The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) marked the 50th anniversary of its foundational peace pact, the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), on February 24, 2026. The treaty was first signed in 1976 by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand to promote peace, respect for sovereignty, non-interference, and peaceful settlement of disputes.
For five decades, the TAC helped keep large-scale conflict between ASEAN members at bay and became a key piece of the region’s diplomatic architecture. Its core principles of non-interference and the peaceful settlement of disputes have underpinned cooperation among diverse political systems and laid the groundwork for economic growth, trade, and investment across Southeast Asia.
Today, 58 countries have acceded to the treaty, including nations outside Southeast Asia, reflecting its global reach as a symbol of regional stability.
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