Latest news with #58thAMM
The Sun
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
ASEAN backs Myanmar peace efforts and Rohingya repatriation
KUALA LUMPUR: ASEAN Foreign Ministers have reaffirmed their support for Myanmar's efforts to restore peace and stability in Rakhine State, while underscoring the importance of safe and voluntary repatriation of displaced persons. In a joint communique issued at the end of the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting here, on Friday, the bloc reiterated its commitment to promoting harmony and reconciliation among all communities in Rakhine, as well as ensuring safety and security for affected populations. 'We reaffirmed ASEAN's continued support for Myanmar's efforts to promote peace, stability, and the rule of law in Rakhine State. 'We emphasised the importance of ensuring safety and security for all communities, and facilitating the voluntary return of displaced persons in a safe, secure, and dignified manner,' read the joint communique on the final day of the 58th AMM. The bloc welcomed the ongoing cooperation between Myanmar and Bangladesh, including bilateral repatriation initiatives for verified displaced persons from Rakhine. 'We look forward to ASEAN's continued facilitation of the repatriation process, particularly through the implementation of projects as a follow-up to the recommendations of the Preliminary Needs Assessment (PNA),' it stated. It added that ASEAN hopes conditions will soon allow for a Comprehensive Needs Assessment (CNA), and encouraged the ASEAN Secretary-General to continue identifying potential areas where the bloc can effectively contribute to the repatriation process. Today marks the last day of the 58th AMM and related meetings held from July 8 to July 11, under Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship for 2025, with the theme 'Inclusivity and Sustainability'. More than 1,500 delegates from ASEAN and its external partners participated in 24 ministerial-level meetings over four days. - Bernama
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
ASEAN aims to boost halal food trade amid rising global demand
KUALA LUMPUR: ASEAN Foreign Ministers look forward to strengthening regional coordination to enhance halal food trade, responding to the rising global demand for halal products. In the Joint Communique issued Friday following the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting on Wednesday (July 9), ministers emphasised the need to harmonise national halal standards with regional and international benchmarks. The bloc also called for active participation from all stakeholders in developing ASEAN's halal food industry. 'We strongly encouraged active engagement by all relevant stakeholders, particularly the private sector, to elevate ASEAN's halal food industry, including through the exchange and sharing of experience and best practices,' the statement read. The 58th AMM and related meetings, held from July 8 to 11 under Malaysia's 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship themed 'Inclusivity and Sustainability,' include 24 ministerial-level engagements, bringing together ASEAN Dialogue Partners and Sectoral Dialogue Partners to strengthen regional cooperation and partnerships. - Bernama
The Sun
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
ASEAN calls for Gaza ceasefire, humanitarian access amid crisis
KUALA LUMPUR: The ASEAN foreign ministers expressed grave concern over the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, urging all parties to resolve differences through diplomacy and dialogue in the interest of maintaining peace and stability. In a joint communique issued at the end of the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting here, the ministers condemned all attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, which have resulted in the alarming number of casualties, particularly among women and children. 'The continued restricted access to humanitarian aid, relief supplies and other basic needs, leading to the further deterioration of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. We urged all relevant parties to accept the ceasefire proposal as outlined in paragraph two of UN Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 2735. 'We called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, especially women, children, the sick and the elderly. We underscored the importance of release from any arbitrary detention,' it said. The 58th AMM and related meetings — held from July 8 under Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship themed 'Inclusivity and Sustainability' — concluded today. According to the communique, the ministers also urged all ASEAN Member States and external partners to continue providing and facilitating humanitarian assistance for the people of Gaza. The ministers reaffirmed their support for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in the execution of its mandate. 'We called for the full resumption of rapid, safe, unimpeded and sustained humanitarian access to all those in need, including through increased capacity at border crossings, including by sea. 'We called on all parties to the conflict to protect civilians and to abide by international humanitarian law and international human rights law,' the joint communique stated. It said the ministers also reaffirmed their longstanding support for the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including their rights to self-determination and to their homeland. 'In this regard, we urged all parties concerned to redouble efforts towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict, with the aim of realising the two-State solution in accordance with international law and the relevant UNSC and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) General Assembly resolutions. 'This includes UNGA Resolution A/RES/ES-10/23 on the Admission of New Members to the United Nations, dated May 10, 2024, as well as UNGA Resolution A/RES/ES-10/27 on the protection of civilians and the upholding of legal and humanitarian obligations, dated June 12, 2025, which we all voted in favour,' it said. - Bernama
