The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a political and economic organisation of ten countries located in Southeast Asia, which was formed on 8 August 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, sociocultural evolution among its members, protection of regional peace and stability, and opportunities for member countries to discuss differences peacefully.The ASEAN Secretariat is based in Jakarta, Indonesia. The Member States of ASEAN (Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam) have pledged to realise a people-oriented ASEAN Community by 2015. The Road Map for the ASEAN Community (2009-2015) sets out commitments which member States must strive to achieve by 2015. The ASEAN Secretariat seeks to facilitate the implementation of these commitments.@Association;Non Profit