<P> The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN / ˈɑːsi. ɑː n / AH - see - ahn, / ˈɑːzi. ɑː n / AH - zee - ahn) is a regional intergovernmental organisation comprising ten Southeast Asian states which promotes Pan-Asianism and intergovernmental cooperation and facilitates economic, political, security, military, educational and socio - cultural integration amongst its members and Asian states . Since its formation on 8 August 1967 by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, the organisation's membership has expanded to include Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam . Its principal aims include accelerating economic growth, social progress, and sociocultural evolution among its members, alongside the protection of regional stability and the provision of a mechanism for member countries to resolve differences peacefully . ASEAN is an official United Nations Observer, as well as an active global partner . Communication by members across nations takes place in English . </P> <P> ASEAN covers a land area of 4.4 million square kilometres, 3% of the total land area of Earth . ASEAN territorial waters cover an area about three times larger than its land counterpart, making it particularly important in terms of sea lanes and fisheries . Member countries have a combined population of approximately 640 million people, 8.8% of the world's population, more than EU28, though in terms of land, a bit smaller . In 2015, the organisation's combined nominal GDP had grown to more than USD $2.8 trillion . If ASEAN were a single entity, it would rank as the sixth largest economy in the world, behind the USA, China, Japan, France and Germany . ASEAN shares land borders with India, China, Bangladesh, East Timor and Papua New Guinea, and maritime borders with India, China, Palau and Australia . Both East Timor and Papua New Guinea are backed by certain ASEAN members for their membership in the organisation . </P> <P> ASEAN has established itself as a platform for Asian integrations and cooperations, working with other Asian nations to promote unity, prosperity, development and sustainability of the region, as well as working on solutions to resolve disputes and problems in the region . While mainly focusing on the Asia - Pacific nations, ASEAN also established communications with other parts of the world, to better promote world peace and stability . The organisation has a global reputation of promoting goodwill and diplomacy among nations, shutting out any opinion or decision considered biased while carrying the principle of non-interference and mutual respect . </P> <P> Due to its global influence and regional success, ASEAN has been credited as one of the world's most successful and influential organisations, and an "emerging powerhouse". The organisation received high praises from world leaders and international community, and is dubbed as the centrality in the political, economic, security and socio - cultural architecture of Asia - Pacific . It is lauded as the "best - established intergovernmental institution in Asia" while achieving high approval ratings in its own region . Throughout history, ASEAN has formed a global network of alliance, cooperation and dialogues among countries and sub-regional, regional and international organisations and institutions, solidifying itself as one of the biggest players on the international stage . </P>

One of the goals of the association of southeast asian nations was