ASEAN Summit Year and Country History Timeline and Biographies

First ASEAN Summit in Bali, Indonesia

The inaugural ASEAN Summit was held in Bali, Indonesia, marking a significant milestone in the history of ASEAN. Leaders from the five founding member countries—Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand—gathered to discuss regional cooperation and establish a framework for political and economic collaboration.

Second ASEAN Summit in Manila, Philippines

The Second ASEAN Summit took place in Manila, Philippines, where leaders reaffirmed their commitment to regional cooperation and signed the ASEAN Declaration on the South China Sea, addressing maritime security and territorial disputes in the region.

Third ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The Third ASEAN Summit was convened in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, focusing on the establishment of the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) and enhancing economic integration among member countries to promote regional trade and investment.

ASEAN Free Trade Area Agreement Signed

In 1992, the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) agreement was signed at the Fourth ASEAN Summit in Singapore, aiming to reduce tariffs and promote trade among member states, paving the way for deeper economic integration.

Fifth ASEAN Summit in Bangkok, Thailand

The Fifth ASEAN Summit was held in Bangkok, Thailand, where leaders adopted the Bangkok Declaration, emphasizing the importance of regional peace, stability, and cooperation in addressing common challenges in Southeast Asia.

Sixth ASEAN Summit in Hanoi, Vietnam

The Sixth ASEAN Summit took place in Hanoi, Vietnam, where member countries agreed on the ASEAN Vision 2020, outlining their goals for regional integration and cooperation by the year 2020.

Seventh ASEAN Summit in Hanoi, Vietnam

The Seventh ASEAN Summit, also in Hanoi, Vietnam, focused on the ASEAN Charter and the establishment of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) to enhance security cooperation and dialogue among member states and external partners.

Eighth ASEAN Summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

The Eighth ASEAN Summit was held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, where leaders adopted the Declaration of ASEAN Concord II, committing to the establishment of an ASEAN Community by 2020, encompassing political-security, economic, and sociocultural dimensions.

Thirteenth ASEAN Summit in Cebu, Philippines

The Thirteenth ASEAN Summit took place in Cebu, Philippines, where leaders signed the ASEAN Charter, formalizing ASEAN's legal status and institutional framework, and setting the stage for a more integrated regional community.

ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights Established

In 2009, the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) was established during the Fourteenth ASEAN Summit in Cha-am, Thailand, marking a significant step in promoting and protecting human rights in the region.

ASEAN Community Established at the Twenty-Seventh ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The Twenty-Seventh ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, marked the official establishment of the ASEAN Community, which encompasses three pillars: political-security, economic, and sociocultural, aiming for greater integration and cooperation among member states.

Thirtieth ASEAN Summit in Manila, Philippines

The Thirtieth ASEAN Summit was held in Manila, Philippines, focusing on the theme of "Partnering for Change, Engaging the World," and emphasizing ASEAN's role in addressing global challenges and enhancing regional cooperation.

ASEAN Leaders' Vision for a Resilient and Innovative ASEAN at the Thirty-Second ASEAN Summit in Singapore

The Thirty-Second ASEAN Summit in Singapore adopted the ASEAN Leaders' Vision for a Resilient and Innovative ASEAN, highlighting the importance of innovation and resilience in driving sustainable development in the region.

Thirty-Fifth ASEAN Summit in Bangkok, Thailand, Focused on COVID-19 Response

The Thirty-Fifth ASEAN Summit, held in Bangkok, Thailand, was largely focused on the collective response to the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing regional cooperation in health security and economic recovery efforts.

Thirty-Sixth ASEAN Summit in Hanoi, Vietnam, Emphasizing Post-Pandemic Recovery

The Thirty-Sixth ASEAN Summit took place in Hanoi, Vietnam, where leaders discussed strategies for post-pandemic recovery, economic resilience, and enhancing regional supply chains in the wake of COVID-19.

Forty-Fifth ASEAN Summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Addressing Regional Security Issues

The Forty-Fifth ASEAN Summit was held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, focusing on regional security issues, including the South China Sea disputes and the geopolitical implications of global tensions, reaffirming ASEAN's commitment to peace and stability in the region.

Forty-Sixth ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia, Promoting Sustainable Development

The Forty-Sixth ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia, prioritized sustainable development and climate action, with leaders discussing collaborative efforts to address environmental challenges while promoting economic growth in the region.