Latest news with #46thASEANSummit
Barnama
a day ago
- Politics
- Barnama
- The ASEAN 2045 Vision – Promise… And Pause
Opinions on topical issues from thought leaders, columnists and editors. It is a carefully crafted document that reflects a welcome sense of ambition and confidence. At the 46th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur in May 2025, regional leaders adopted ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future – a comprehensive vision for the region's development over the next two decades. It galvanises collective effort. It signals priorities. It invites us to imagine a future worth striving for. But the real measure of such a vision lies not in its length or elegance, but in its capacity to reckon with complexity, to centre people meaningfully, and to commit to structural change. On these fronts, Our Shared Future offers both promise ... and pause. Having spent much of my career working on regional and global challenges, and as a firm believer in the importance of international and regional cooperation, I recognise the value of vision-setting. But even as it aspires to build a more 'resilient, innovative, dynamic and people-centred ASEAN,' it leaves important questions unanswered about the foundations upon which such aspirations rest. Issues such as climate change, pandemic preparedness, digital governance, and rising inequality do not respect institutional boundaries. While this reflects ASEAN's established architecture, it is increasingly out of step with the interlinked challenges we face today. The document's most visible structural feature is its division into four strategic pillars: political-security, economic, socio-cultural and connectivity. Yet Our Shared Future gestures only briefly towards integrated, cross-pillar responses – confined to a single, isolated bullet point on 'a green ASEAN' straddling the economic and socio-cultural pillars. Need for unified approach Entirely absent is the need for a unified approach that places health and wellbeing at the core of regional prosperity, peace, and the structural transformations essential for long-term security. Planetary health determines the wellbeing of all life in this region, yet this essential relationship is not acknowledged in the document. It outlines aspirations for coordination but offers no mechanisms to deliver it. If ASEAN is serious about addressing the systems-level threats it identifies, including climate, conflict, and displacement, it must move beyond working in silos. The economic ambitions are clear: to become the world's fourth-largest economy by 2045. There is pride in this trajectory, and rightly so. The region's dynamism is a global success story. But the blueprint's economic narrative leans heavily on traditional growth indicators – productivity, integration, scale – without enough interrogation of their sustainability or inclusiveness. Environmental concerns are addressed, but often as secondary considerations. One paragraph on the 'green economy' does not compensate for the lack of clear commitments to decarbonisation, circular economy models, or phasing out fossil fuels. Nor is there an explicit recognition of planetary boundaries. In a region already bearing the brunt of climate impacts, from sea-level rise to extreme heat and biodiversity loss, this is not just a technical omission. It is a strategic gap. Economic planning for 2045 must be built on ecological realism, not market optimism. The document rightly reaffirms ASEAN's commitment to democracy, good governance, and human rights. These are essential values for any future that seeks to be genuinely people centred. Addressing ASEAN's response But as the region continues to navigate complex political dynamics, including the ongoing crisis in Myanmar, it is striking that the vision does not address how ASEAN will respond when these values are under threat within its own community. Avoiding difficult issues may (arguably) keep the peace, but it erodes ASEAN's credibility -at home and abroad. A resilient ASEAN must live its Charter, not just cite it, and must stand for something more than branding in calm times and silence in crises. 'People-centred' is one of the most repeated phrases in the vision – welcome, and long overdue. But the document would be stronger if it showed how people's voices shaped its development or how they will be included in its implementation. There is little indication that ASEAN's citizens were consulted in any structured way in preparing this vision. Meanwhile, across Southeast Asia, people are already building the future – through climate activism, informal care networks, and digital innovation. The 4th ASEAN Youth Statement reflects this energy, explicitly calling for planetary health to bridge existing divides. But it raises a question: is this vision only the youth's, and why is it missing from the ASEAN 2045 Vision? ASEAN's political class must see people not as passive recipients of policy, but as co-creators of regional identity and progress. Without that, 'people-centred' risks becoming a slogan, not a principle. The call to strengthen the ASEAN Secretariat is, by now, a familiar one. It features in almost every major regional declaration. Yet little progress has been made in translating that sentiment into real investment or reform. Need for an institutional engine If ASEAN is to deliver on the commitments laid out in this document, it needs an institutional engine that is fit for purpose; analytically robust, politically empowered, and properly resourced by its 10 Member States. This is not about bureaucracy. It is about credibility. ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future is an important and timely document. It articulates a vision of prosperity and cohesion and reflects a maturing regionalism that many of us who have worked across ASEAN for years welcome. But it also reflects the challenges of a multilateral system that remains cautious – sometimes excessively so – in confronting hard truths. A shared future cannot be built through declarations alone. It requires difficult conversations, courageous leadership, and deeper engagement with the people whose lives these plans will shape. It demands a willingness to shift power – not merely reassert process. If ASEAN can rise to this challenge – by investing in institutional reform, embracing ecological stewardship, and engaging its people more directly – it will not only chart a path for itself. It may offer the world a compelling model of regional cooperation fit for our turbulent times. That is a future worth striving for. And one ASEAN still has time to realise. -- BERNAMA Prof Tan Sri Dr Jemilah Mahmood, a physician and experienced crisis leader, is the Executive Director of the Sunway Centre for Planetary Health at Sunway University, Malaysia. She is the founder of MERCY Malaysia and has served in leadership roles internationally with the United Nations and Red Cross for the last decade. She was the 2019 recipient of the ASEAN prize.
