Asean Community Vision 2045 charts path for resilience, inclusivity - sec-gen

New Straits Times

25-05-2025

KUALA LUMPUR: The Asean Community Vision (ACV) 2045, set to be adopted by regional leaders tomorrow, will serve as a bold yet pragmatic 20-year strategic roadmap to guide the region's development amid global uncertainties, said Asean Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn.
He said the new vision reflects Asean's commitment to long-term resilience, inclusivity, and continued cooperation with external partners.
"Ten years ago, under Malaysia's leadership, Asean leaders adopted the Asean Community Vision 2025.
"This year marks its 10th anniversary, and now, leaders are embarking on a 20-year vision, doubling the timeframe and ambition," he said during a pooled media interview here today.
Kao said the ACV 2045 is underpinned by four strategic plans covering the Political-Security Community, Economic Community, Socio-Cultural Community, and Asean Connectivity.
"It is not just a vision on paper. These four strategic plans are designed to guide Asean on how to prioritise its work while upholding unity, solidarity, and Asean centrality," he said, adding that the roadmap also recognises the need to work closely with external partners, including dialogue, sectoral, and global partners.
Kao said the ACV 2045 - or the Vision - takes into account both the challenges and opportunities presented by global megatrends and aims to provide a realistic and strategic response over the next two decades.
"This document is forward-looking and strategic, acknowledging the shifts in geopolitics, digitalisation, demographic change, climate risks, and other pressing issues. It provides clarity on how Asean should navigate its future," he said.
On Asean's increasing engagement with the the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and China, particularly through the upcoming Asean-GCC-China Summit, Kao said the trilateral framework opens the door for greater synergy and new opportunities for economic cooperation.
"Each region has its own strengths. Asean has always sought to consolidate existing partnerships while also identifying new areas where it can capitalise on shared interests," he said.
He said Asean sees great potential in enhancing cooperation with the GCC and China, and that this summit marks a key initiative in creating new opportunities through multilateral economic collaboration.
"There's still a lot of potential with the GCC. By bringing China into the framework, we are opening up a new space to build synergies and unlock mutually beneficial areas of cooperation.
"Asean is always looking ahead for what more can be done," Kao said.
Earlier, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the adoption of the Asean Community Vision 2045 marks the beginning of a collective endeavour for the future, reaffirming a shared commitment to a secure, peaceful, resilient, and people-centred Asean.
He described it as a bold ambition to transform Asean into a resilient, innovative, and people-oriented community, emphasising that it is not merely a ceremonial marker.
Malaysia, as Asean Chair for 2025 under the theme 'Inclusivity and Sustainability', will host the 46th Asean Summit, the 2nd Asean-GCC Summit, and the inaugural Asean-GCC-China Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on May 26 and 27.
– Bernama