The ASEAN Concord of 1976 continued to serve as a concrete foundation for ASEAN cooperation in achieving its ultimate goals as enshrined in the Bangkok Declaration of 1967. ASEAN's stride forward in all fields of cooperation, specially in the economic, science and technology and social and cultural areas of development is manifested in the successful completion of numerous plans of action, the consolidation of various existing programmes and the launching of several new projects. Through its increasingly close cooperation with the dialogue partners, fresh commitments were made to provide financial and technical assistance to ASEAN in various fields of cooperation. These achievements were the result of the cohesiveness and concerted efforts of the various ASEAN organs.
The bulk of ASEAN cooperative activities were carried out by the eight main Technical Committees which were supported by 9 Sub- Committees, 73 Expert/Working Groups as well as private sector organizations. Over 260 meetings/ project activities took place during the year. These activities further strengthened intra-ASEAN cooperation and enhanced ASEAN relations with the dialogue partners.
The important achievements of the various committees and ASEAN dialogues with third countries are discussed in the following sections:
a. ASEAN Economic Committees
1. Committees on Finance and Banking (COFAB)
2. Committee on. Food, Agriculture and Forestry (COFAF)
3. Committee on Industry, Minerals and Energy (COIME)
4. Committee on Transportation and Communication (COTAC)
5. Committee on Trade and Tourism (COTT)
