THE 46th ASEAN Summit, which runs for two days beginning today, serves as the main platform for ASEAN leaders to review the region’s progress in its three key pillars — political-security, economic and socio-cultural.
The Malaysian Prime Minister’s senior press secretary, Tunku Nashrul Abaidah, said the summit is also a key forum for discussing increasingly complex regional and global issues, including the South China Sea dispute, the humanitarian crises in Gaza and Myanmar, unilateral trade tariffs by major powers, the challenges of the digital economy and supply chain resilience.
“The Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) has consistently emphasised that under this year’s ASEAN Chairmanship, Malaysia bears a significant responsibility in shaping a stronger, and more inclusive and resilient ASEAN Community.
“Malaysia’s main focus is to ensure that ASEAN remains relevant, responsive and people-centred, in line with the ASEAN 2045 long-term vision that will be launched,” he said.
He was speaking at a Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) briefing held in conjunction with the 46th ASEAN Summit, which was broadcast live on the Anwar Ibrahim and PMO Malaysia Facebook pages today.
In addition to the summit with ASEAN member states, Tunku Nashrul said Malaysia will also host the 2nd ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and the inaugural ASEAN-GCC-China Summit, both scheduled to take place tomorrow and chaired by Malaysia as the ASEAN 2025 Chair.
He said the ASEAN-GCC Summit will review the implementation of the ASEAN-GCC Framework of Cooperation 2024–2028, which includes initiatives in free trade, education, sustainable development, and cultural and digital connectivity.
“The second ASEAN-GCC Summit also reaffirms the long-term commitment between the two regions, which have maintained relations since 1990.
“ASEAN and the GCC are two significant economic blocs, with total trade reaching USD130.7 billion and GCC investments in ASEAN amounting to USD390.2 million,” he said.
Touching on the agenda for the first day of the 46th ASEAN Summit, Tunku Nashrul said today’s sessions feature a series of key meetings involving the Prime Minister, ASEAN leaders and representatives from various sectors. –BERNAMA
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