Latest news with #47thAseanSummit
New Straits Times
27-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Anwar: Asean deepens global ties in most substantive summit yet
KUALA LUMPUR: The 46th Asean Summit and Related Summits represent one of the most substantive milestones in Asean's history, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Anwar, who is also Asean Chairman, said the summit successfully achieved its objectives, attributing the outcome to the strong support and unity among Asean leaders, as well as the bloc's first meaningful engagement with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and China. "The inaugural meeting in Riyadh was more of a formality, serving primarily to introduce the programme. However, this time around, there were a series of sessions and in-depth discussions, culminating in a highly detailed and comprehensive joint statement. "Equally significant was the presence of Chinese Premier Li Qiang," he said at a press conference held in conjunction with the 46th Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur. Also in attendance were Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti) Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz. Anwar said that even on contentious matters such as Myanmar, a fundamental understanding had been reached. Agreements were also made regarding tariffs and collaborative joint projects. He credited the success of the summit to the exceptionally thorough and commendable preparations undertaken by the ministers and the Foreign Ministry. "Credit must also be given to the minister and staff of Miti, as well as other ministries, including Home, Economy, Finance, and Tourism. "We have delivered one of the most substantive Asean Summits in history, alongside meaningful discussions with the GCC," Anwar said. He expressed hope that progress would be made on all issues discussed ahead of the 47th Asean Summit in October. "We must do whatever is necessary — finalising free trade agreements (FTAs) with the GCC, pursuing an FTA with the European Union (EU), enhancing economic ties and promoting intra-Asean trade. All of these require concrete action. By October, we aim to see real, measurable outcomes. "These discussions are not merely symbolic declarations, but are aimed at driving tangible changes that benefit ordinary citizens. "I can genuinely sense it. There is a substantial — perhaps even dramatic — shift in attitude. We are determined to act, and everything must be done in the spirit of Asean," he said. Under the theme 'Inclusivity and Sustainability', the 2025 edition marks Malaysia's fifth term as Asean Chair, following previous chairmanships in 1977, 1997, 2005, and 2015. Held in Kuala Lumpur on May 26 and 27, the 46th Asean Summit was accompanied by the second Asean-GCC Summit and the inaugural Asean-GCC-China Summit, which also took place earlier today.
The Star
26-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Trade upgrade coming for Asean
Warm welcome: Tengku Zafrul standing alongside fellow AECC ministers before chairing the 25th AECC meeting. — Bernama Expansion of China and regional deals to be signed in October KUALA LUMPUR: Asean has concluded the upgrade of two existing trade agreements, expected to be signed at the 47th Asean Summit in October, says Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz. The Investment, Trade and Industry Minister said such was the result of upgraded negotiations on the Asean-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA) 3.0 and the Asean Trade in Goods Agreement (Atiga). 'I am pleased to report that two of our priority economic deliverables for 2025 have been concluded. Both agreements are scheduled to be signed in October. 'We remain confident that these milestones will serve as pivotal enablers for Asean's sustained growth and competitiveness,' he said after chairing the 25th Asean Economic Community Council (AECC) meeting yesterday. Tengku Zafrul said the successful conclusion of these negotiations are expected to enhance the region's economic integration and generate significant economic benefits for Asean as it navigates an increasingly volatile global economic landscape. He said Atiga, long regarded as the cornerstone of Asean's economic integration, will feature forward-looking and commercially meaningful provisions aimed at further boosting regional trade, enhancing supply chain resilience and promoting deeper economic integration. Tengku Zafrul also said the AECC meeting concluded negotiations on the enhanced memorandum of agreement on the Asean Power Grid (APG) initiative and it is scheduled to be signed at the 43rd Asean Ministers on Energy meeting in October. He also welcomed the establishment of APG financing facility network, which will enhance cross-border flows of foreign direct investments and new funding opportunities for regional energy-related projects. On the Asean Economic Community Blueprint 2025, Tengku Zafrul said the blueprint has an overall implementation rate of 97%. 'This year marks another pivotal milestone for Asean, as we prepare to launch the successor to the AEC Blueprint, which is the Asean Economic Community (AEC) Strategic Plan 2026-2030,' he added. The AEC Strategic Plan 2026-2030 will be launched today.
