What is ASEAN? The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN for short, is an association that today consists of 10 Southeast Asian states. In 1967, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore founded ASEAN. The aim was to improve economic, political and social cooperation. And also to balance political conflicts between these countries that existed as a consequence of decolonization. During Cold War, ASEAN members wanted to contain the influence of communism in the region. Times changed. The two cities became new partners and in the second half of the 1990s, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia joined ASEAN. The collapse of the USSR, the founding of the World Trade Organization and a financial crisis in Asia prompted members to deepen their relations and adapt to the new situation. In the 2000s, free trade agreements were concluded with India, China, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. In the future, the entire region will be merged into one large free trade zone. Since 2001, the ASEAN Summit takes place annually. It is a meeting of the heads of state and government where current problems are discussed and solutions are worked out. In 2008, the ASEAN Charter came into force, giving the association the status of a legal person. Principles of non-intervention and consensual decision-taking remained unchanged by the Charter. Decisions are generally made by consensus. No member can be forced to something. As a result, the group rarely appears to be closed. Nowadays Today, ASEAN is based on three pillars. As a political and security community to ensure peace. As an economic community with a strong domestic market, and as a social and cultural community, including a common identity. Challenges and Solutions ASEAN faces a number of social and environmental challenges. Every such as Vietnam or the Philippines are particularly vulnerable to climate change and already feel its impact today. Problem Co-production Nevertheless, member states plan to meet the energy demand by making primarily use of climate-damaging coal. Indonesia plans to build 170 new coal-fired power plants by 2025. Myanmar invests in gigantic hydroelectric power plants and coal. Laos build stands on the Mekong. The result is that Vietnam loses water in the Mekong Delta. However, fossil fuels, for example, are not necessary to cover the lack of energy. Global energy sources ranging from biomass to solar energy and wind power have enormous potentials in the region. They too would promote the local economy and provide sustainable jobs. Problem the Haze Large areas of purchase reinforced are burnt down for palm oil plantations and cattle feed cultivation all over Indonesia. The smog of these fires covers large parts of Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia. Pollution continues even though in 2003 a smog agreement in the ASEAN came into force, which should reduce forest fires, environmental degradation and air pollution. As such problems cross borders, ASEAN must tackle them in a joint effort and think beyond borders. This can be done, for example, by taking up the suggestions made by CSOs, civil society organizations, aiming at installing a fourth pillar, the environmental pillar. It must ensure that the ecological limits are taken into account in the growth debate. Only in case civil societies inform transparently and get much more involved acting free from state repression, social and environmental justice can arise. Serve people rather than profit.