Guidelines on the Modalities for Engagement of ASEAN with High Contracting Parties under the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia

I. Background

1. The Guidelines on the Modalities for Engagement of ASEAN with High Contracting Parties (HCPs) under the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) is proposed to establish modalities of engagement aimed at deepening cooperation with HCPs that do not yet maintain formal partnerships with ASEAN1, with the TAC serving as the foundational basis for such engagement. The Guidelines seek to provide structured but flexible modalities for engagement between ASEAN and such HCPs, consistent with the principles and purposes of the TAC, the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), and the ASEAN Charter.
2. As of February 2026, there are 58 HCPs to the TAC, 47 of whom are non-ASEAN countries and an organisation. While 24 ASEAN formal partners are also HCPs to the TAC, it is important to note that two ASEAN formal partners are not HCPs to the TAC3.

Download the full Guidelines here