Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN + 6)

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a regional grouping of the nations of Southeast Asia established in 1967 with 5 member states, later expanding to all 11 nations of the region. It aims to strengthen cooperation between member states in economic, social, cultural, and security matters. ASEAN is a major partner of organizations such as the EU and the UN, and its member states include some of the world’s fastest-growing economies.

Through dialogue and consensus-building, ASEAN promotes regional stability, economic integration, and sustainable development. The organization plays an important role in addressing shared challenges such as trade, environmental protection, disaster response, public health, and regional security. By encouraging peaceful cooperation and mutual respect among diverse political, cultural, and economic systems, ASEAN has become a key platform for fostering unity and long-term prosperity across Southeast Asia.

Topic 2026: Tackling Trafficking Networks and Labour Exploitation