ASEAN was established on 8 August 1967 by the five original member countries (ASEAN-5),
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. Its purposes, as stated in the ASEAN Declaration, are: (i) to
accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region, and
(ii) 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.