Daily Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Express
Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Manet heads to Malaysia for Thailand ceasefire talks
Published on: Monday, July 28, 2025 Published on: Mon, Jul 28, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (right) shares a brief exchange with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet before the Royal Luncheon at Istana Negara, held in conjunction with the 46th ASEAN Summit and related meetings. - BERNAMA PUTRAJAYA: Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet will arrive in Malaysia on Monday for crucial ceasefire negotiations with Thailand, facilitated by Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The talks aim to de-escalate recent border clashes between the two Southeast Asian nations. Hun Manet confirmed his participation in a Facebook post late Sunday. 'I will lead a Cambodian delegation to attend a special meeting in Kuala Lumpur hosted by Malaysia. I'd like to thank Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for his initiative and coordination to organise and host this special meeting,' he said. The meeting, scheduled for 3 pm in Putrajaya, will see Hun Manet engage with Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. Anwar, who also chairs ASEAN, proposed the mediation after renewed hostilities along the disputed 817-km border. Tensions flared following a May 28 skirmish near Preah Vihear, escalating into armed confrontations last week. The conflict has displaced over 80,000 civilians, with Cambodia's Ministry of National Defence reporting five soldiers and eight civilians killed. International pressure, including from the UN and US, pushed both sides toward dialogue. US President Donald Trump confirmed on Saturday that both governments agreed to discuss a President Donald Trump confirmed on Saturday that both governments agreed to discuss a ceasefire. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
BusinessToday
21-07-2025
- Politics
- BusinessToday
World Leaders From Asia, US, Africa, Canada, Europe, And S America To Attend ASEAN Summit
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today announced an impressive roster of world leaders confirmed to attend the ASEAN Summit this October with dignitaries from across Asia, the United States, Africa, Canada, Europe, and South Africa are expected to converge in Kuala Lumpur. Prime Minister Anwar has personally extended invitations during his numerous international trips, emphasising the significance of this gathering for regional and global cooperation. Adding to the anticipation, United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio made a surprise appearance at the recent ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Kuala Lumpur. During his visit, Secretary Rubio confirmed that US President Donald Trump intends to attend the October summit. This announcement signals a strong commitment from Washington to engage with Southeast Asia, particularly at a time of evolving geopolitical dynamics. The October summit, which follows the 46th ASEAN Summit held in May 2025, will specifically bring together ASEAN nations with their Dialogue Partners. This format facilitates high-level discussions on critical issues ranging from economic cooperation and security challenges to sustainable development and regional stability. Malaysia's chairmanship theme for 2025, 'Inclusivity and Sustainability,' will guide these important deliberations. Related
Barnama
15-07-2025
- Business
- Barnama
- Welcoming Timor-Leste: ASEAN'S Expansion And Malaysia's Leadership
Opinions on topical issues from thought leaders, columnists and editors. With Malaysia as ASEAN Chair and host of the 58th AMM, Kuala Lumpur became the centre stage for advancing this crucial milestone of ASEAN enlargement. This development follows the decision made at the 46th ASEAN Summit to admit Timor-Leste as the 11th member at the forthcoming 47th ASEAN Summit scheduled for October 2025. The 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM), held in Kuala Lumpur on 9 July 2025, marked a historic turning point in Southeast Asia's regional architecture by accelerating the final phase of Timor-Leste's accession into ASEAN. During the 58th AMM, the ASEAN Foreign Ministers formally adopted the Guidelines to Facilitate Timor-Leste's Accession to ASEAN Legal Instruments, signifying institutional readiness for Timor-Leste's full integration. For its part, Malaysia played a critical role in ensuring these procedural steps were implemented effectively and with urgency. As the Chair of ASEAN 2025, Malaysia not only hosted and chaired the meeting but also underscored the value of inclusivity and sustainability, both of which are deeply reflected in ASEAN's embrace of Timor-Leste's accession. The AMM also called upon Timor-Leste to expedite the ratification of these legal instruments and align its domestic frameworks with ASEAN's existing policies. This includes acceding to key economic agreements vital for market access, trade liberalisation, and regional connectivity. The operationalisation of the Timor-Leste Unit at the ASEAN Secretariat will be instrumental in monitoring and facilitating this integration process. These guidelines chart the path for Dili to accede to ASEAN's numerous treaties, agreements and conventions that span across the three ASEAN Community pillars, Political-Security, Economic and Socio-Cultural. Malaysia's leadership and strategic diplomacy Malaysia's Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, in his opening address, championed the principle of ASEAN Centrality and called for greater synergy across ASEAN pillars. His remarks framed Timor-Leste's entry not merely as a procedural expansion but as a strategic investment in regional solidarity. Echoing this spirit, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan emphasised during the press conference on 11 July that Malaysia strongly supports