Chapter iv organs
Article 7 asean summit
1 the asean summit shall comprise the heads of state of government of the member states
2 the asean summit shall
(A) be the supreme policy-making body of asean
(B) deliberate provide policy guidance and take decisions on key issues pertaining to the realization of the objectives of asean important matters of interest to member states and all issues referred to it by the asean coordinating council the asean community councils and asean sectoral ministerial bodies
(C) instruct the relevant ministers in each of the councils concerned to hold ad hoc inter-ministerial meetings and address important issues concerning asean that cut across the community councils rules of procedure for such meeting shall be adopted by the asean coordinating council
(D) address emergency situations affecting asean by taking appropriate actions
(E) decide on matters referred to it under chapter vii and viii
(F) authorize the establishment and the dissolution of sectoral ministerial bodies and other asean institutions and
(G) appoint the secretary-general of asean with the rank and status of minister who will serve with the confidence and at the pleasure of the heads of state of government upon the recommendation of the asean foreign ministers meeting
3 asean summit meetings shall be
(A) held twice annually and be hosted by the member state holding the asean chairmanship and
(B) convened whenever necessary as special of ad hoc meeting to be chaired by the member state holding the asean chairmanship at venues to be agreed upon by asean member states
Article 8
Asean coordinating council
1 the asean coordinating council shall comprise the asean foreign ministers and meet at least twice a year
2 the asean coordinating council shall
(A) prepare the meetings of the asean summit
(B) coordinate the implementation of agreements and decisions of the asean summit
(C) coordinate with the asean community councils to enhance policy coherence efficiency and cooperation among them
(D) coordinate the reports of the asean community councils to the asean summit
(E) consider the annual report of the secretary-general on the work of asean
(F) consider the report of the secretary-general on the functions and operations of the asean secretariat and other relevant bodies
(G) approve the appointment and termination of the deputy secretaries-general upon the recommendation of the secretary-general and
(H) undertake other tasks provided for in this charter of such other functions as may be assigned by the asean summit
3 the asean coordinating council shall be supported by the relevant senior officials
Article 9
Asean community councils
1 the asean community councils shall comprise the asean political-security community council asean economic community council and asean socio-cultural community council
2 each asean community council shall have under its purview the relevant asean sectoral ministerial bodies
3 each member state shall designate its national representation for each asean community council meeting
4 in order to realize the objectives of each of the three pillars of the asean community each asean community council shall
(A) ensure the implementation of the relevant decisions of the asean summit
(B) coordinate the work of the different sectors under its purview and on issues which cut across the other community councils and
(C) submit reports and recommendations to the asean summit on matters under its purview
5 each asean community council shall meet at least twice a year and shall be chaired by the appropriate minister from the member state holding the asean chairmanship
6 each asean community council shall be supported by the relevant senior officials
Article 10
Asean sectoral ministerial bodies
1 asean sectoral ministerial bodies shall
(A) function in accordance with their respective established mandates
(B) implement the agreements and decisions of the asean summit under their respective purview
(C) strengthen cooperation in their respective fields in support of asean integration and community building and
(D) submit reports and recommendations to their respective community councils
2 each asean sectoral ministerial body may have under its purview the relevant senior officials and subsidiary bodies to undertake its functions as contained in annex 1 the annex may be updated by the secretary – general of asean upon the recommendation of the committee of permanent representatives without recourse to the provision on amendments under this charter
Article 11
Secretary-general of asean and asean secretariat
1 the secretary – general of asean shall be appointed by the asean summit for a non – renewable term of office of five years selected from among nationals of the asean member states based on alphabetical rotation with due consideration to integrity capability and professional experience and gender equality
2 the secretary-general shall
(A) carry out the duties and responsibilities of this high office in accordance with the provisions of this charter and relevant asean instruments protocols and established practices
(B) facilitate and monitor progress in the implementation of asean agreements and decisions and submit an annual report on the work of asean to the asean summit
(C) participate in meetings of the asean summit the asean community councils the asean coordinating council and asean sectoral ministerial bodies and other relevant asean meetings
(D) present the views of asean and participate in meetings with external parties in accordance with approved policy guidelines and mandate given to the secretary-general and
(E) recommend the appointment and termination of the deputy secretaries-general to the asean coordinating council for approval
3 the secretary-general shall also be the chief administrative officer of asean
4 the secretary-general shall be assisted by four deputy secretaries-general with the rank and status of deputy ministers the deputy secretaries-general shall be accountable to the secretary-general in carrying out their functions
5 the four deputy secretaries general shall be of different nationalities from the secretary general and shall come from four different asean member states
6 the four deputy secretaries general shall comprise
(A) two deputy secretaries general who will serve a non renewable term of three years selected from among nationals of the asean member states based on alphabetical rotation with due consideration to integrity qualifications competence experience and gender equality and
(B) two deputy secretaries general who will serve a term of three years which may be renewed for another three years these two deputy secretaries general shall be openly recruited based on merit
7 the asean secretariat shall comprise the secretary general and such staff as may be required
8 the secretary general and the staff shall
(A) uphold the highest standards of integrity efficiency and competence in the performance of their duties
(B) not seek of receive instructions from any government or external party outside of asean and
(C) refrain from any action which might reflect on their position as asean secretariat officials responsible only to asean
9 each asean member state undertakes to respect the exclusively asean character of the responsibilities of the secretary general and the staff and not to seek to influence them in the discharge of their responsibilities.