KL Declaration 2045: ASEAN’s road to becoming a global power

It emphasises on the concept of inclusivity and the need for effective implementation to achieve intra-ASEAN cooperation

by FARAH SOLHI

ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future, officially referred to as the Kuala Lumpur (KL) Declaration 2025, marks a significant milestone in the region’s collective ambitions. Replacing the earlier ASEAN 2025: Forging Ahead Together declaration, signals a bold move toward transforming ASEAN into a more unified, resilient, and globally influential bloc over the next two decades.

This year’s declaration — which comprises six documents — emphasises on the concept of inclusivity and the need for effective implementation to achieve intraASEAN cooperation.

The six documents are ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future; ASEAN Community Vision (ACV) 2045; ASEAN PoliticalSecurity Community Strategic Plan; ASEAN Economic Community Strategic Plan 20262030; ASEAN SocioCultural Community Strategic Plan and ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan.

According to the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) international law lecturer Assoc Prof Dr Mohd Yazid Zul Kepli, the 2025 Declaration marks a significant evolution in ASEAN’s strategic outlook by extending its vision to a 20year horizon. This shift, he noted, reflects a stronger and more sustained commitment to regional development and integration.

He added that the declaration outlines more ambitious objectives, including transforming ASEAN into the world’s fourth largest economy and prioritising digital transformation and sustain ability as central pillars.

“The declaration places a stronger emphasis on inclusivity, aiming to close development gaps and enhance social equity across member states. Unlike earlier frameworks, it also prioritises environmental sustainability and the need to adapt to rapid technological and geopolitical changes.

“Furthermore, the KL Declaration introduces concrete measures to strengthen ASEAN’s institutional capacity — especially the ASEAN Secretariat — and includes mechanisms for regular monitor ing and revision. This also marks a more inclusive approach by formally recognising the role of Timor-Leste as part of the ASEAN community,” he told The Malaysian Reserve (TMR).

In essence, the new declaration represents a shift from basic regional cooperation to a future-oriented agenda aimed at making ASEAN more resilient, competitive and united in facing global challenges.

However, this declaration alone is not enough, as ASEAN should continue to deepen its integration and gradually be more like the European Union (EU), Mohd Yazid added, noting the positive aspects of the EU model.

For example, ASEAN can adopt several practical measures, learning from EU, to strengthen its integration.

“It should reduce trade barriers by standardising customs procedures and lowering tariffs, similar to the EU’s single market system, which allows goods to move freely across borders.

“ASEAN can also promote labour mobility by recognising professional qualifications and easing visa rules for skilled work ers, just as the EU allows citizens to work and live in any member country.”

ASEAN can also promote labour mobility by easing visa rules for skilled workers (Bloomberg)

Mohd Yazid said in the digital world, ASEAN could adopt region-wide standards for data protection and cross-border digital payments, inspired by the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Digital Single Market strategy.

Additionally, ASEAN can strengthen cooperation in areas like climate change and public health by pooling resources and forming joint response mechanisms, as the EU has done with its civil protection and health agencies.

He said ASEAN could also look into investing in regional education programmes and language learning, similar to the EU’s Erasmus+ programme, which can build a stronger ASEAN identity and promote cross-border understanding.

These efforts would help ASEAN become more connected, efficient and united.

The new declaration marks a significant evolution from its 2015 predecessor, which focused on establishing the ASEAN community within three pillars: Political-security, economic and sociocultural.

Global Asia Consulting senior consultant Samirul Ariff Othman said KL Declaration 2045 builds upon this foundation to address contemporary challenges and future aspirations.

“The new declaration also prioritises inclusivity, aiming to benefit the 700 million citizens of ASEAN through improved employment opportunities, quality jobs and mobility of skilled labour.

“It explicitly acknowledges the need to navigate geopolitical tensions, technological shifts, climate change and demographic variations,” he said.

He added that the declaration’s emphasis on unity and centrality recognises the need for a more formidable and cohesive bloc to effectively address regional and global challenges.

KL Declaration 2045’s focus on enhancing institutional capacity, promoting sustainable development and fostering a shared ASEAN identity underscores the bloc’s commitment to deeper integration and collective action.

Samirul Ariff sees this approach as essential for ASEAN to maintain its relevance and effectiveness in an increasingly complex global landscape.

“The declaration represents a strategic shift for ASEAN, moving from foundational community-building efforts to a more proactive and integrated approach.

“By setting a long-term vision, strengthening institutional frameworks and emphasising inclusivity, ASEAN aims to position itself as a resilient and dynamic regional bloc capable of navigating future challenges and opportunities,” he said.

Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research senior fellow Dr Azmi Hassan said the declaration sends a subtle message from Malaysia, the current ASEAN chairman, signalling its intention to set the tone for building the bloc into a formidable force in the future.

“The implicit message is for ASEAN to be more central, meaning that ASEAN should engage more with the world beyond its region, so the bloc gains greater global respect,” he told TMR.

Another strategy to achieve this formidability is for ASEAN to remain independent of influence from any superpowers.

For instance, tensions in the South China Sea have divided ASEAN into three blocs: One aligned with China, one with other states and one remaining neutral. This division could hinder the bloc’s ability to reach a unified consensus on such issues.

“So maybe, within these two particular strategies, by 2045 at least, ASEAN may be well respected globally as an organisation.”

Meanwhile, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Centre for Media and Information Warfare Studies Psychological Operations fellow Dr Noor Nirwandy Mat Noordin said the declaration’s emphasis on inclu

sivity would move ASEAN towards becoming a more cohesive bloc in regional cooperation on political security, economic community and geopolitical stability.

KL Declaration 2045 also aims to broaden representation and enhance cooperation among member countries, particularly in digitalisation.

“The bloc can move together as an organisation in the coming decades to ensure their political security and economic stability are in line with ASEAN aspirations. This would enhance ASEAN cooperation, extending beyond previous commitments.

“The declaration shows that ASEAN does not only have to be a follower but an act as an intermediary for the Global South, as demonstrated by Prime Minister (PM) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim through his visit to the US and his role as ASEAN chair this year. He essentially took on the role of intermediary for ASEAN,” he said.

Noor Nirwandy said the declaration can boost the bloc’s status as a global powerhouse.

As a bloc, ASEAN must seize opportunities at hand by strengthening intra-ASEAN cooperation and expand its capabilities to practice inclusivity especially in economic, digitalisation and cyber security cooperation.

The declaration reaffirms ASEAN’s commitment to unity and stability, serving as a comprehensive agreement that outlines a strategic blueprint for the region’s growth and integration over the next two decades.

The key pillars of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 are political security, economic development, socio-cultural progress, connectivity and institutional capacity, each promoting inclusivity, resilience and regional-strength.

It was inked at the recent 46th ASEAN Summit held at KL Convention Centre on May 26 and 27. Apart from the ASEAN Summit, Malaysia, as the chair, also hosted the 2nd ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and the inaugural ASEAN-GCC-China Summit.