What is ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future?

1. The ASEAN 2045:

Our Shared Future is a new Vision for ASEAN that succeeds the ASEAN 2025: Forging Ahead Together which was adopted in 2015. It is a long-term strategic document that will chart the future direction of ASEAN in the next two decades. It articulates ASEAN’s aspiration towards realising a resilient, innovative, dynamic and people-centred ASEAN Community by 2045. It also envisions a developed ASEAN as the epicentre of growth in the Indo-Pacific region.

2. Essentially, the Vision serves as a roadmap to further strengthen regional community-building agenda, placing peoples at the heart of ASEAN’s efforts. It contains a broad strategic outlook that will guide ASEAN in addressing the impacts of existing and future megatrends and their inherent opportunities, while maintaining ASEAN Centrality. The Vision also seeks to elevate ASEAN’s position as an effective global player that can contribute positively and meaningfully to global development.

3. The ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future is a compendium of six (6) documents, namely:

3.1. The Kuala Lumpur Declaration on ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future;

3.2. ASEAN Community Vision 2045 “Resilient, Innovative, Dynamic, and People-Centred ASEAN”;

3.3. ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Strategic Plan;

3.4. ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Strategic Plan 2026-2030;

3.5. ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Strategic Plan;

and

3.6. ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan.
 

4. Each Strategic Plan contains Strategic Goals with their corresponding Strategic Measures, as follows:

4.1. APSC Strategic Plan (9 Strategic Goals with 178 Strategic Measures);

4.2. AEC Strategic Plan (6 Strategic Goals with 192 Strategic Measures);

4.3. ASCC Strategic Plan (12 Strategic Goals with 112 Strategic Measures); and

4.4. ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan (6 Strategic Goals with 49 Strategic Measures).

5. The Strategic Measures provided in each Strategic Plan shall be translated into specific workplans, programmes and activities by the relevant ASEAN Organs, Sectoral Bodies and Entities.

Why ASEAN adopts a 20-year Vision?

6. A 20-year Vision serves as a roadmap, providing a clear direction for strategic planning and decision-making. It helps to prioritise initiatives and allocate resources efficiently, ensuring that all the initiatives are coherent with future aspirations. A long-term Vision also provides a benchmark for assessing progress and encourages proactive thinking about potential challenges and opportunities.

7. ASEAN Community continues to be an evolving process. A 20-year Vision would provide ASEAN Member States with ample time and adaptability to align themselves with the goals as outlined in the Vision. Having a long-term Vision contributes to sustainable outcomes, ensuring long-lasting impacts for future generations.

8. The ASEAN Community Vision (ACV) 2045 and its Strategic Plans will have a mid-term review, including the possibility of ASEAN Member States proposing updates and changes as necessary in the periods in between to ensure that it is adaptive to the current and evolving opportunities and challenges.

What are the key elements of ASEAN Community Vision 2045

“Resilient, Innovative, Dynamic and People-CentredASEAN”?

9. The ACV 2045 comprises four (4) sections, summarised as follows:

9.1. Introduction

ASEAN shall remain a rules-based Community of nations, and that the peoples will be placed at the heart of the ASEAN community-building process. ASEAN also aspires to be a prosperous a single market with highly-skilled and inclusive workforce, productivity and innovation-driven growth, and incorporating sustainability across and along the value chain.

ASEAN also envision its place within an interconnected global community of nations with deeper connectivity and cohesiveness, while strengthening its centrality and institutions.

9.2. Challenges and Opportunities

ASEAN is mindful that the evolving global environment, as well as both the impacts and opportunities of existing and future megatrends, will continue to require effective and innovative responses. ASEAN also recognises that there is a need to strengthen ASEAN’s institutional capacity and effectiveness in order to consolidate further the ASEAN Community.

9.3. Our Future ASEAN

ASEAN shall realise a resilient, innovative dynamic and peoplecentred Community by 2045, where ASEAN is envisioned to be the epicentre of growth in the Indo-Pacific region.

This section is divided into six (6) elements of ASEAN cooperation namely political-security, economic, economic/socio-cultural, connectivity and institutional strengthening.
 

Political-Security:

9.3.1. A peaceful, stable and secure region based on the fundamental principles as enshrined in the ASEAN Charter, the UN Charter and international law, including international humanitarian law, subscribed to by ASEAN Member States.

9.3.2. A Community that sustains and reinforces its centrality through ASEAN-led mechanisms and other relevant platforms, leveraging its strengths in the peaceful conduct of relations among states, as well as in forging new and potential partnerships while ensuring substantive and mutually beneficial relations.

