To accelerate economic growth, social progress, and cultural development in the region.
To promote regional peace and stability.
To promote collaboration and mutual assistance on matters of common interest.
To provide assistance to each other in the form of training and research facilities.
To collaborate for the better utilisation of agriculture and industry to raise the living standards of the people.
To promote Southeast Asian studies.
To maintain close, beneficial co-operation with existing international organisations with similar aims and purposes[15]