Association of Southeast Asian Nations
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN AH-see-ahn, AH-zee-ahn) is a political and economic organisation of ten Southeast Asian countries. It was formed on August 8th, 1967 by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. Since then, membership has expanded to include Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar (Burma), and Vietnam. Its aims include accelerating economic growth, social progress, and sociocultural evolution among its members, alongside protection of regional stability as well as providing a mechanism for member countries to resolve differences peacefully.