9.3.3. A Community that is able to project ASEAN position on regional and global issues.

9.3.4. An ASEAN that remains a primary driving force in shaping the regional architecture and contributes towards a rules-based international order amidst geopolitical tensions and rivalries.

9.3.5. An ASEAN that is a contributor to the maintenance of international peace and security through upholding the
rules-based multilateral system and international law.

9.3.6. A Southeast Asia that is a zone of peace, freedom and neutrality, and free of nuclear weapons and all other weapons of mass destruction.

9.3.7. An ASEAN with shared commitment to maintaining and promoting peace, security and stability in the region, as
well as to the peaceful resolution of disputes, including full respect for legal and diplomatic processes, without resorting to the threat or use of force, in accordance with the universally recognised principles of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

9.3.8. A Community that pursues the implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) through concrete projects and activities.

9.3.9. An inclusive and cohesive Community that respects political, social, religious, cultural, ethnic diversities, which upholds the principles of democracy, rule of law and good governance, and respects fundamental freedoms, promotes and protects human rights, and promotes social justice.

Economic:

9.3.10. A major player in the global economy and the fourth largest economy in the world; a single and future-ready
economy, anchored on sustainable growth and good governance, empowered by advanced technologies and responsive to emerging opportunities.

9.3.11. A nimble and resilient Community that is empowered in responding to future crises and long-term challenges.
We continue to narrow development gaps through relevant initiatives and promote inclusive, participatory, and equitable access to economic opportunities.

9.3.12. A more globally competitive and seamlessly integrated single market and production centre, with a significant
increase in intra-ASEAN trade and investment and enhanced global supply chain linkages, that harnesses its collective impact and influence as a major player in the global economy. We aspire for ASEAN to be the industrial and manufacturing hub of the Indo-Pacific with dynamic micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

9.3.13. An enterprising region as well as a hub and centre of excellence, that is able to leverage on advances in sciences, technology and innovation, and harness new sources of competitiveness, including creative economy and advanced industry, to elevate its economic integration agenda and create a thriving ecosystem.

9.3.14. A leading and connected Digital and Technological Community with open and interoperable, secure and trusted digital ecosystem, supported by advanced digital services that will harness its potential of digital transformation and bring the greatest benefits to ASEAN and its peoples.

9.3.15. A Community with strong and mutually beneficial economic relations with external partners anchored on agreements and other forms of cooperation that maintain ASEAN Centrality while generating value for stakeholders, including by bolstering innovation, sharing knowledge, building capacity, and strengthening sectoral cooperation.

9.3.16. A Community that is an integral part of the global supply chain, by streamlining downstream and upstream production process, strengthening distribution and logistics networks, as well as safeguarding access to raw materials to reach maximum efficiency and increase the production scale of value-added goods.

9.3.17. A Community that is economically and financially resilient, by among others, promoting the use of local currencies for cross-border transactions to reduce the region’s vulnerability to external volatility, enhancing disaster risk financing, and mitigating the risks/impact arising from climate change and environmental degradation.

Economic/Socio-Cultural:

9.3.18. A green ASEAN that will be achieved through sustainable growth on land and in water, as we embrace the green economy and blue economy in the regional context, and strengthen ASEAN’s position in promoting sustainability and climate responses.

Socio-Cultural:

9.3.19. A Community that is people-centred, people-oriented, and interconnected with seamless movement of peoples, goods, and services with a shared ASEAN ownership and identity.

9.3.20. A caring Community that will ensure the full potential and improve the quality of life for its peoples that is participative, inclusive, sustainable, and promotes social cohesion, hereby ensuring shared prosperity, especially among vulnerable groups, and leaving no one behind.

9.3.21. A Community that is able to optimise its demographic bonus to, among others, make ASEAN the epicentre of growth and innovation through inclusive, comprehensive and transformative education in a conducive learning environment to develop a highly skilled and competitive labour force, and the creation of decent work and high quality jobs.

9.3.22. A healthy ASEAN populace, with higher life expectancy, well-being for all ages, safe from communicable and non-communicable diseases with Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and access to resilient healthcare architecture.

9.3.23. A Community where its peoples play an active role in all aspects of life through promotion of human security,
enhancing peoples’ resilience through public-private partnerships in line with ASEAN sustainability agenda.

9.3.24. A Community with a shared ASEAN identity that is adaptive and responsive to evolving national needs, as well as relevant regional and global issues.
 

