The Birth of ASEAN: The Significance of the Addition of the ASEAN Declaration as a UNESCO World Heritage Item

The recent UNESCO World Memory Register has seen many new unprecedented items, artworks, and historical, archived documents added as part of UNESCO’s World Heritage Items. Of those items added, one collection included none other than the ASEAN Declaration, also known at the same time as the Bangkok Declaration, drafted and signed on the 8th August, 1967. This collection added to the World Heritage list comprises 16 textual files, one photo, one film, three audio files and 12 oral history interview recordings, all of which are related to — and including — the ASEAN Declaration (Tangsathaporn, 2025), which is signified as the birth of ASEAN as we know it today. This collection was jointly submitted to UNESCO by Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.

These archived documents submitted are considered as the original recordings, which laid the foundation for continued relative peace and stability in Southeast Asia up until the present day.

The Birth of ASEAN and the Declaration

Prior to the signing of the declaration, the overall atmosphere among nations in the region was one based primarily on nationalism and individualism, eroding the prioritisation for regional cohesion and togetherness (ASEAN, n.d.). This very focus on nationalism, coupled with the emergence of new nation states, for this context being Malaysia, and the inclusion of Northern Borneo into the Federation of Malaya by the British, was what consequently bred conflicts among nations in the region; notably for the time being the Confrontation (Konfrontasi) conflict between Indonesia with Malaysia and Singapore (Omar, n.d.), as well as the dispute between Malaysia and the Philippines over the territory of Sabah, in Northern Borneo, both occurring at a similar timeframe.

                                     Thailand often played the mediating role to ensure there was relative peace in the region, particularly during the Confrontation campaign by Indonesia. In conjunction with ongoing peace negotiations and mediation efforts, there had already been notions floating about on creating an organisation among Southeast Asian states which encouraged regional cooperation and integration, which served as a framework and foundation for dialogue between nations (ASEAN, n.d.). As a matter of fact, there was an organisation of three Southeast Asian countries —Malaya, the Philippines and Thailand — formed in 1961 under the name of the Association of Southeast Asia (ASA). However, the Malaysia-Philippines dispute strained regional relations and revealed the challenges ASA faced in fostering deeper cohesion and securing broader participation from major regional players such as Indonesia (Singapore National Library Board, n.d.).This also came about at the same time as Indonesia’s Confrontation (Konfrontasi) campaign on the Federation of Malaya. Despite this, tensions eventually settled and diplomatic relations were restored. It was a matter of creating an even more cohesive organisation to ensure peace, maintain and enhance relations, and to build on even further in issuing solidarity among one another. (ASEAN, n.d.)

In turn, this then allowed spillovers to occur which naturally introduced the Southeast Asian nations to integrate and be part of this new organisation, allowing increased cooperation and striking conversation, and actions on collaborating in fields such as economic and social development, diplomacy, and social welfare.

With conflicts ending and mediations settled and diplomatic relations restored, leaders from Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand all joined together initially in the quiet seaside town of Bang Saen to discuss with goodwill on laying the foundations and the terms for the document which would hold immense significance for the region for generations to come. Following this came the penultimate moment for Southeast Asian history, with all five leaders — foreign ministers of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand — all travelled back to Bangkok to sign the document we know as the Bangkok Declaration, or more notably the ASEAN Declaration (ASEAN, n.d.).

Significance of this Addition

The addition of the ASEAN Declaration as a World Heritage Item by UNESCO showcases the significance of the declaration not just for the region of Southeast Asia, but it can also serve as a blueprint for frameworks in regards to regional cohesion, integration and most importantly, as a platform for peace and stability among nations. 

With the Indonesian-Malay conflict — Konfrontasi — winding down and with Thailand’s mediation efforts ironing out the friction between the two, as well as Singapore, this signified the efficacy of dialogue, and how regional cooperation was absolutely possible in ensuring, and in building a priority for peace and stability, despite the context Southeast Asia was in at the time. 

The coming together of regional leaders, and going a step further in agreeing to the declaration marked a turning point in transforming the region from one with a focus on nationalistic sentiments, and turning it into a region of peaceful coexistence, integration and continued dialogue. Despite this however, not all disputes ended. A short period after the signing of the declaration, the tensions between Malaysia and the Philippines over the territory of Sabah in North Borneo was reignited, leading to confrontation and a sharp deterioration in relations between the two nations (Kadir, 2024). Despite this, the ASEAN Declaration however, serves as a framework for easing of tensions, ensuring peace and finding both compromise and concessions from both sides in maintaining peace, or in alleviating friction among members. 