The Star
26-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Asean mulls special envoy
Long-term solution for Myanmar crisis eyed with proposal KUALA LUMPUR: Asean foreign ministers have agreed to explore a proposal to appoint a permanent special envoy to Myanmar, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. He said the proposal did not receive any objection from his counterparts for an Asean permanent special envoy to be appointed for a three-year term. 'The candidate for the post was discussed at the senior officials meeting (SOM) level, and it will be brought to the leaders. 'The idea was well received by the respective Asean states,' the Foreign Minister told a press conference yesterday. Currently, the special envoy of the Asean Chair to Myanmar is Tan Sri Othman Hashim, who is the former human rights commission (Suhakam) chairman and former Foreign Ministry secretary-general. Mohamad said he will be heading to Naypyidaw, Myanmar, next month to meet with the military junta for further negotiations. 'I am going to talk to them further. We have to be patient, because the warring factions have been against each other for decades,' he said. Mohamad pointed out that, while member states respect the Asean policy of non-interference, the ongoing Myanmar issue has caused transnational crimes and a refugee crisis affecting neighbouring countries. 'That is why many Asean countries agreed to deal with the Myanmar issue,' he said. The Myanmar civil war, which was sparked by the coup d'etat by its military junta in February 2021, has created lawless border regions that allowed criminal syndicates to set up 'scam-parks', where foreign nationals are trafficked into the country and forced to commit online scams. On another matter, Mohamad said Timor-Leste has to double its efforts if it wants to be a full member of Asean. He said there are about 66 legal instruments that Timor-Leste has to comply with. 'We want to help them, but they have to help themselves too,' he said. He said Asean foreign ministers agreed to establish a special task force on Timor-Leste to expedite and assist it in complying with all legal instruments. Mohamad also said the adoption of the draft addendum to the Treaty on the South-East Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone marks a significant milestone in integrating Timor-Leste in Asean policies and security frameworks. 'Asean member states will now begin undertaking their respective domestic legal procedures with a view to finalising Timor-Leste's accession process by the 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits in October,' he said. Mohamad also said Asean is exploring a proposal to admit Timor-Leste as a full member before it complies with all the legal instruments. 'We are contemplating a proposal to establish a timeline for them. For example, if they can fulfil the legal instruments within five years, then they can be full members. 'This is how we ensure that we align with our Asean theme this year, which is inclusivity and sustainability,' he said.
The Star
25-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Singapore PM Wong to attend Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur from Monday (May 26), his first regional meet since taking office
SINGAPORE (The Straits Times/ANN): Singapore Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong will travel to Kuala Lumpur from Monday (May 26) to attend the 46th Asean Summit and related meetings, the first regional gathering he will attend since the 2025 General Election. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said in a statement on May 25 that this will be the first of two summits hosted by Malaysia as the 2025 Asean chair. Themed 'Inclusivity and Sustainability', the summit comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainties, with regional leaders expected to discuss ways to strengthen Asean's unity and resilience. Ahead of the summits in Kuala Lumpur, Asean economic ministers concluded negotiations to upgrade the Asean Trade in Goods Agreement (Atiga) at a meeting of the Asean Economic Community Council (AECC). The Ministry of Trade and Industry said in a statement on May 25 that the move would create an improved regional ecosystem for flows of goods within Asean and benefit businesses. The negotiations were chaired by Singapore, and an agreement is expected to be signed in October 2025 at the 47th Asean Summit. Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong had represented Singapore at the AECC meeting, which also discussed issues related to the digital economy, sustainability and finance, and deepening cooperation with other regions. Speaking about the Atiga upgrade negotiations, DPM Gan, who is also Trade and Industry Minister, said: 'This demonstrates Asean's commitment to building a more seamless and resilient economic region, as well as to preserve a rules-based trading environment to better support businesses' operations in the Asean region amidst an uncertain global economic climate.' Meanwhile, this Asean summit will be PM Wong's first since he led the PAP to victory in the May 3 election, where the party secured 65.57 per cent of the popular vote. This follows the announcement of a new Cabinet line-up on May 23, which PM Wong