9.3.25. A Community where women are empowered to participate fully and effectively in ASEAN Communitybuilding and realise their full potential in its decisionmaking processes.

9.3.26. A Community where youth can meaningfully contribute to the strengthening of a dynamic, innovative, resilient
ASEAN Community, and in addressing contemporary and emerging challenges, advancing sustainable socioeconomic development, and reinforcing ASEAN awareness, values and identity.

9.3.27. A Community that is proud of its identity and assumes ownership of the preservation, conservation and value
creation of its cultural heritage, arts and traditions while also promoting cultural industries.

9.3.28. A Community that advances sports to contribute towards the growth of ASEAN as a sporting hub for excellence to promote peace, inclusion, health, education and socioeconomic development.

Connectivity:

9.3.29. A seamlessly integrated Community with enhanced linkages within and between ASEAN Member States, connected through, among others, sustainable infrastructure, payments connectivity infrastructure, continuous digital innovation, enhanced cybersecurity, regulatory excellence, efficient and resilient logistics and supply chains, efficient cross-border flow of information, and greater people-to-people connectivity throughout the region. ASEAN will adopt a whole-of-Community approach to enhance ASEAN Connectivity by promoting synergies with key connectivity initiatives as well as other sub-regional and multilateral cooperation frameworks.

9.3.30. A Community capable of managing future urban growth by leveraging modern technologies, and innovative
infrastructure, as well as enhancing ASEAN smart and sustainable cities.

Institutional Strengthening:

9.3.31. A Community that is anchored on ASEAN Centrality with enhanced institutional capacity and effectiveness, with
ASEAN organs, bodies and mechanisms that are more decisive, responsive and timely as well as future-ready in addressing global and regional challenges, supported by a strengthened ASEAN Secretariat, with effective cross-sectoral and cross-pillar coordination, and sufficient ASEAN funding towards realising the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.

9.4. Our Commitment

In order to achieve the ACV 2045, ASEAN shall fully and effectively implement the commitment in the Vision and all its
Strategic Plans.

What new elements does ASEAN Community Vision 2045 introduce?

10. ACV 2045 essentially builds upon the progress of ongoing regional community-building efforts and the achievement of ACV 2025, while taking into account the rapidly evolving global environment. As a long-term strategic document, ACV 2045 represents a bold outlook of ASEAN in the future. The aspiration of a developed ASEAN as the epicentre of growth in the IndoPacific region connotes that ASEAN is in the position of strength to embrace the future with confidence and vigour.

11. ACV 2045 also reaffirms ASEAN’s aspiration of a people-centred Community, whereby ASEAN shall place its peoples at the heart the regional integration agenda and ensure their meaningful and inclusive participation in the process.
 

12. Against the changing global dynamics, ACV 2045 identifies various existing and future megatrends which present both challenges and opportunities for ASEAN as follows:

12.1. maintenance of peace, security and stability in the IndoPacific region including the South China Sea;

12.2. major power rivalries;

12.3. digitalisation and its impact of the future of work;

12.4. cybersecurity;

12.5. Artificial Intelligence;

12.6. rising protectionism and barriers to trade and investment;

12.7. supply chain resilience;

12.8. blue economy;

12.9. food, water and energy security;

12.10. poverty, widening development gaps and scarcity of funding;

12.11. natural disasters;

12.12. climate change, environmental degradation, biodiversity loss and transition to a green economy;

12.13. pandemics, communicable and non-communicable diseases;

12.14. increased world population, ageing societies and migration;

12.15. inclusion of vulnerable and marginalised groups;

12.16. empowerment of women and youth; and

12.17. ASEAN Connectivity.

13. The Vision also places a significant emphasis on the need to strengthen ASEAN institutional capacity and effectiveness. This include efforts to address increasing cross-pillar and crosssectoral issues, optimise work processes and mobilisation of resources, as well as strengthen the ASEAN Secretariat.

14. Below are some of the new elements that are introduced across the three pillars of ASEAN Community and ASEAN Connectivity.
 

Political-Security:

14.1. A Community that sustains and reinforces its centrality through ASEAN-led mechanisms, leveraging its strengths in the peaceful conduct of relations among states, as well as in forging new and potential partnerships (para. 12, ACV 2045);

14.2. A Community that is able to project ASEAN’s position on regional and global issues (para. 13, ACV 2045);

14.3. An ASEAN that is a contributor to the maintenance of international peace and security through upholding the rules-based multilateral system and international law (para. 15, ACV 2045); and

14.4. A Community that pursues the implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) through concrete projects and activities (para. 18, ACV 2045).