In addition to being a channel for dialogue in territorial disputes, the creation of the Association of Southeast Nations — coming as a result of the signing of the declaration — has also created a foundation for economic and social development, as well as on healthcare, increasing food production, tourism, a relaxation of travel restrictions, increasing information and communication exchange and education (Singapore National Library Board, n.d.). All of which have been achieved through concerted dialogue, cooperation and a continuous advancement in relations among all members, with the signing binding treaties, creation of frameworks, and organising frequent meetings on a yearly basis — though these summits were relatively rarer during the early years of establishment in the 1970s and 80s. All achievements so far — and beyond — have been possible with the cooperation among countries. Adam Malik, Presidium Minister for Political Affairs and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, also stated during his speech on Indonesia’s vision for Southeast Asia to become “a region which can stand on its own feet, strong enough to defend itself against any negative influence from outside the region” through solidarity and cooperation with one another (ASEAN, n.d.).

He added: “Differences of outlook among the member countries, but those differences, would be overcome through a maximum of goodwill and understanding, faith and realism. Hard work, patience and perseverance, he added, would also be necessary.”

All in all, the signing of the ASEAN Declaration, leading to the “birth” of ASEAN can be considered as the foundation to relative peace and stability, and continuous development in all areas for the wellbeing of life, rights and society in Southeast Asia today and throughout the past five decades.

Laying the Foundations for AUN

The ASEAN University Network (AUN) is a testament to the many of the achievements in both diplomacy and social development since the signing of the Bangkok Declaration, the formation of ASEAN, and the continuous branching out as a result of increased diversity in issues each member collaborates on — this case being higher education.

Spillovers and snowballing effects are what led up to a realisation on the need to enhance education as part of ASEAN’s competencies. During the 4th ASEAN Summit in 1992, regional leaders all demonstrated the desire to develop regional solidarity, and the connections among higher education institutions within ASEAN members. This continuous development, dialogue and cooperation, along with a strong commitment for ensuring educational development, became the basis for the establishment of the AUN, through the drafting and signing of the AUN Charter in 1995 to allow collaboration, networking and capacity building among universities and higher education institutions in the region. This continued demonstration for the desire to achieve development and enhancement to the quality of education is what has ensured consistent success of the ASEAN University Network today. All of which manifests the significance of the ASEAN Declaration.

References

ASEAN. (1967). The ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration). ASEAN Main Portal. https://agreement.asean.org/home/index/3.html

ASEAN. (n.d.). The Founding of ASEAN. Association of Southeast Asian Nations. https://asean.org/the-founding-of-asean/

Blanco, P. P. P. (n.d.). Signing of the ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration), Bangkok, Thailand, 1967. asean.org. https://asean.org/product/signing-of-the-asean-declaration-bangkok-decalration-bangkok-thailand-8-august-1967-2/ 

Film Archive Thailand (หอภาพยนตร์). (2015, August 8). พิธีลงนามและคําประกาศในแถลงการร่วมการก่อตั้งสมาคมประชาชาติเอเชียตะวันออกเฉียงใต้ [The Signing and Declaration on the Establishment of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations] [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CygtrfOEX2Q

Kadir, N. (2024). RESOLVING THE CONFLICTS BETWEEN THE PHILIPPINES AND MALAYSIA: MEDIATION ON THE SABAH DISPUTE AND ITS IMPACT ON SOCIO-ECONOMIC COOPERATION (1986-1998). Journal of International Studies, 20(2), 119-147.

Omar, M. (n.d.). Indonesia-Malaysia Confrontation. nlb. https://www.nlb.gov.sg/main/article-detail?cmsuuid=78909a3d-b4c3-4ee8-a1f3-9d3b56c00213

Singapore National Library Board. (n.d.). Formation of ASEAN. nlb. https://www.nlb.gov.sg/main/article-detail?cmsuuid=65bc5474-afba-4fcc-afc1-345457fa41a9

Tangsathaporn, P. (2025, April 19). UNESCO registers 3 Thai “Memory of the World” items. Bangkok Post. https://www.bangkokpost.com/life/arts-and-entertainment/3006461/unesco-registers-3-thai-memory-of-the-world-items