ASEAN: Today's Summit To Reinforce Malaysia's Role In Steering Strategic Cooperation
KUALA LUMPUR, May 27 (Bernama) -- The 46th ASEAN Summit, which enters its final day today, builds on the positive momentum achieved yesterday and is expected to further strengthen Malaysia's role in spearheading ASEAN's strategic cooperation agenda with regional and global partners.
The Prime Minister's Senior Press Secretary, Tunku Nashrul Abaidah, said Malaysia remains committed to ensuring that its ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025 delivers meaningful, principled, and impactful outcomes for the people of ASEAN, especially through the key sessions taking place.
'Looking at the success of hosting the 46th ASEAN Summit, we should take pride in having a dedicated team committed to elevating the nation's reputation and delivering the best possible outcomes for all Malaysians,' he said.
He made the statement during the Prime Minister's Office Daily Briefing, broadcast live via Anwar Ibrahim's Facebook page and the official PMO Malaysia Facebook account today.
Tunku Nashrul said today's focus would be on enhancing ASEAN's cooperation with strategic partners, particularly through the convening of the 2nd ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and the inaugural ASEAN-GCC-China Summit, both aimed at strengthening regional and inter-regional cooperation.
He added that both summits would deliberate on concrete steps to expand cooperation in trade, investment, and sustainable development, in line with ASEAN's aspiration to play a more prominent role within the Indo-Pacific geoeconomic landscape.
Also taking place today are the 16th East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Summit – comprising Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines – and the 16th Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) Summit, which aim to fine-tune subregional development agendas and strengthen cross-border connectivity among participating countries.
On the 'Kuala Lumpur Declaration on ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future', Tunku Nashrul described it as a major achievement from yesterday's summit, laying out a long-term strategic vision to guide the ASEAN Community over the next two decades.
He said the document is a continuation of 'ASEAN 2025: Forging Ahead Together', signed during Malaysia's chairmanship in 2015, and now serves as a new roadmap to build a resilient, innovative, dynamic, and people-centred ASEAN Community, positioning ASEAN as a key growth centre in the Indo-Pacific region by 2045.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malaysiakini
44 minutes ago
- Malaysiakini
Asean-GCC-China summit: Forging strategic trilateral future
LETTER | On May 27, Kuala Lumpur became the epicentre of a historic diplomatic convergence as the leaders of Asean, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the People's Republic of China gathered for the first-ever Asean-GCC-China Summit. This unprecedented trilateral engagement, held under the chairmanship of Malaysia, marked a milestone in international diplomacy, economic cooperation and strategic alignment among three of the world's most dynamic regions. The summit was more than a mere multilateral meeting. It symbolised the coming together of regions connected by centuries of trade, civilisation, and cooperation from the ancient Silk Road and the maritime powerhouses of Melaka to the energy corridors of the Gulf and the technological advances of modern China. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, as host and chair, reflected this spirit by emphasising the deep historical linkages and shared aspirations that bind these blocs together. Anwar described the summit as a 'new chapter in Asean's journey of outward-looking engagement,' underscoring the trilateral potential of a combined population exceeding 2.15 billion and a gross domestic product (GDP) of US$24.87 trillion. He stressed that such a scale presents immense opportunities to synergise markets, deepen innovation, and foster cross-regional investments. Global dynamics The 2025 summit took place against a backdrop of shifting global dynamics, notably the rise in U.S. protectionism under President Donald Trump's second term. As the United States imposed new rounds of tariffs on Asean exports - reaching up to 49 percent for some member states - there was a clear impetus for regional blocs to assert strategic autonomy. The Asean-GCC-China alignment thus appeared not as a defiance of global order, but as a recalibration of priorities towards multipolarity, cooperation and balanced engagement. While Anwar was careful to reiterate that the US remains an important trade partner, he also reaffirmed Asean's intention to maintain a policy of 'constructive, balanced engagement' with all major powers. This was echoed in the summit's joint statement, which pledged to uphold international law, multilateralism and mutual respect. The summit produced a far-reaching Joint Statement, outlining commitments in six primary domains: economic integration, energy and sustainability, digital transformation, food and