Economic:

14.5. A major player in the global economy and the fourth largest economy in the world; a single and future-ready economy, anchored on sustainable growth and good governance, empowered by advanced technologies and responsive to emerging opportunities (para. 20, ACV 2045);

14.6. A nimble and resilient Community that is empowered in responding to future crises and long-term challenges (para. 21, ACV 2045);

14.7. A more globally competitive and seamlessly integrated single market and production centre, with a significant increase in intra-ASEAN trade and investment and enhanced global supply chain linkages. ASEAN as the industrial and manufacturing hub of the Indo-Pacific with dynamic micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) (para. 22, ACV 2045);

14.8. An enterprising region as well as a hub and centre of excellence, that is able to leverage on advances in sciences, technology and innovation, and harness new sources of competitiveness, including creative economy and advanced industry, to elevate its economic integration agenda and create a thriving ecosystem (para. 23, ACV 2045);

14.9. A leading and connected Digital and Technological Community with open and interoperable, secure and trusted digital ecosystem, supported by advanced digital services that will harness its potential of digital transformation and bring the greatest benefits to ASEAN and its peoples (para. 24, ACV 2045);

14.10. A Community that is an integral part of the global supply chain, by streamlining downstream and upstream
production process, strengthening distribution and logistics networks, as well as safeguarding access to raw materials to reach maximum efficiency and increase the production scale of value-added goods (para. 26, ACV 2045); and

14.11. A Community that is economically and financially resilient, by among others, promoting the use of local currencies for cross-border transactions to reduce the region’s vulnerability to external volatility, enhancing disaster risk financing, and mitigating the risks/impact arising from climate change and environmental degradation (para. 27, ACV 2045).

Economic/Socio-Cultural:

14.12. A green ASEAN that will be achieved through sustainable growth on land and in water, as we embrace the green economy and blue economy in the regional context, and strengthen ASEAN’s position in promoting sustainability and climate responses (para. 28, ACV 2045).

Socio-Cultural:

14.13. A Community that is able to optimise its demographic bonus to, among others, make ASEAN the epicentre of
growth and innovation through inclusive, comprehensive and transformative education in a conducive learning environment to develop a highly skilled and competitive labour force, and the creation of decent work and high-quality jobs (para. 31, ACV 2045).

14.14. A healthy ASEAN populace, with higher life expectancy, well-being for all ages, safe from communicable and
non-communicable diseases with Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and access to resilient healthcare architecture. (para. 32, ACV 2045).

14.15. A Community where its peoples play an active role in all aspects of life through promotion of human security,
enhancing peoples’ resilience through public-private partnerships in line with ASEAN sustainability agenda. (para. 33, ACV 2045).

14.16. A Community where women are empowered to participate fully and effectively in ASEAN Communitybuilding and realise their full potential in its decisionmaking processes. (para. 35, ACV 2045).

14.17. A Community where youth can meaningfully contribute to the strengthening of a dynamic, innovative, resilient
ASEAN Community, and in addressing contemporary and emerging challenges, advancing sustainable socioeconomic development, and reinforcing ASEAN awareness, values and identity. (para. 36, ACV 2045).

14.18. A Community that is proud of its identity and assumes ownership of the preservation, conservation and value
creation of its cultural heritage, arts and traditions while also promoting cultural industries. (para. 37, ACV 2045); and

14.19. A Community that advances sports to contribute towards the growth of ASEAN as a sporting hub for excellence to promote peace, inclusion, health, education and socio-economic development. (para. 38, ACV 2045).

Connectivity:

14.20. A seamlessly integrated Community with enhanced linkages within and between ASEAN Member States,
connected through, among others, sustainable infrastructure, payments connectivity infrastructure, continuous digital innovation, enhanced cybersecurity, regulatory excellence, efficient and resilient logistics and supply chains, efficient cross-border flow of information, and greater people-to-people connectivity throughout the region (para. 36, ACV 2045); and

14.21. A Community capable of managing future urban growth by leveraging modern technologies, and innovative
infrastructure, as well as enhancing ASEAN smart and sustainable cities. (para. 37, ACV 2045).

Institutional Strengthening:

14.22. A Community that is anchored on ASEAN Centrality with enhanced institutional capacity and effectiveness, with
ASEAN organs, bodies and mechanisms that are more decisive, responsive and timely as well as future-read in addressing global and regional challenges, supported by a strengthened ASEAN Secretariat, with effective cross-sectoral and cross-pillar coordination, and sufficient ASEAN funding towards realising the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 (para. 38, ACV 2045).

