when was asean established and how many members were there at the beginning
Association of Southeast Asian Nations The Association of Southeast Asian Nations[12] (ASEAN /ˈɑːsi.ɑːn/ AH-see-ahn,[13] /ˈɑːzi.ɑːn/ AH-zee-ahn)[14][15] is a regional intergovernmental organisation comprising ten Southeast Asian countries which promotes Pan-Asianism and intergovernmental cooperation and facilitates economic, political, security, military, educational and socio-cultural integration amongst its members and other Asian countries, and globally. Since its formation on 8 August 1967 by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand,[16] 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.[17][18] ASEAN is an official United Nations observer, as well as an active global partner. It also maintains a global network of alliances, and is involved in numerous international affairs.[19][20][21][22] Communication by member states takes place in English.