agriculture, connectivity and people-to-people exchanges. These areas form the backbone of what the leaders termed a 'unified and collective path toward a peaceful, prosperous, and just future.' The summit reaffirmed the centrality of trade as the cornerstone of trilateral relations. Leaders committed to finalising and signing the Asean-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA) 3.0 Upgrade and looked forward to the early conclusion of the China-GCC Free Trade Agreement. Furthermore, they proposed the establishment of a trilateral regional business council to facilitate dialogue between companies across the three regions, with a special focus on digital trade, fintech, supply chains and empowering micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). There was also a strong push for de-dollarisation strategies, with an emphasis on local currency usage and cross-border payment systems to shield regional trade from external volatility. Infrastructure development was positioned as both an economic and symbolic enabler of regional unity. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was endorsed as a platform to enhance seamless regional connectivity, particularly through digital infrastructure, maritime security cooperation and the development of logistics corridors. These initiatives are expected to diversify economic access and deepen inter-regional trade links between the Asean archipelago, the Gulf and mainland China. On energy Energy featured prominently, reflecting the Gulf's strength as an energy powerhouse and China's and Asean's increasing drive toward clean energy transitions. The summit participants agreed to collaborate on an inclusive, affordable energy transition aligned with the Paris Agreement. Joint efforts will focus on clean hydrogen, low-carbon ammonia, carbon capture and nuclear energy guided by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) standards. The parties also committed to strengthening energy market stability, investing in cross-border energy infrastructure such as LNG terminals and undersea power cables and promoting innovation in emerging green technologies. The leaders acknowledged digital innovation as a strategic priority. There was consensus on exploring cross-regional frameworks for cooperation in digital trade, fintech, artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, blockchain and smart city development. To ensure inclusivity in the digital age, the summit endorsed skills development, digital literacy programs, and inclusive platform work protections. Food security was highlighted as an urgent issue, especially amid ongoing conflicts and supply chain disruptions. The leaders agreed to enhance sustainable agricultural practices, promote halal food trade through mutual recognition of standards and diversify food sources to strengthen regional nutrition and food resilience. Cultural diplomacy was also a core theme. The summit committed to boosting educational exchange, scholarship programs, mutual tourism marketing, and cross-cultural initiatives through art, music and literature. A special focus was placed on youth engagement and intercultural dialogue to build mutual trust and long-term friendship among the peoples of the three regions. In addition to development priorities, the summit tackled pressing global humanitarian and security concerns. The plight of Palestinians was addressed comprehensively, with the leaders jointly condemning attacks on civilians in Gaza and calling for a durable ceasefire and full humanitarian access. The summit cited the International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion (July 19, 2024) and UN resolutions supporting the two-state solution based on pre-1967 borders. Qatar's mediation and China's role in facilitating Palestinian unity through the Beijing Declaration (July 2024) were acknowledged and praised. The leaders also endorsed Saudi Arabia's initiative to co-host a High-Level International Conference for Peace in Palestine with France in June 2025. Myanmar crisis In addressing the Myanmar crisis, the summit called for extending the ceasefire initiated after the March earthquake, although concerns were raised about the military regime's sincerity. Nonetheless, Asean reaffirmed its commitment to a peaceful solution through regional consensus and diplomacy. Anwar delivered multiple keynotes during the summit and the accompanying Asean-GCC-China Economic Forum. He celebrated the event as a landmark demonstration of Asean's capacity to convene and lead amidst complexity. Anwar highlighted the rapid economic rise of the GCC, particularly in energy transition and AI development, and reaffirmed China as a vital partner for regional stability, justice, and development. He praised the summit for achieving concrete consensus on governance, economic policy, and human rights advocacy, stating that this summit proves that open dialogue and collective spirit can overcome differences. Chinese Premier Li Qiang echoed similar sentiments, emphasising China's readiness to align development strategies with Asean and GCC partners, and expressing optimism that trilateral