Timor-Leste's early accession to the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Treaty -expected to occur during the 47th ASEAN Summit – further embedding Dili into ASEAN's peace and security framework. Malaysia's stewardship has been marked by both decisiveness and diplomatic clarity. By pushing forward legal harmonisation processes and facilitating Timor-Leste's meaningful participation in ASEAN dialogues, Malaysia has not only fulfilled its chairmanship duties but also reaffirmed its longstanding role as a bridge-builder in Southeast Asia. Regional and strategic impacts of Timor-Leste's accession Timor-Leste's accession will have multi-dimensional impacts across ASEAN, strengthening the regional bloc in several significant ways. Politically, the admission of Timor-Leste reinforces ASEAN's identity as an inclusive, rules-based and cohesive community. It highlights the Association's commitment to engaging and embracing emerging democracies, particularly those with unique post-conflict experiences. Timor-Leste, having gained independence in 2002 after years of foreign occupation and civil strife, now stands as a resilient democracy with a strong national commitment to human rights, good governance, and regional cooperation. Its inclusion sends a strong signal that ASEAN does not merely function as an exclusive club of economically developed or geopolitically powerful states, but as a community that values democratic evolution, national resilience and regional solidarity. Strategically, Timor-Leste's accession to the Treaty on SEANWFZ – scheduled for October 2025 – will have a significant impact on the regional security architecture. It will expand the geographical reach of the nuclear-free zone to fully cover the Southeast Asian landmass, closing a symbolic and strategic gap in the treaty's scope. Timor-Leste's commitment to a denuclearised Southeast Asia will strengthen ASEAN's collective voice in disarmament forums, bolster its role as a champion of peace and stability, and demonstrate that regional unity can be a powerful counterbalance to global insecurity. Economically, Timor-Leste's integration into ASEAN holds transformative potential for both the country and the regional bloc. With a population of approximately 1.3 million and abundant natural resources – including oil and gas – Timor-Leste represents an emerging frontier market in Southeast Asia. Its accession will expand ASEAN's internal market, encouraging greater intra-ASEAN trade, investment and development cooperation. ASEAN has already committed to providing technical assistance and policy support to ensure Timor-Leste's smooth transition into the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC). This includes facilitating its accession to key agreements such as the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA), ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services (AFAS) and other relevant protocols. Socially and culturally, Timor-Leste's inclusion adds linguistic and cultural diversity, enriching ASEAN's socio-cultural exchanges and reinforcing its motto of 'One Vision, One Identity, One Community.' As the 47th ASEAN Summit approaches in October 2025, the full admission of Timor-Leste into ASEAN stands not only as a diplomatic formality but as a powerful affirmation of ASEAN's commitment to inclusivity, unity, and future-oriented cooperation. Malaysia, through its strategic leadership and diplomatic agility, has played an indispensable role in realising this regional aspiration. -- BERNAMA Assoc Prof Dr Nazariah Osman is the Dean of School of International Studies, College of Law, Government and International Studies, Universiti Utara Malaysia.
Barnama
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
Terengganu State Assembly Congratulates Parliament For Organising 46th AIPA
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim poses for a group photo with the ASEAN Leaders' Interface With Representatives Of ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) in conjunction with the 46th ASEAN Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on May 26. Also present is the 46th AIPA president Tan Sri Johari Abdul (fifth, left). KUALA TERENGGANU, July 7 (Bernama) -- The Terengganu State Assembly today congratulated the Malaysian Parliament for successfully hosting the 46th ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA). State Assembly Speaker Datuk Mohd Nor Hamzah said the 46th AIPA, organised in conjunction with the 46th ASEAN Summit chaired by Malaysia, was conducted in an orderly, dignified, and commendable manner. 'The House records its full support for this outstanding initiative and prays that the 46th AIPA General Assembly achieves resounding success, further enhancing the stature of Malaysia's legislative institutions at both the regional and international levels," he said in his opening speech at the second meeting of the third term of the 15th State Assembly here today. He said that since the beginning of this year, Malaysia has successfully organised several significant AIPA-related meetings, including the Fourth Meeting of the Coordinating Committee of Women Parliamentarians of AIPA (WAIPA) in Sarawak last April, the Second AIPA Young Parliamentarians Consultation Meeting in Selangor last May, and the AIPA Advisory Council on Dangerous Drugs (AIPACODD) Meeting in Pahang last June. 'These meetings serve as important platforms to deliberate on key issues, such as the role of women and youth, social security, drug-related challenges, and policy coordination that promotes inclusive development and a sustainable ASEAN,' he said. He added that the upcoming 46th AIPA General Assembly, scheduled to take place from Sept 16 to 22 in Kuala Lumpur, which will be the culmination of all preceding consultation sessions, will be a vital avenue for Malaysia to showcase the leadership of its Parliament in advancing the ASEAN Community Vision 2045. -- BERNAMA