What is Kuala Lumpur Declaration on ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future?

15. The Kuala Lumpur Declaration on ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future is a political document signed by the ASEAN Leaders during the 46th ASEAN Summit, held in Kuala Lumpur on 26 May 2025. In this Declaration, the Leaders, among others:

15.1. adopted the ACV 2045 along with all the Strategic Plans;

15.2. resolved that ASEAN Member States to implement, through ASEAN Organs and Bodies, the ACV 2045 and
its Strategic Plans, in a timely and effective manner, and ensure seamless coordination across pillars and sectors
of the identified cross-pillar and cross-sectoral strategic measures;

15.3. encouraged other relevant stakeholders to support and contribute to the implementation of the ACV 2045;

15.4. tasked the ASEAN Ministers and respective ASEAN Organs and Bodies, supported by the Secretary General of ASEAN and the ASEAN Secretariat, to mobilise resources from ASEAN Member States and external sources;

15.5. agreed to intensify efforts to enhance ASEAN's institutional capacity and effectiveness, and strengthen the ASEAN Secretariat, to advance the implementation of the ACV 2045;

15.6. tasked the ASEAN Ministers and respective ASEAN Organs and Bodies, supported by the SecretaryGeneral of ASEAN and the ASEAN Secretariat, to undertake communication activities to facilitate the implementation of the ACV 2045 and all Strategic Plans; and

15.7. tasked the Secretary-General of ASEAN to monitor and report on the progress of implementation of the ACV
2045 to the ASEAN Summit annually, through the ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC) and respective ASEAN Community Councils.

What does ASEAN Community Vision 2045 mean for ASEAN peoples?

16. For the ASEAN peoples, ACV 2045 means:

16.1. they will continue to live in a more peaceful, stable, and secure region;

16.2. they will be able to participate meaningfully in an inclusive and cohesive Community that respects political, social, religious, cultural, and ethnic diversities;

16.3. their human rights, fundamental freedoms, dignity and social justice will be promoted and protected;

16.4. they will be able to benefit from a prosperous ASEAN as a single market with highly-skilled and inclusive workforce, productivity and innovation-driven growth;

16.5. they will benefit from greater employment opportunities, quality jobs, and mobility of skilled labour and talents;

16.6. they will benefit from a thriving regional economic ecosystem including advances in sciences, technology and innovation;

16.7. they will benefit from a secure and trusted digital ecosystem, supported by advanced digital services;
 

16.8. they will benefit from sustainable growth which includes advances in green economy and blue economy;

16.9. they will enjoy increased economic opportunities, enhanced regional connectivity, ease of intra-ASEAN
travel and doing business as well as a resilient regional economy;

16.10. they will be able to benefit from the use of local currency for cross-border transactions;

16.11. they will be part of a participative and socially responsible community with equitable access to opportunities for all;

16.12. they will benefit from better access to a resilient healthcare architecture; and

16.13. the women, youth and children will benefit from greater participation in ASEAN decision-making process.

What opportunities does ASEAN Community Vision 2045 create for ASEAN’s external partners?

17. For ASEAN’s external partners, ACV 2045 means:

17.1. partnerships with a dynamic and resilient Community that is committed to and has the capacity to contribute to a peaceful, secure and stable region;

17.2. engaging a Community that wants to cooperate and collaborate with like-minded partners to promote regional peace and stability;

17.3. working with a Community that has the capacity and capability to respond effectively to existing and emerging hallenges in the region;
 

17.4. working with a Community committed to cooperation with like-minded external partners to address international issues of common concern such as climate change and the environment and enhancing sustainable development;

17.5. collaborating with a Community committed to working with external partners to strengthen cooperation in combating non-traditional security challenges through various initiatives and projects;

17.6. working with a Community that is able to effectively address new challenges with strengthened regional
mechanisms, including under the ambit of the AOIP;

17.7. acquiring opportunities for cooperation on regional defence and security matters;

17.8. working together to share best practices and successful case studies on engagement and integration policies
while recognising that the ASEAN Member States will continue to benefit from capacity building, resources and training provided by external partners;

17.9. benefiting mutually from increased economic, trade and investment activities; and

17.10. collaborating with a stronger, more visible and united ASEAN, with a greater role and voice in global economic
fora and increased contribution to global economic governance. - DagangNews.com