synergies would multiply benefits across all regions. GCC leaders, including Kuwait's Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khalid Al Sabah, stressed the importance of building resilient partnerships to withstand global crises, while advancing negotiations on a free trade area with Asean. The summit concluded with a collective pledge to implement the joint statement through agreed mechanisms and to build on existing frameworks such as the Asean-GCC and Asean-China platforms. The leaders also looked ahead to future summits, including the Asia Cooperation Dialogue in Doha (October 2025) and the Palestine Peace Conference (June 2025). In short, the Asean-GCC-China Summit represents a bold reimagining of global governance. It demonstrated that in a fragmented international order, regional blocs can lead with purpose, foster inclusivity and champion cooperation over conflict. With Malaysia at the helm, the summit has set a precedent for strategic trilateralism that could shape Asia and the Middle East for decades to come. NURUL AMELLYA AZHAR is a doctorate student in International Political Economy at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
School holidays bring opportunities to local economy in Johor
JOHOR BAHRU: The school holidays since May 29, which brought joy to students and families, are a boon for hawkers, homestay operators and local communities around tourist hotspots in the state. A Bernama survey of several popular locations including the Johor Bahru City Square, Johor Zoo and the Johor Bahru City Council (MBJB) City Forest found that the presence of domestic tourists has increased sharply since the start of the holidays, thus providing a surge in income for street food vendors, souvenir vendors and homestay operators. Food vendor Halimah Abu Bakar, 48, said her sales during the school holiday season increased by 50 per cent following the increase in the number of customers at her stall. 'On weekdays, we receive around 100 customers, but during the holiday season, the number increases to 150 a day. Most of the customers are from other states and Singapore. 'Although we have to open our stall early and return late at night, the effort is worth it because the daily income increased almost three times compared to normal days,' she said when met by Bernama at her stall located around Hutan Bandar MBJB here today. Meanwhile, ice cream vendor Hasimi Md Isa, 41, said the school holiday season is like the 'harvest season' that he has been waiting for. 'During this school holiday, my ice cream sales can reach more than RM50 a day compared to RM30 a day. This school holiday is indeed a much-anticipated moment for local hawkers following the increase in the number of tourists coming to the state,' he said. The presence of tourists from outside Johor, such as Kuala Lumpur, Melaka and Pahang, also contributes to the increase in local economic activities, especially homestay operators around the hotspots. Homestay operator Suraya Abd Majid, 38, said all units advertised on digital platforms had been booked a week before the holiday began, showing high demand for affordable accommodation outside the countryside. 'Many families also choose to stay in homestays because they can cook and save money. Homestays are also a choice because their facilities are more family-friendly. 'For this school holiday season alone, my homestay in Kempas has been fully booked until June 7. In fact, I have often received calls from people wanting to book a homestay within two to three days recently,' she said when contacted by Bernama. On May 29, the media reported that Johor Unity, Heritage and Culture Exco, K. Raven Kumar, announced that 80 per cent of hotel room reservations in tourist hotspots in Johor had been filled in conjunction with the first term school holidays. The school holidays are expected to end on June 10, and local traders, hawkers and homestay operators hope that this momentum can continue ahead of Visit Johor Year 2026.
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
DPM Ahmad Zahid, Fadillah extend congratulations to King on official birthday
KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi expressed his wishes and congratulations to His Majesty, Sultan Ibrahim, the King of Malaysia, on his official birthday on Monday (June 2). Ahmad Zahid, through a Facebook post, said he and his family are grateful and pray that Allah SWT will always bless His Majesty's reign. He also prayed that Sultan Ibrahim would be granted a long life, be blessed with good health, and continue to reign on the throne with full sovereignty and wisdom. Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof also expressed his wishes and congratulations to Sultan Ibrahim on his official birthday. "May His Majesty continue to reign with majesty, sovereignty and prosperity, and rule (the country) with justice and fairness. "May His Majesty be under the protection and grace of Allah SWT, live with great happiness, be granted blessings, guidance and long life as well as good health," he said. According to Fadillah, he and all Malaysians pray that His Majesty will always be blessed.