The Star
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Asean reaffirms support for Myanmar peace efforts, Timor-Leste's bloc membership
KUALA LUMPUR: Asean Foreign Ministers have reaffirmed their support for Myanmar's efforts to restore peace and stability in its Rakhine state, while underscoring the importance of safe and voluntary repatriation of displaced persons. In a joint communique issued at the end of the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting here, on Friday, the bloc reiterated its commitment to promoting harmony and reconciliation among all communities in Rakhine, as well as ensuring safety and security for affected populations. "We reaffirmed Asean's continued support for Myanmar's efforts to promote peace, stability, and the rule of law in Rakhine State. "We emphasised the importance of ensuring safety and security for all communities, and facilitating the voluntary return of displaced persons in a safe, secure, and dignified manner," read the joint communique on the final day of the 58th AMM here on Friday (July 11). The bloc welcomed the ongoing cooperation between Myanmar and Bangladesh, including bilateral repatriation initiatives for verified displaced persons from Rakhine. "We look forward to Asean's continued facilitation of the repatriation process, particularly through the implementation of projects as a follow-up to the recommendations of the Preliminary Needs Assessment (PNA)," it stated. It added that Asean hopes conditions will soon allow for a Comprehensive Needs Assessment (CNA), and encouraged the Asean Secretary-General to continue identifying potential areas where the bloc can effectively contribute to the repatriation process. Today marks the last day of the 58th AMM and related meetings held from July 8 to 11, under Malaysia's Asean Chairmanship for 2025, with the theme 'Inclusivity and Sustainability'. More than 1,500 delegates from Asean and its external partners participated in 24 ministerial-level meetings over four days. Asean also reaffirmed its commitment to admitting Timor-Leste as the 11th member at the 47th Asean Summit in October, in line with the decision made at the 46th Summit. Ministers expressed their commitment to supporting Timor-Leste in expediting its early accession to key Asean economic agreements to facilitate its full integration into the regional bloc. "We look forward to Timor-Leste fulfilling its roles and obligations as an incoming member state and its commitment to upholding Asean's fundamental principles," the statement read. In addition, ministers commended Timor-Leste's active participation as an Observer in Asean meetings and its commitment to full membership, as well as its efforts to fulfil all criteria under the Roadmap for Timor-Leste's Full Membership in Asean. "We encouraged Timor-Leste to continue accelerating its institutional capacities and deepening engagement with all Asean Sectoral Bodies to carry out the obligations of Asean membership," it said. The bloc has further encouraged continued efforts by Timor-Leste to align its domestic policies, processes, and frameworks with Asean agreements and frameworks, in promoting a smooth and effective integration process. "We looked forward to Timor-Leste's meaningful contribution to the implementation of the Asean 2045: Our Shared Future, noting that Timor-Leste's efforts towards Asean integration will help strengthen Asean's resilience, inclusivity, and sustainability," it said. The bloc also welcomed the operationalisation of the Timor-Leste Unit at the Asean Secretariat, which will serve as a vital mechanism to facilitate its integration into Asean structures and processes and to support and monitor the country's full implementation of the Roadmap. "We encouraged continued engagement and support from Asean Member States to facilitate Timor-Leste's transition towards Asean membership, as well as its continued efforts to fulfil the Roadmap following its admission to Asean," it added. The full joint communique dated July 9 can be accessed here. – Bernama
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Trump has been invited to visit China, says Rubio
KUALA LUMPUR: President Donald Trump has been invited to visit China, says US Secretary of State Marco Rubio after an hour-long meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi. "It is a visit that he wants to undertake. So, we are working on finding a right for that. "But, I'm sure it will happen, because both presidents want it to happen," he said to reporters on the sidelines of the Asean Foreign Ministers (AMM) meeting in KLCC on Friday (July 11). This is the first in-person session between the two and speculation is rife that it could be a possible prelude to a presidential summit between China's President Xi Jinping and Trump. Rubio described his meeting with Wang as a positive one, saying that it is important for the United States and China to have regular engagements and communications. "So, we felt good about it. We thought it was very constructive and hopefully, we are able to build on that, and bring stability to our relationship and benefit the world in that case," he added. Both leaders are presently attending the 58th AMM that will end on Friday (July 11) evening. The hour-long meeting between Rubio and Wang ended at 4.20pm. Bilateral ties between China and the US have been strained since Trump took office and announced a slew of retaliatory tariffs.
