Amid escalating geopolitical uncertainty, economic fragmentation, and increasing global turmoil, ASEAN member states must unite and step up efforts to build a forward-looking Southeast Asia.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the region must uphold strategic autonomy and collective action to address emerging threats such as climate change, technological disruption, and intensifying polarization.
“In a world divided by conflict, our founders chose to build bridges and promote multilateralism. Today, we face new threats: climate change, disruptive technologies, and societies driven by political and economic polarization.
“In the geopolitical sphere, the shadow of great power competition looms heavily over our region. Protectionism threatens the open multilateral trade that underpins our development.
“Distant conflicts disrupt our markets, supply chains, and food security. These issues are crises for everyone, especially for us in the Global South. ASEAN must focus our strength and strive to build a comprehensive, forward-looking Southeast Asia.”
He said this in his opening speech at the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting today.
Mohamad Hasan said that 58 years ago, the Bangkok Declaration laid the foundation for ASEAN, a visionary step amid the era of nuclear tensions and proxy wars.
He emphasized that as Malaysia assumes the 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship, it will be guided by values of inclusivity and sustainability, in line with the recently adopted ASEAN Community Vision 2045, which aims to create a resilient, innovative, and people-centered region.
The 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting and related meetings are among Malaysia’s key agendas as the 2025 ASEAN Chair, held from the 8th to the 11th of this month. Around 1,500 delegates are expected to attend the four-day event comprising 24 ministerial meetings, including foreign ministers from ASEAN member countries, Timor-Leste, ASEAN Dialogue Partners, participants of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), Sectoral Dialogue Partners, and senior officials from the ASEAN Secretariat.