said would ensure continuity and renewal for Singapore's Government as it embarks on the next chapter of leadership. Key issues on the Asean agenda include efforts to deepen economic integration, strengthen regional security and tap new growth areas such as the digital and green economies. These discussions build on recent efforts, such as the Asean Digital Economy Framework Agreement negotiations and plans for a regional power grid, to bolster the region's competitiveness and ensure that growth is shared more broadly. The Asean leaders will reaffirm their commitment to the regional group's integration and community building efforts, noted PMO. The leaders will discuss ways to continue promoting a free, open and inclusive regional architecture within Asean and with its external partners. 'They will also discuss strengthening Asean's resilience by making intra-Asean trade more seamless and tapping new growth areas like the digital and green economies,' PMO added. The South-east Asian leaders are expected to discuss the impact of trade tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump in April, which have disrupted global markets and created uncertainties for the trade-reliant economies of the 10-member Asean bloc. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong said on May 16 that Singapore is working to strengthen Asean cooperation and boost trade and supply chain resilience, following a special meeting of Asean economic ministers on April 10. Negotiations to upgrade the Asean Trade in Goods Agreement (Atiga), a key free trade agreement for the region, are expected to be completed by the end of May. The Atiga was signed in 2009 and entered into force a year later. DPM Gan, who is chairing the latest round of negotiations to upgrade the agreement, said the upgrade would further lower tariffs and remove non-tariff barriers to facilitate trade among Asean members. This would demonstrate Asean's commitment to deepening integration and strengthening cooperation. PMO said the Asean leaders will also discuss ways to expand the grouping's engagement with external partners, especially the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and China at the 2nd Asean-GCC Summit and the Asean-GCC-China Summit. Both of these meetings will take place on Tuesday (May 27). The Asean-GCC Summit, which brings together the regional grouping and the Gulf states, was last held in October 2023 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It marked the first-ever gathering between Asean and the GCC, setting the stage for expanded cooperation in energy, trade and sustainability. PM Wong will be accompanied by his wife, Mrs Wong, and Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan during the trip, said PMO. During PM Wong's absence, DPM Gan will be the Acting Prime Minister on 25 and 26 May. On May 27, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs K. Shanmugam will be the Acting Prime Minister. - The Straits Times/ANN
Business Times
25-05-2025
- Business
- Business Times
East Timor could join Asean bloc by October: minister
[KUALA LUMPUR] East Timor is a step closer to fulfilling its longstanding wish to join the South-east Asian regional bloc and could become its 11th member state by October, Malaysia's foreign minister said on Sunday (May 25). Mohamad Hasan said on the sidelines ahead of an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit in Kuala Lumpur that Dili 'has made meaningful progress in implementing a roadmap' for it to join. East Timor is one of the world's poorest countries and some concerns remain around whether it could participate meaningfully in Asean's development agenda. However, the bloc's foreign ministers voiced 'strong support for Timor-Leste's full membership in Asean, particularly in its efforts to fulfil the remaining criteria', Mohamad told a news conference, using the country's Portuguese name. The top Malaysian diplomat did not give details on issues still outstanding but full membership could be granted at Asean's next regional meeting in October, chaired this year by Malaysia. Asean member states will 'now begin undertaking their respective domestic legal procedure with a view to finalise Timor-Leste's accession process by the 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits in October, hopefully', Mohamad said. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 8.30 am Asean Business Business insights centering on South-east Asia's fast-growing economies. Sign Up Sign Up East Timor is the youngest country in South-east Asia, having gained independence from Indonesia in 2002 after 24 years of occupation. Its president, Jose Ramos-Horta, has long campaigned for Asean membership and an application was first submitted by the former Portuguese colony of around 1.3 million people in 2011. Dili was granted observer status to the regional body in 2022 but its full membership has been delayed by various challenges. East Timor is grappling with high levels of inequality, malnourishment and unemployment and remains heavily reliant on oil, with little diversification into other sectors. It also faces challenges in infrastructure development and human resource capacity, seen as critical for effective participation in Asean's economic community. AFP
