Anwar: ASEAN achieves key goals with stronger GCC and China ties

By AUFA MARDHIAH

PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has declared that the 46th ASEAN Summit had successfully met its goals, with leaders reaching a broad consensus on several major regional concerns.

Among the issues agreed upon were the Myanmar crisis, regional tariff frameworks, and joint project cooperation.

“All has been agreed upon,” he said at a press conference, signalling the end of the 46th ASEAN Summit on May 27.

Anwar attributed the summit’s outcome to the shared commitment and unity among ASEAN member states, as well as deeper engagement with external partners like the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and China.

“We achieved our objective and this is due to the support and the spirit of togetherness of ASEAN leaders,” he said.

He described the engagement with the GCC as the first substantial collaboration.

“The inaugural meeting in Riyadh was more a formality than the previous programme, but this time there were a series of sessions and discussions and a very detailed, elaborate joint statement,” he added.

Anwar also pointed to Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s participation in the summit, noting that talks with China went through some specific areas of collaboration.

Apart from that, he extended his appreciation to the Foreign, Economy, and Finance Ministries and enforcement agencies for their coordination and preparations, which contributed to the summit’s smooth execution.

The event reflected ASEAN’s ongoing pivot towards more robust external partnerships, while reinforcing the bloc’s dedication to regional peace and economic cohesion.

Malaysia is set to host the 47th ASEAN Summit from Oct 26 to 28, 2025. The upcoming meeting is expected to address key priorities such as Timor-Leste’s full membership, further progress on economic integration, responses to US tariff actions, and enhanced cooperation with dialogue partners, including through the ASEAN-China-GCC Summit.