The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a regional organisation established by the Governments of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philip-pines, Singapore and Thailand under the Bangkok Declaration signed by the Foreign Ministers of the ASEAN countries on 8 August 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand. ASEAN's aims and purposes are to promote cooperation in economic, social and cultural development and to promote peace and stability in the region. Since its formation fifteen years ago, ASEAN has grown into a cohesive regional grouping that has earned wide international recognition.

The policy making body of ASEAN is the Annual Meeting of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers, commonly referred to as the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting. It is convened annually in each of the five ASEAN capi-tals on a rotational basis in alphabetical order. The ASEAN Ministerial Meeting is responsible for the formulation of policy guidelines and coordination of all ASEAN activities. The Meeting also reviews all ASEAN decisions and hands down the approved policies and programmes to the Standing Committee and other concerned bodies for implementation.

Since 1967, Singapore has hosted two Ministerial Meetings, the Fifth ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in 1972 and the Tenth ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in 1977.

Singapore is host again for the Fifteenth ASEAN Ministerial Meeting to be held from 14-16 June 1982, The Meeting will be officially opened by the Prime Minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew on 14 June 1982.

A set of four stamps, 10c, 35c, 50с and 75c will be issued on 14 June 1982 to mark the 15th Anniversary of ASEAN and the 15th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting.