
Diplomatic delegations begin arriving in Kuala Lumpur for AMM
Among the early arrivals was Laos Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Phongsavanh Sisoulath, who landed at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) at 8.05pm on Sunday.
Myanmar Ministry of Foreign Affairs representative Kyaw Nyun Oo and Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Thailand Eksiri Pintaruchi were also among those who arrived.
Senior officials from several Asean countries, including the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei and Indonesia, also touched down on Sunday.
The 58th AMM and related meetings, to be held under Malaysia's 2025 Asean Chairmanship themed 'Inclusivity and Sustainability,' will feature 24 ministerial-level meetings, including sessions with Asean Dialogue Partners and Sectoral Dialogue Partners.
The event is expected to gather about 1,500 delegates, including foreign ministers from Asean member states, Timor-Leste, Asean Dialogue Partners, Asean Regional Forum (ARF) participating countries, Sectoral Dialogue Partners and senior officials from the Asean Secretariat.
Malaysia is hosting the AMM as part of its fifth Asean Chairmanship, having previously held the role in 1977, 1997, 2005 and 2015. - Bernama
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Malaysian Reserve
an hour ago
- Malaysian Reserve
ASEAN commends Malaysia for initiating ASEAN Year of Skills 2025 programme
By FARAH SOLHI ASEAN member states commend Malaysia for initiating the ASEAN Year of Skills 2025 (AYOS2025), a programme deemed as strategic effort to equip the ASEAN workforce with future-ready skills. In a joint communiqué, the bloc acknowledged AYOS2025 for its objective to assist and prepare the people of ASEAN with skills to adapt to changing labour markets and drive sustainable growth in workforce within the region. The programme is also a platform to exchange best practices and lessons learnt on ASEAN and regional skill standards, training curriculum, skills, assessment and certification. 'This aligned with ASEAN Guiding Principles for Quality Assurance and Recognition of Competency Certification Systems,' ASEAN ministers said in the joint statement. They also welcomed the ongoing efforts to expand Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven training and upskilling programmes for green jobs. This includes through the ASEAN Green Jobs Forum that will be held on Aug 27 and 28 this year in Malaysia. 'We have looked through the adoption of the ASEAN Ministerial Statement and Action Plan for Green Jobs Promotion in the Labour Sector. 'We supported the provision of technical assistance on AI training for ASEAN member states,' they said. The AYOS2025 is organised by the Human Resources Ministry together with its agencies and departments in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to spearhead training and skills initiatives. The bloc also commended the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) efforts in strengthening data-driven platforms and evidence-based decision making through their Database for Monitoring and Evaluation (ADME) System. The system, they said, supports strategic planning and the effective implementation of ASCC initiatives. The ministers acknowledged the ASCC Research and Development (R&D) Platforms Programmes contribution in promoting evidence-based policies and strengthening cross-sectoral decision-making. 'We welcome the launch of the ASCC R&D Platform on the Care Economy which will examine the valuation of care work and the development of sustainable care policies. 'We also welcome the substantive progress made in advancing the ASEAN Creative Economy, including the establishment of the ASEAN Creative Economy Sustainability Framework,' they said. This Framework, the communiqué said, provides guidance for the development of inclusive, resilient, and sustainable cultural and creative industries across the region. Meanwhile, the bloc emphasised the potential of cultural heritage to promote economic growth, social cohesion, cultural preservation and sustainability, and looked forward to the adoption of the Melaka Declaration on Cultural Heritage Value Creation. Moreover, the member states acknowledge the ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Information (AMRI) efforts in their ongoing development of Guidelines for Safe and Responsible Use of Social Media Platforms for ASEAN. 'We acknowledge AMRI's efforts in developing a successor Work Plan for Information and Media (2026-2035), and the ASEAN Communication Master Plan III (ACMP III) (2026-2030) to align with the ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future adopted in May 2025. 'We acknowledge their commitment to transform the media's role to strengthen ASEAN's cohesion and mutual understanding, and enhance cooperation in combating fake news and disinformation. 'In this regard, we welcome the adoption of the Bandar Seri Begawan Declaration to Reaffirm AMRI's Commitment to Strategic Progress in Media and Information.' On the issues related to migrants, the member states reaffirmed their commitment to protect and promote migrant workers' rights throughout the entire migration cycle. 'We recognise the significant impact of the migration and development nexus, on the livelihood and welfare of the present and future generations of the ASEAN Community. 'We acknowledged the need to address migration issues in order to achieve ASEAN goals,' they said.


New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
Malaysia could secure better US tariff terms before Aug 1, say economists
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia could still secure better tariff terms with the United States before the August 1 deadline, as US officials signal openness to negotiations despite ongoing concerns over trade imbalances, economists said. This follows comments by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who during his visit to the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) here made clear Washington's willingness to continue talks with Asean members including Malaysia to reach mutually beneficial trade deals. Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said Rubio appears to be trying to ease concerns about the US administration's tariff policies. From the US standpoint, he said, trade imbalances have taken a serious toll on their economy, which is why tariffs are the policy instrument they use to address these issues. "While tariffs remain the US government's tool of choice, Washington is open to discussions and negotiations. I suppose there is hope that a win-win solution can be achieved," he told Business Times. Nevertheless, he said Malaysia needs to address the specific concerns raised by the US. According to Afzanizam, the underlying objective behind the tariff push is likely aimed at gaining greater market access to Malaysia's economy. He noted that the US had flagged several non-tariff barriers in its US Trade Representative Report on Foreign Trade Practices released in March this year. Among the issues highlighted were Malaysia's halal certification processes, approved permits in the automotive sector and regulations governing foreign bank branches. "Perhaps by addressing these issues, Malaysia could secure some form of concession in the form of lower tariffs. So, something needs to go in order to gain something," he said. On the possible appearance of US President Donald Trump at the Asean Summit in October, Afzanizam said Malaysia and other Asean countries should be prepared for all eventualities, as Trump has a habit of making surprise announcements. Echoing the views, economist Dr Geoffrey Williams said Rubio has been very open and friendly during his visit to the AMM. He noted that Rubio made it clear the US is open to continuing negotiations with all Asean members to secure win-win trade deals. Williams added that Rubio also emphasised Asean's importance to the US not just in trade, but also strategically and in terms of long-term security cooperation. "This shows that the US is committed for the long run," he said. According to Williams, it is possible for Malaysia to secure better tariff terms before August 1, but that would require a change in approach. He believes Malaysia's current position - as stated by Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz - appears "very stubborn" and may make reaching a deal by August 1 more difficult. Williams also said a presidential appearance would help cement relations between the US and Asean while also serving as a highlight of Malaysia's Asean chairmanship this year. However, he noted that tariff issues could overshadow the summit unless a solid deal is reached beforehand. During the AMM this week, Rubio said the tariffs imposed by the US are part of a broader push to rebalance its economy globally. He explained that the move aligns with Trump's long-held view that global trade rules have put American workers and industries at a disadvantage. Rubio added that Southeast Asian countries would receive official letters regarding the tariffs "at some point," but noted that discussions could lead to "better" tariff rates. He stressed that the door for negotiations remains open, though markets require clarity, making it necessary to set a clear baseline starting August 1. Earlier this week, Trump announced that a 25 per cent import duty on Malaysian goods would take effect from August 1, citing the need to "protect domestic industries" from what he described as unfair trade practices. On April 2, Trump announced the retaliatory tariffs, where Malaysia was among the affected countries hit with 24 per cent, although enforcement was deferred by 90 days to allow time for negotiations.


New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
UTM leads education forward
Higher education can serve as Asean's greatest unifier and catalyst for sustainable progress. By bringing together diverse cultures, expertise and resources, universities lay the groundwork for regional cohesion, shared resilience, and transformative innovation. In this spirit, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) has taken bold steps to align Asean's educational ambitions with concrete action. UTM reinforced its regional leadership by hosting the Ambassadors' Roundtable for Asean 2025 (ART@ASEAN'25) and launching the Erasmus+ Malaysia Hub on July 3. These landmark events position UTM as a vital bridge between Asean, the European Union (EU) and the broader global education community. ART@ASEAN'25 convened 169 high-level participants, including 40 ambassadors and embassy representatives, 11 senior officials from the Higher Education Ministry and 118 university leaders, under the theme "Bridging Nations, Connecting Regions: Higher Education for Asean Unity". The roundtable aligned educational cooperation with regional integration and broader development objectives. The event concluded with five strategic resolutions, positioning higher education as a key pillar of Malaysia's soft power and its Asean Chairmanship 2025. The resolutions offer more than a checklist of ambitions; they collectively map a pathway for higher education to become a true instrument of regional influence under Malaysia's Asean Chairmanship 2025. First, by reaffirming universities as strategic diplomatic tools, we recognise that academic exchanges and joint programmes do more than transfer knowledge; they build relationships, foster intercultural trust, and knit together Asean communities at a grassroots level. Second, the commitment to expand Asean–EU mobility and joint research in cutting-edge fields, such as AI, cybersecurity, the green transition, and public health, demonstrates a clear understanding that our region's future competitiveness depends on shared innovation. However, scaling these programmes will require careful calibration of curricula, credit recognition and funding sustainability to ensure meaningful impact rather than one-off exchanges. Third, the proposal for an Asean Institute for Higher Education Cooperation aims to harmonise academic quality frameworks and serve as an innovation incubator. This initiative, while ambitious, must guard against bureaucratic inertia. Its success will hinge on agile governance structures that empower institutions to pilot collaborative research and co-develop curricula. Fourth, the call for equity-focused diplomacy to support marginalised and displaced learners acknowledges persistent gaps in access. Translating this principle into practice will require targeted scholarship schemes, inclusive pedagogies and partnerships with civil society to reach those often left behind. Finally, by institutionalising the Ambassadors' Roundtable as an annual event, Asean commits to sustained dialogue; the real test will be maintaining momentum between meetings, tracking progress and publicly reporting on tangible outcomes. Together, these resolutions reflect a mature vision for higher education diplomacy, one that aspires not only to elevate institutional prestige but to deepen social cohesion, drive innovation and deliver shared prosperity across Asean. The highlight of the day was the official launch of the Erasmus+ Malaysia Hub by Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir and EU Ambassador to Malaysia Rafael Daerr. Housed at UTM Kuala Lumpur, the Hub serves as Malaysia's gateway to over €26 billion in Erasmus+ funding (2021–2027) and will coordinate national participation in Jean Monnet Modules, International Credit Mobility and Capacity Building for Higher Education projects. In his keynote, Zambry introduced "mobiliti minda," urging expansion beyond physical exchanges to intellectual openness and cultural empathy, essential traits for "global thinkers with local commitment." To bring these principles to life, students should leverage the Asean GEMS platform, which centralises scholarships and mobility programmes across Asean. With its multilingual interface and personalised matching, GEMS provides access to over USD 4 million in funding, empowering students to broaden their horizons, forge intercultural networks and deepen their competencies in alignment with the "mobiliti minda" spirit. Successfully embedding the "mobiliti minda" ethos requires institutional commitment on multiple fronts: championing pedagogical innovation, investing in faculty development, implementing ongoing evaluation, and designing curricula that foster critical reflection, structured cross-disciplinary dialogue, and empathetic teaching, all supported by sustained engagement with diverse communities to ensure Asean graduates emerge as open-minded leaders grounded in their local contexts. Collaboration through EU Erasmus+ projects underscores UTM's leadership in Asean higher education by fostering innovation and generating significant social impact. The ANGEL project (ASEAN Network for Green Entrepreneurship and Leadership) united institutions in Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Vietnam, and Malaysia to tackle environmental degradation and socioeconomic inequality. ANGEL delivered robust employability and entrepreneurial-leadership training to graduates and disadvantaged groups, fostering green innovation and opening pathways to quality employment. Equally noteworthy is the FOODI project, a collaboration between Malaysian, Thai and Cambodian universities alongside EU partners. FOODI culminated in the launch of a new MSc programme in Food Processing and Innovation, an interdisciplinary curriculum that, for the first time, integrates innovation management with food processing studies. This pioneering course is designed to transform the domestic food processing sector into a driver of social and economic growth, equipping graduates with both technical expertise and entrepreneurial vision. Meanwhile, the (Digital Transformation in Southeast Asia) project continues to modernise pedagogy by guiding universities in drafting digital strategies, developing train-the-trainer modules, and strengthening ICT infrastructures. will establish an open educational resource portal and regional training centres to ensure sustainability. By sharing green-entrepreneurship insights, pioneering an MSc in Food Processing and Innovation, and building a robust digital ecosystem, UTM empowers Asean institutions to innovate, upskill, and lead with purpose. Anchored by the "mobiliti minda" ethos and shared resolutions, these initiatives offer a comprehensive framework for higher education diplomacy. As Malaysia guides Asean in 2025, UTM's leadership demonstrates that universities can drive unity, resilience, adaptability, and shared prosperity, transforming regional collaboration into real-world solutions that shape our collective future.