Recognizing the achievements of ASEAN since its foundation on 8 August 1967, the 10 members of ASEAN have entered into the new common legal framework of the “ASEAN Charter” on 15 December 2008.
The ASEAN Charter defines the purpose and principles of ASEAN and its responsibilities, rights and obligations towards the ASEAN people and countries, giving it a legally biding existence.
Summary of the ASEAN Charter
Preamble – page 1
Chapter I – Purpose and principles – page 3
Article 1 – Purposes – page 3
Article 2 – Principles – page 5
Chapter II – Legal personality – page 8
Article 3 – Legal personality of ASEAN – page 8
Chapter III – Membership – page 8
Article 4 – Member states – page 8
Article 5 – Rights and obligations – page 8
Article 6 – Admission of new members – page 9
Chapter IV – Organs – page 10
Article 7 – ASEAN summit – page 10
Article 8 – ASEAN coordinating council – page 11
Article 9 – ASEAN community councils – page 12
Article 10 – ASEAN sectoral ministerial bodies – page 14
Article 11 – Secretary-General of ASEAN and ASEAN secretariat – page 14
Article 12 – Committee of permanent representatives to ASEAN – page 17
Article 13 – ASEAN human rights body – page 19
Article 15 – ASEAN foundation – page 19
Chapter V – Entities associated with ASEAN – page 20
Article 16 – Entities associated with ASEAN – page 20
Chapter VI – Immunities and privileges – page 20
Article 17 – Immunities and privileges of ASEAN – page 20
Article 18 – Immunities and privileges of the Secretary-General of ASEAN and staff of the ASEAN secretariat – page 21
Article 19 – Immunities and privileges of the permanent representatives and officials on ASEAN duties – page 21
Chapter VII – Decision-making – page 22
Article 20 – Consultation and consensus – page 22
Article 21 – Implementation and procedure – page 22
Chapter VIII – Settlement of disputes – page 23
Article 22 – General principles – page 23
Article 23 – Good offices, conciliation and mediation – page 23
Article 24 – Dispute settlement mechanisms in specific instruments – page 24
Article 25 – Establishment of dispute settlement mechanisms – page 24
Article 26 – Unresolved disputes – page 25
Article 27 – Compliance – page 25
Article 26 – United Nations Charter provisions and other relevant international procedures – page 25
Chapter IX – Budget and finance – page 26
Article 29 – General principles – page 26
Article 30 – Operational budget and finances of the ASEAN Secretariat – page 26
Chapter X – Administration and procedure – page 27
Article 31 – Chairman of ASEAN – page 27
Article 32 – Role of the Chairman of ASEAN – page 28
Article 33 – Diplomatic protocol and practices – page 28
Article 34 – Working language of ASEAN – page 29
Chapter XI – Identity and symbols – page 29
Article 35 – ASEAN identity – page 29
Article 36 – ASEAN motto – page 29
Article 37 – ASEAN flag – page 29
Article 38 – ASEAN emblem – page 30
Article 39 – ASEAN day – page 30
Article 40 – ASEAN anthem – page 30
Chapter XII – External relations – page 30
Article 41 – Conduct of external relations – page 30
Article 42 – Dialogue coordinator – page 31
Article 43 – ASEAN committees in third countries and international organisations – page 32
Article 44 – Status of external parties – page 33
Article 45 – Relations with the United Nations system and other international organisations and institutions – page 33
Article 46 – Accreditation of non-ASEAN member states to ASEAN – page 34
Chapter XIII – General and final provisions – page 34
Article 47 – Signature, ratification, depository and entry into force – page 34
Article 48 – Amendments – page 35
Article 49 – Terms of reference and rules of procedure – page 35
Article 50 – Review – page 35
Article 51 – Interpretation of the charter – page 36
Article 52 – Legal continuity – page 36
Article 53 – Original text – page 37
Article 54 – Registration of the ASEAN charter – page 37
Article 55 – ASEAN assets – page 37
Annex 1 – ASEAN sectoral ministerial bodies – page 41
I. ASEAN political-security community – page 41
II. ASEAN economic community – page 42
III. ASEAN socio-cultural community – page 44
Annex 2 – Entities associated with ASEAN – page 46
I. Parliamentarians – page 46
II. Business organisations – page 46
III. Think tanks and academic institutions – page 47
IV. Accredited civil society organisations – page 47
V. Other stakeholders in ASEAN – page 49
