List of Regional Blocs in Asia, Their Mandates, and Headquarters

1.  Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)

1. 1. The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation is a regional bloc formed by 21 countries namely;
      1. 1. China
         2. Hong Kong
         3. Indonesia
         4. Japan
         5. Republic of Korea (South Korea)
         6. Malaysia
         7. The United States of America
         8. Canada
         9. Mexico
         10. Australia
         11. Brunei Darussalam
         12. Chile
         13. New Zealand
         14. Papua New Guinea
         15. Peru
         16. The Philippines
         17. Russia
         18. Singapore
         19. Taipei
         20. Thailand
         21. Vietnam
   2. APEC aims to secure growth and accelerate regional economic integration for the greater prosperity of the region’s population.
   3. This is because the nations came together informed by their high interdependence in Asia-Pacific trade.
   4. The APEC headquarters/secretariat is based in Singapore.

Also read: List of Regional Blocs in Africa, Their Mandates, and Headquarters

2. Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

1. 1. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is one of the most important trade blocs in Asia.
   2. It enjoys the support and membership of 10 Asian countries namely;
      1. 1. Singapore
         2. Thailand
         3. Vietnam
         4. Brunei
         5. Cambodia
         6. Indonesia
         7. Laos
         8. Malaysia
         9. Myanmar
         10. The Philippines
   3. ASEAN has the following mandate;
      1. 1. Promoting economic and security cooperation among its Member States.
         2. It seeks to bridge the sharp balances between its member states with some being extremely poor than others.
   4. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations is also intervening in regional security concerns such as the Myanmar military takeover, as well as China’s interest in the South China Sea.

Also read: List of Regional Blocs in Latin America, Their Mandates, and Headquarters

3. Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)

1. 1. 15 Asian countries struck a deal to form the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in 2020.
   2. It became the largest trade bloc worldwide with its members jointly making up a third of the global economy.
   3. The RCEP Member States are;
      1. 1. South Korea
         2. China
         3. Japan
         4. Australia
         5. New Zealand
         6.  Brunei
         7. Cambodia
         8. Indonesia
         9. Laos
         10. Malaysia
         11. Myanmar
         12. The Philippines
         13. Singapore
         14. Thailand
         15. Vietnam
   4. The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership has the following mandate;
      1. 1. 1. Methodically eliminating tariff and non-tariff barriers in the process of establishing a free trade area among Member States.
            2. Safeguarding intellectual property in telecommunications, finance, and e-commerce among other business sectors.
   5. The RCEP headquarters are in Hanoi, Vietnam.