The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a regional organization made up of ten member states in Southeast Asia. However, there are several different synonyms for ASEAN that can be used interchangeably. One commonly used synonym is the Southeast Asian Nations (SEAN). Another is the Southeast Asian Association (SEAA). Additionally, some refer to it as the Association of Southeast Asia (ASA) or the Southeast Asia Nations Alliance (SENA). ASEAN is known for its efforts to promote economic growth, regional security and cultural cooperation in Southeast Asia.