
ACC endorses Asean Community Vision 2045 ahead of Summit
KUALA LUMPUR: The Asean Coordinating Council (ACC) has agreed to forward the Asean Community Vision 2045 document to its leaders for adoption at the 46th Asean Summit tomorrow.
This was one of the key outcomes of the ACC meeting chaired by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan today.
Wisma Putra said this marked the final ministerial-level meeting in preparation for the summit tomorrow.
"The meeting served as an important platform for reviewing Asean's progress under the Asean 2025 Vision and aligning collective priorities toward 'Asean 2045: Our Shared Future'.
"Foreign ministers exchanged views on the status of key documents and reports to be submitted to Asean leaders and reviewed developments related to Timor-Leste's full membership process.
"A key outcome of the meeting was the endorsement of the final report of the High-Level Task Force on the Asean Community Vision 2045.
"The council agreed to forward the vision document to Asean leaders for adoption at the summit," it said in a statement.
It said Mohamad also conveyed appreciation to member states, the co-chairs of the high-level task force, and the Asean secretariat for their contributions in shaping a forward-looking vision for the region.
The meeting also took note of five substantive reports and endorsed six reports for submission to the leaders.
The Kuala Lumpur Declaration on Asean 2045 is scheduled to be signed tomorrow, marking a strategic milestone that will guide Asean's next phase of community-building and regional leadership.
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The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
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Malaysia Sun
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Malaysia Sun
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ASEAN INTEGRATION PROGRESSING STEADILY ASEAN's economic integration has been advancing gradually, with a strong emphasis on consensus and free trade, experts say. "ASEAN's economic integration has progressed steadily rather than hastily, grounded in a consistent commitment to free trade," said Mohd Munir. According to him, ASEAN's journey began with the ASEAN Free Trade Area in 1992, followed by the launch of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC). The process is now guided by the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on ASEAN 2045, adopted at the 46th ASEAN Summit in May. "There is a lot happening. Not fast enough or optimally, but in a clear direction," he noted, adding that ASEAN has progressed based on consensus to deepen integration and free trade. Li Yuqing, assistant professor of Institute for International and Area Studies of Tsinghua University, said ASEAN's updates to the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement enhance regional trade and deepen integration, supporting its goal of becoming the world's fourth-largest economy. "Above all, ASEAN is a peaceful region, which makes it a conducive location for foreign direct investment and business ventures that can come from across the globe," Mohd Afzanizam said, highlighting initiatives such as the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone as evidence of strengthening regional ties. INSTITUTIONAL REFORMS, STRATEGIC CLARITY NEEDED Despite progress, experts pointed out that ASEAN faces institutional limitations. Mohd Munir said the bloc's decision-making structure remains slow, and the secretariat is under-resourced, despite the ASEAN 2045 vision calling for strengthening. "The point ASEAN must realize is that there is an urgent need to develop its strategic options in a changing world. It has taken a slow and steady course on increasing intra-regional trade, labor mobility and institutional implementation, emphasizing always on consensus," he said. "But there are now big issues for decision-making that cannot follow that route." Mohd Afzanizam warned that non-tariff barriers remain a key obstacle, as member states often act to protect their domestic industries. "Continuous dialogue, both government-to-government and government-to-business, is vital to identify and bridge these gaps," he said. Oh echoed those concerns, urging ASEAN to address internal development disparities. "ASEAN should focus on eradicating the abject poverty amongst itself for the least developed member states, and escaping the middle-income trap for the developing member states," he added. CHINA TIES OFFER CHANCE FOR COOPERATION Experts believe ASEAN-China relations are entering a new phase, driven by growing investment and strategic collaboration. Mohd Munir noted that ASEAN-China relations have been close in trade and, increasingly, in investment. In the context of global trade tensions, it would be good to deepen that relationship for mutual benefit. "For China, ASEAN's economic integration provides a relatively stable regional trade environment, helping China manage external trade risks and enhance economic resilience and stability," Li mentioned. She also noted that integration makes ASEAN's investment environment more stable and transparent, enabling businesses to better access the ASEAN market and achieve more efficient resource allocation. ASEAN countries may deepen cooperation with China in infrastructure development, which would accelerate progress in the digital economy and green transition, Oh suggested. GREATER INFLUENCE AMID UNCERTAINTY Regardless of whether ASEAN becomes the fourth-largest economy, its current size already warrants greater global influence, as the bloc is urged to exercise its weight in global affairs. "ASEAN needs to be less reticent about asserting its influence and initiating new ideas in a world marked by global disorder," he added. "Deeper ASEAN economic integration would strengthen the bloc's bargaining power," Li said, adding that it would enhance its role as a regional coordinator and allow it to play a more significant role. Mohd Afzanizam said that the shift toward a multipolar world provides more platforms for diplomatic solutions rather than unilateral decisions, especially from a single superpower, which can be disruptive. "This should resonate well with ASEAN as the region has always been peaceful. Certainly, ASEAN would want to advocate this at the global arena which is a universally accepted value," he added.