional, regional and international organisations and institutions. ASEAN External Relations sets out the framework for ASEAN to widen and deepen its relations with external parties through the conferment of the formal status of Dialogue Partner (DPs), Sectoral Dialogue Partner (SDPs) and Development Partner.
ASEAN continues to be the primary driving force in fostering regional collaboration and maintaining its central role in regional cooperation mechanisms.
Under the ASEAN Community Vision 2025, the ASEAN Political-Security Community Blueprint 2025, section C.2. also highlights the importance for ASEAN to deepen cooperation with Dialogue Partners, strengthen engagement with other external parties, reach out to new potential partners for mutually beneficial relations, and to respond collectively and constructively to global developments.
To date, ASEAN has established Dialogue Partnerships with:
*Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
Sectoral Dialogue Partnerships with:
ASEAN has also established regional cooperation mechanisms such as:
ASEAN External Relations Coordinatorship
ASEAN Charter article 42 regarding Dialogue Coordinator states:
- Member States, acting as Country Coordinators, shall take turns to take overall responsibility in coordinating and promoting the interests of ASEAN in its relations with the relevant Dialogue Partners, regional and international organisations and institutions.
- In relations with the external partners, the Country Coordinators shall, inter alia:
- represent ASEAN and enhance relations on the basis of mutual respect and equality, in conformity with ASEAN’s principles;
- co-chair relevant meetings between ASEAN and external partners; and
- be supported by the relevant ASEAN Committees in Third Countries and International Organisations.
Non-ASEAN Member States Ambassadors to ASEAN (NAAAs)
In accordance with Article 46 of the ASEAN Charter, non-ASEAN Member States and relevant intergovernmental organisations may appoint and accredit Ambassadors to ASEAN. The ASEAN Political-Security Community Blueprint 2025, section C.2.2. also highlighted that ASEAN is to develop and maintain effective partnerships with external parties to support the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 through enhanced engagements between the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN (CPR) and the ASEAN Secretariat with Ambassadors of non-ASEAN Member States and relevant intergovernmental organisations accredited to ASEAN. To date, 96 NAAAs have been accredited to ASEAN.
List of Ambassadors to ASEAN from non-ASEAN Member States and relevant intergovernmental organisations.
ASEAN Committee in Third Countries and International Organisations (ACTCs)
In accordance with Article 43 of the ASEAN Charter, the ACTCs are established to promote ASEAN’s interests and identity in the respective host countries and/or international organisations. The importance of the ACTCs is also highlighted under the ASEAN Political-Security Community Blueprint 2025, section C.2.2., in which, ASEAN is to develop and maintain effective partnerships with external parties to support the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 by utilising the role of the ACTCs more effectively to promote ASEAN and cooperation between ASEAN and the host countries/international organisations.
To date, 55 ASEAN Committees in Third Countries and International Organisations (ACTCs) have been established to assist in coordinating and facilitating ASEAN matters in their respective host countries.
For inquiries related to ACTCs, please send your email to ExternalRelationsDirectorate@asean.org.
International/Regional Organisation
In accordance with Article 44 (2) and Article 45 of the ASEAN Charter, ASEAN reaffirms the importance of multilateralism and underscores the significance of its partnerships with other external partners such as International and Regional Organisations (IOs/ROs), to address global concerns, pursue shared goals and complementary initiatives, and promote sustainable development for the benefit of the people.
To date, ASEAN has established partnerships with IOs such as the United Nations (UN) and UN Specialised Agencies as well as with several ROs, including:
- Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC)
- Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO)
- Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU)
- Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
- Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)
- Pacific Alliance (PA)
- Pacific Islands Forum (PIF)
- Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)
- Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR)
- South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)
- United Nations
among others. These partnerships have contributed positively towards ASEAN’s Community building efforts and in the maintenance of peace, stability and prosperity in the region and beyond.
