ASEAN, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, is a regional organization of ten Southeast Asian countries that promotes economic, political, security, and socio-cultural cooperation. Founded on August 8, 1967, in Bangkok, Thailand, by five original member states—Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand—ASEAN has since expanded to include Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam. The organization serves as a key platform for dialogue and integration, aiming for peace and stability in the region