Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
ASEAN is a regional organisation of 11 South-East Asian countries, founded in Bangkok on 8 August 1967. Under the ASEAN Charter, the ASEAN Summit of heads of state or government is the supreme policy-making body, and decisions are based on consultation and consensus. The Secretariat in Jakarta is funded by equal annual contributions from every member.
Who leads it
- Secretary-General of ASEAN: Dr Kao Kim Hourn (January 2023) (asean.org)
The UK and the ASEAN
The UK is not a member. ASEAN says the UK became an ASEAN Dialogue Partner at the 54th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting on 2 August 2021.
Key figures
| Figure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Member states (October 2026) | 11 | ASEAN Secretariat, read 16 October 2026 |
| Newest member (2025) | Timor-Leste, joined 26 October 2025 | ASEAN Secretariat, read 16 October 2026 |
| ASEAN-UK two-way merchandise trade (2025) | US$45.01 billion (preliminary) | ASEAN Secretariat, read 20 October 2026 |
| FDI from the UK to ASEAN (2025) | US$9.2 billion (preliminary) | ASEAN Secretariat, read 20 October 2026 |
| UK's rank among ASEAN trading partners (2025) | 11th largest trading partner; 6th largest source of FDI | ASEAN Secretariat, read 20 October 2026 |
| ASEAN Charter in force (2008) | 15 December 2008 | ASEAN Secretariat, read 20 October 2026 |
| Secretary-General's term (Current (ASEAN Charter Article 11)) | Five years, non-renewable, rotating alphabetically among members | ASEAN Secretariat, read 20 October 2026 |
What it decides
- The ASEAN Summit, of heads of state or government, is ASEAN's supreme policy-making body and takes decisions on key issues (ASEAN Charter, Article 7).
- Decision-making is based on consultation and consensus; where consensus cannot be reached, the Summit may decide how a decision is made (Article 20).
- The Secretariat's operating budget is met by equal annual contributions from all members (Article 30).
- The Secretary-General is appointed by the Summit for a single five-year term (Article 11).
- The chairmanship rotates each year in alphabetical order; the chair country chairs the Summit and related meetings (Article 31).
Records you can check
- ASEAN Charter (full text)ASEAN's legally binding founding charter
- Overview of ASEAN-UK Dialogue Relations (May 2026)ASEAN's own record of UK cooperation, trade and investment figures
- ASEAN Summit documentsChairman's statements and documents adopted by leaders at each Summit
Common questions
How many countries are in ASEAN?
11. ASEAN says Timor-Leste joined on 26 October 2025, making 11 member states.
Is the UK part of ASEAN?
No. ASEAN says the UK became a Dialogue Partner on 2 August 2021.
How does ASEAN make decisions?
Article 20 of the ASEAN Charter says decision-making is based on consultation and consensus.
How much does the UK trade with ASEAN?
ASEAN's preliminary figures put two-way goods trade with the UK at US$45.01 billion in 2025, making the UK ASEAN's 11th-largest trading partner.
Who is the ASEAN Secretary-General?
Dr Kao Kim Hourn, ASEAN's 15th Secretary-General, who took office in January 2023. ASEAN says he previously served in the Cambodian government.
Other bodies at level 7
- African Union
- Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights
- European Central Bank
- European Court of Human Rights
- European Union (incl. Parliament, Commission, Council)
- Gulf Cooperation Council
- Mercosur
- Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
Sources
- Member States - ASEAN, read 16 October 2026
- Secretary-General of ASEAN, read 20 October 2026
- ASEAN Charter - ASEAN, read 20 October 2026
- The ASEAN Charter (PDF), read 20 October 2026
- ASEAN Summit, read 20 October 2026
- External Relations - ASEAN, read 20 October 2026
- Overview of ASEAN-United Kingdom Dialogue Relations, May 2026, read 20 October 2026