ASEAN boosting efforts for regional connectivity, economic integration: Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 23:

ASEAN (Association of South East Asians) is stepping up efforts to bolster economic integration and strengthen regional connectivity, with a renewed focus on turning its long-term plans into tangible action, Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said today.

Speaking ahead of the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Hasan said that over 80 key initiatives and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) are expected to be discussed and announced during the summit – reflecting the bloc’s commitment to advancing the goals outlined in the ASEAN Vision 2045.

Malaysia, which will be holding the reins on the bloc’s chairmanship this year, will be hosting the summit under the theme ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability,’ from Oct 26-28 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

The event is expected to be one of the largest in ASEAN’s history, serving as a crucial platform for leaders to strengthen regional cooperation and address shared global challenges in a united, forward-looking manner.

“The key priority for ASEAN is ensuring that this vision for 2045 is realised. Malaysia will serve as the permanent shepherd of this agenda to make sure the ASEAN Community 2045 plan is implemented in phases,” he told reporters during a visit to the summit’s media centre.

As part of its economic agenda, ASEAN plans to strengthen its trade framework with China through the upcoming ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (FTA) 3.0, which aims to modernise existing mechanisms and promote greater market synergy across the region.

“We want to streamline trade and investment between China and ASEAN member states. Competing against one another only weakens us – we must speak with one voice and offer similar incentives so ASEAN can project a stronger presence and influence globally,” Hasan said.

Describing the upcoming summit, Hasan remarked that the ASEAN Vision 2045 is guided by the principle of ‘One Vision, One Identity, One Community,’ with inclusivity and sustainability being key, and noted that while the lingering disparities between member economies continue to pose a challenge, ASEAN is steadily moving toward greater unity and balance.

“Before we can speak with one voice, we must first bring everyone to the same level – not economically, but in terms of inclusivity and sustainability. That is our theme this year,” he said.

In line with the theme of inclusivity, this summit will mark a historic moment in the South-East Asian bloc, due to formal admission of the Timor-Leste as ASEAN’s 11th member.

The Malaysian FM described it as a vital milestone moment, giving further impetus to $4.16 trillion group’s continued drive for expansion and inclusiveness.

“ASEAN was originally established as a political alliance to resist external dominance, but today it has evolved into a platform for deeper economic cooperation,” he added.

This marks the fifth time Malaysia has chaired ASEAN since the bloc’s founding in 1967, following previous terms in 1977, 1997, 2005, and 2015. The Philippines will assume the chairmanship in 2026.

(UNI)

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