While respecting the national law and regulation in AMS, the following guiding principles on the new mechanism aim to strengthen the effectiveness and timeliness of ASEAN Health Cooperation for the benefit to health of the people in ASEAN, in post 2015.

1. Accountability: using evidence-based approaches in setting health priorities and agreed upon common goals and targets which must be measureable, with the commitment in implementation by all parties, including strengthening health information system;
2. Leadership: pre-active delivery of AHMM policy leadership supported by a responsive SOMHD Mechanism
3. Operational and resource efficiency: effective use of scarce health resources, flexibility, transparency, good governance, maximize synergies, partnerships, and participation and avoid duplication with other relevant organizations and stakeholders;
4. Capacity building: enhancing active engagement in ASEAN Health Cooperation by the application of the principle of shared responsibility; and
5. Positioning ASEAN in Global Health: strengthen ASEAN’s role and image through active contributions to global health in various platforms and strengthening collaboration with other countries and development partners.