Latest news with #58thAseanDayCelebration
The Star
11 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
Asean reaffirms neutrality, sustainability, and unity amid global uncertainty
JAKARTA (Bernama-Xinhua): Member states of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean) are striving to uphold neutrality, promote diplomacy, and accelerate sustainability efforts amid intensifying global tensions and environmental challenges, Asean Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn said on Friday. Speaking at the 58th Asean Day Celebration, held under the theme "Toward an Inclusive and Sustainable Asean Future" at the Asean Secretariat Office in Jakarta, Kao emphasised that Asean's principled neutrality and commitment to dialogue can serve as a stabilising force in a volatile world. "In uncertain times, we must remain a steady and stabilising force, offering space for honest dialogue, practical cooperation, and principled neutrality, where differences can be bridged and solutions be found," he said. "Even amid tensions close to home, we are guided by the belief that diplomacy and dialogue pave the way to a lasting peace," Kao noted. He said that beyond geopolitics, the region faces urgent environmental challenges. Climate change, natural disasters, and resource scarcity are already profoundly affecting Asean countries. In response, Asean is advancing several major initiatives, including long-standing cooperation on transboundary haze, the establishment of the Asean Centre for Climate Change in Brunei Darussalam, efforts to build a regional power grid known as the Asean Power Grid, and accelerating a renewable energy transition. "These reflect a growing resolve to confront the climate crisis together. Sustainability also encompasses economic resilience, diversifying supply chains, enhancing food and energy security, and building smart, green infrastructure that will support future generations," he said. "Asean cannot afford to treat sustainability as an abstract ideal or a future concern. It must be a concrete, urgent strategy embedded in everything we do," he added. Representing President Prabowo Subianto at the celebration, Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono reiterated Indonesia's commitment to strengthening Asean as a peaceful, resilient, innovative, and people-oriented region. He said that unity is key to Asean's strength amid current geopolitical rivalries, stressing that disputes must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. - Xinhua
The Star
18 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
Asean reaffirms neutrality, sustainability, unity amid global uncertainty
JAKARTA: Member states of Asean are striving to uphold neutrality, promote diplomacy, and accelerate sustainability efforts amid intensifying global tensions and environmental challenges, Asean Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn (pic) said on Friday (Aug 8). Speaking at the 58th Asean Day Celebration, held under the theme "Toward an Inclusive and Sustainable Asean Future" at the Asean Secretariat Office in Jakarta, Kao emphasised that Asean's principled neutrality and commitment to dialogue can serve as a stabilising force in a volatile world. "In uncertain times, we must remain a steady and stabilising force, offering space for honest dialogue, practical cooperation and principled neutrality, where differences can be bridged and solutions be found," he said. "Even amid tensions close to home, we are guided by the belief that diplomacy and dialogue pave the way to a lasting peace," Kao noted. He said that beyond geopolitics, the region faces urgent environmental challenges. Climate change, natural disasters, and resource scarcity are already profoundly affecting Asean countries. In response, Asean is advancing several major initiatives, including long-standing cooperation on transboundary haze, the establishment of the Asean Centre for Climate Change in Brunei Darussalam, efforts to build a regional power grid known as the Asean Power Grid, and accelerating a renewable energy transition. "These reflect a growing resolve to confront the climate crisis together. Sustainability also encompasses economic resilience, diversifying supply chains, enhancing food and energy security, and building smart, green infrastructure that will support future generations," he said. "Asean can not afford to treat sustainability as an abstract ideal or a future concern. It must be a concrete, urgent strategy embedded in everything we do," he added. Representing President Prabowo Subianto at the celebration, Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono reiterated Indonesia's commitment to strengthen Asean as a peaceful, resilient, innovative, and people-oriented region. He said that unity is key to Asean's strength amid current geopolitical rivalries, stressing that disputes must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. - Xinhua
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Palestine must be free without conditions, says Tok Mat
CYBERJAYA: Malaysia wants to see the formation of an independent Palestine without any of the preconditions, as set out in the recent New York Declaration. Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said there were no inclusive discussions on the declaration despite 122 United Nations member states endorsing it. "This is because 122 countries supported the resolution at the United Nations, including Malaysia. "But when it came to the outcome, there was no inclusive discussion involving all UN member states, whether those that supported or opposed the resolution. "We found that from the outcome, there were attachments and preconditions introduced for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. "That is what makes us uncomfortable. Because we want a fully independent Palestinian state, full stop. No attachments, no conditions," he said to reporters at the sidelines of the 58th Asean Day Celebration here today. Mohamad said the declaration's attachments and preconditions were introduced after a roundtable discussion with about seven or eight countries Yesterday, Mohamad said in the Dewan Rakyat that Malaysia was "uneasy" with several conditions attached to the New York Declaration as they contradicted the country's foreign policy. Mohamad said Palestine should gain independence first. "After that, whoever governs Palestine is their right to decide.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Anwar says Asean unity helped secure Thailand-Cambodia ceasefire
CYBERJAYA: A ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia was achieved with the full support of all Asean leaders, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. In his speech at the 58th Asean Day Celebration, Anwar said he was able to broker the ceasefire with the help of his colleagues and Asean leaders. "I would like to recognise the support mandated by my friends, the Sultan of Brunei, presidents, prime ministers in Asean, who had continuously given full support and endorsement. This is a remarkable thing. "I was able to do that with Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and colleagues because of the solidarity, commitment, trust, friendship, and brotherhood of all Asean leaders. "Every time I spoke to the Prime Minister of Thailand or of Cambodia, I always told them, 'Look, I had this mandate and the support of all my Asean colleagues'. "Therefore, that gave an added strength to what I had to say. And they naturally had to consider it very seriously. "And that's why I think the credit goes to Asean, and I think this is a good beginning. It bodes well for the future of Asean in terms of attaining the geopolitical strategy," he said. Anwar said US President Donald Trump and China were also supporting this effort and recognised the role of the Asean chair and Asean in general. He added that the US and China had committed to providing logistics, but were leaving it entirely to the bilateral understanding between Thailand and Cambodia, with Malaysia as the moderator. "And when necessary, all Asean leaders have given their commitment that, if necessary, they will give their own support and do whatever is necessary to ensure that we secure a lasting peace between Cambodia and Thailand," he said. He also expressed gratitude to the Armed Forces Chief, who played a key role. "It's not just the Prime Minister or foreign minister; it is the army and the relationship, the trust among both our armed forces and Asean leaders that is remarkable. "And it is because of that level of trust and confidence that we're able to continue, not only to secure an understanding. "I was told that in the history of ceasefires in the world, in the past many decades, if not centuries, this was probably the first ceasefire that worked fast and effectively," he said. At the Extraordinary General Border Committee (GBC) Meeting between Thailand and Cambodia yesterday, both sides reached a consensus on five key issues, including a mutual agreement to strictly monitor the ceasefire, covering all forms of attacks and weaponry. On July 28, a special meeting brokered by Anwar in his capacity as the current Asean chair was held at the Seri Perdana Complex in Putrajaya. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai attended the meeting. This was their first face-to-face meeting since tensions erupted between the two neighbours on July 24.
