MANILA, Philippines -- Thailand, the current head of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, is holding a regional competition to select a composition as the ASEAN Anthem for the 14th ASEAN Summit in December 2008.

The contest is open to all citizens of any ASEAN member-state, whose ASEAN national secretariat will receive all entries. The winning composition will receive $20,000.

Aiming to create a sense of ASEAN identity, community, closeness, and belongingness among the region's half a billion population, the song must follow these criteria: it must be original, in English, not more than one minute in length, and should reflect the dignity of a regional song, the region's "cooperation, solidarity, and whenever possible, ASEAN's diverse culture and religion."

Entries should be sent with score and sheet music (note and lyrics) with voice and musical instruments (preferably piano) recording submitted on CD.

Deadline of submission of entries is on September 20.

Interested participants shall submit their compositions to the Philippine National Secretariat of ASEAN with the following contact details: Office of ASEAN Affairs, Department of Foreign Affairs, 8th floor, DFA Building, 2330 Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City, with telephone numbers 834-4152/3164, and fax number 832-1667.

Thailand announced the contest after ASEAN leaders signed the ASEAN Charter on November 20 last year in Singapore; the Charter stipulates for an ASEAN Anthem.

ASEAN groups together Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.