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Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

Learn about ASEAN’s role in promoting regional peace, stability, and economic growth through cooperation among Southeast Asian nations.

Last updated 22 October 2025

Singapore and ASEAN

ASEAN flag with red circle and yellow stalks on a rippling blue background.

Singapore was one of the founding members of ASEAN when it was established in 1967. ASEAN was established to promote peace and understanding in the Southeast Asian region, as well as to foster economic collaboration, social progress and cultural understanding. Today, Singapore remains deeply committed to these causes and continues to foster close ties with our ASEAN counterparts.

ASEAN and the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) are the cornerstones of Singapore’s foreign economic policy. The AEC 2015 is the realisation of regional economic integration among the 10 ASEAN Member States (AMS), which includes the free flow of trade and investment in the region, making it easier to do business here. ASEAN has since embarked on the next phase of regional economic integration under the AEC Blueprint 2025, which continues to be a vehicle for furthering the ambitions of our businesses and expanding their global reach.

Singapore participates actively in the ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) Meeting and its related meetings to direct ASEAN economic co-operation. Singapore also took on the chairmanship of ASEAN in 2018, working with ASEAN and our external partners to forge a Resilient and Innovative ASEAN.

ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) 2025

Singapore has built up strong trade connectivity through ASEAN’s extensive trade and investment-related agreements. This has sharpened the competitiveness of our businesses, by providing them with preferential treatment and access to the growing markets in ASEAN and beyond.

Under the AEC Blueprint 2025, ASEAN is embarking on the next phase of regional economic integration. AEC 2025 will continue to be a vehicle for furthering the ambitions of our businesses and expanding their global reach. Essentially, AEC 2025 aims to achieve:

  • A highly integrated and cohesive economy

  • A competitive, innovative and dynamic ASEAN

  • Enhanced connectivity and sectoral cooperation

  • A resilient, inclusive, people-oriented and people-centred ASEAN

  • A global ASEAN

Find out more on the AEC via the ASEAN website..

For more info on the Mid-Term Review of the AEC Blueprint 2025, click on Poster A [PDF, 8.2 MB] for report highlights and Poster C [PDF, 3.2 MB] for key achievements of the AEC integration effort from 2016 to 2020.

ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) 2015

The ASEAN Economic Community (or AEC) 2015 is the realisation of regional economic integration among the 10 ASEAN Member States (AMS), which includes the free flow of trade and investment in the region, making it easier to do business here. This was a vision adopted by ASEAN Leaders on ASEAN’s 30th Anniversary in 1997. The vision was concretised in 2003 through an action plan with specific commitments, captured in an AEC 2015 Blueprint that ASEAN Leaders signed in Singapore in 2007. Originally part of an ASEAN Vision 2020, the timeline for AMS to implement these commitments was brought forward to 2015.

AEC 2015 Resources

ASEAN Digital Integration

Discover how ASEAN's digital integration enhances cross-border e-commerce, connectivity, and innovation to support growth and a seamless digital economy in the region.

ASEAN Digital Integration

Discover how ASEAN’s digital integration enhances cross-border e-commerce, connectivity, and innovation to support growth and a seamless digital economy in the region.