(Kuala Lumpur, 26th) The 46th ASEAN Summit officially opens today, serving as an important platform for ASEAN leaders to review progress in the political-security, economic, and socio-cultural pillars of the region.
Prime Minister's Senior Press Secretary Tengku Nasru pointed out that the summit is also a major forum platform to discuss increasingly complex regional and global issues, including the South China Sea issue, the humanitarian crises in Gaza and Myanmar, major powers' unilateral trade tariffs, digital economy, and supply chain challenges.
"Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar frequently emphasizes that in serving as the rotating chair of ASEAN this year, Malaysia bears a significant responsibility to shape a stronger, inclusive, and resilient ASEAN community.
"Malaysia's focus is on ensuring ASEAN remains relevant, responsive, and people-centered, aligning with the forthcoming ASEAN 2045 long-term vision."
He said this during a live broadcast on Prime Minister Anwar and the Prime Minister's Office's Facebook page this morning.
Nasru mentioned that apart from the ASEAN Summit, our country will host the 2nd ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and the first ASEAN-GCC-China Summit tomorrow.
He said the ASEAN-GCC Summit will review the implementation of the ASEAN-GCC cooperation framework from 2024 to 2028, including initiatives in free trade, education, sustainable development, culture, and digital connectivity.
"The 2nd ASEAN-GCC Summit will also strengthen the commitment to long-term relations between the two regions, established since 1990.
"ASEAN and the GCC are two important economic entities, with bilateral trade amounting to $130.7 billion, and GCC investments in ASEAN reaching $390.2 million."
Regarding the arrangements for today's first day of the ASEAN Summit, he said that there will be many important meetings, attended by the Prime Minister, ASEAN leaders, and various representatives.
Key activities include plenary sessions and retreats providing space for in-depth discussions on regional challenges and the future agenda of ASEAN, and exchanges with the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), ASEAN youth representatives, and the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) to enhance the inclusiveness of the regional decision-making process.
In addition, the main highlight today includes the signing ceremony of the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on ASEAN 2025, with the Prime Minister delivering the keynote speech at the ceremony, followed by an ASEAN dinner.
Nasru pointed out that bilateral meetings with strategic partners such as Cambodia, Singapore, China, and Kuwait are also scheduled for today.
"Today marks an important moment for Malaysia as the chair of ASEAN in 2025. The Prime Minister's leadership will be in focus, affecting key decisions at this conference and showcasing Malaysia's commitment to regional inclusiveness, sustainability, and stability."
He said the 46th ASEAN Summit provides Malaysia with a platform to adjust the people-centered ASEAN community development agenda, aligning with the aspiration for a prosperous Malaysia.
"As the chair, Malaysia has the opportunity to strengthen regional diplomacy and economic cooperation, including collaboration with dialogue partners such as the GCC and China.
"Moreover, this large-scale conference can bring direct economic benefits to the domestic economy, particularly in tourism and hospitality industries, and offer business opportunities to local SMEs."
Prime Minister's Senior Press Secretary Tengku Nasru pointed out that the summit is also a major forum platform to discuss increasingly complex regional and global issues, including the South China Sea issue, the humanitarian crises in Gaza and Myanmar, major powers' unilateral trade tariffs, digital economy, and supply chain challenges.
"Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar frequently emphasizes that in serving as the rotating chair of ASEAN this year, Malaysia bears a significant responsibility to shape a stronger, inclusive, and resilient ASEAN community.
"Malaysia's focus is on ensuring ASEAN remains relevant, responsive, and people-centered, aligning with the forthcoming ASEAN 2045 long-term vision."
He said this during a live broadcast on Prime Minister Anwar and the Prime Minister's Office's Facebook page this morning.
Nasru mentioned that apart from the ASEAN Summit, our country will host the 2nd ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and the first ASEAN-GCC-China Summit tomorrow.
He said the ASEAN-GCC Summit will review the implementation of the ASEAN-GCC cooperation framework from 2024 to 2028, including initiatives in free trade, education, sustainable development, culture, and digital connectivity.
"The 2nd ASEAN-GCC Summit will also strengthen the commitment to long-term relations between the two regions, established since 1990.
"ASEAN and the GCC are two important economic entities, with bilateral trade amounting to $130.7 billion, and GCC investments in ASEAN reaching $390.2 million."
Regarding the arrangements for today's first day of the ASEAN Summit, he said that there will be many important meetings, attended by the Prime Minister, ASEAN leaders, and various representatives.
Key activities include plenary sessions and retreats providing space for in-depth discussions on regional challenges and the future agenda of ASEAN, and exchanges with the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), ASEAN youth representatives, and the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) to enhance the inclusiveness of the regional decision-making process.
In addition, the main highlight today includes the signing ceremony of the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on ASEAN 2025, with the Prime Minister delivering the keynote speech at the ceremony, followed by an ASEAN dinner.
Nasru pointed out that bilateral meetings with strategic partners such as Cambodia, Singapore, China, and Kuwait are also scheduled for today.
"Today marks an important moment for Malaysia as the chair of ASEAN in 2025. The Prime Minister's leadership will be in focus, affecting key decisions at this conference and showcasing Malaysia's commitment to regional inclusiveness, sustainability, and stability."
He said the 46th ASEAN Summit provides Malaysia with a platform to adjust the people-centered ASEAN community development agenda, aligning with the aspiration for a prosperous Malaysia.
"As the chair, Malaysia has the opportunity to strengthen regional diplomacy and economic cooperation, including collaboration with dialogue partners such as the GCC and China.
"Moreover, this large-scale conference can bring direct economic benefits to the domestic economy, particularly in tourism and hospitality industries, and offer business opportunities to local SMEs."