Latest news with #ASEANSecretariat
Barnama
11 hours ago
- Climate
- Barnama
ASEAN Disaster Simulation Exercise Begins Amid Typhoon Wipha
File photo of ARDEX-25 held in Yogyakarta in August 2023. Photo credit: ASEAN Secretariat, Jakarta. By Vijian Paramasivam PHNOM PENH, July 21 (Bernama) -- ASEAN disaster management officials began conducting a simulation exercise on Monday to review standard operating procedures (SOPs) and improve the region's preparedness to face crises. This year's ASEAN Regional Disaster Emergency Response Simulation Exercise (ARDEX-25) is taking place against the backdrop of Typhoon Wipha having lashed parts of the Southeast Asian region since Sunday. bootstrap slideshow The exercise is jointly organised by Cambodia's National Committee on Disaster Management (NCDM) and the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management. ARDEX is a full-scale exercise held biennially to test ASEAN's disaster preparedness and emergency response mechanisms. The activities include preparation processes, search and rescue operations, impact assessment, and national-level immediate response strategies linked to ASEAN, to save the lives of disaster victims. Typhoon Wipha made landfall in the Philippines and northern Vietnam over the weekend, causing panic and destruction of houses. Outside the region, China, Taiwan, Macau, and Hong Kong have also suffered from Typhoon Wipha, which has unleashed heavy rainfall and disrupted flight schedules. ARDEX-25 is held from July 21 to 24 at the Special Forces Command Headquarters of the Royal Cambodian Army Force base in the Kandal province.
Barnama
6 days ago
- 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.
BusinessToday
14-07-2025
- Politics
- BusinessToday
ASEAN Regional Forum Reinforces Security Cooperation Amid Global Tensions
Foreign Ministers from across the Asia-Pacific reaffirmed their commitment to regional peace and stability at the 32nd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) held in Kuala Lumpur on July 11, amid mounting global challenges ranging from geopolitical tensions to humanitarian crises. Chaired by Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, the meeting underscored the ARF's role as the region's primary platform for constructive political-security dialogue, calling for deeper cooperation, preventive diplomacy and a renewed focus on ASEAN Centrality, in line with the chairmanship theme, 'Inclusivity and Sustainability'. Ministers addressed a wide range of security concerns, including North Korea's missile provocations, maritime disputes in the South China Sea and ongoing violence in Myanmar. The ARF also urged the complete denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula and emphasised the importance of peaceful dialogue and compliance with the United Nations Security Council resolutions. The meeting also highlighted growing threats from cybercrime, terrorism, climate change and transnational crime, calling for cross-sectoral coordination and enhanced capacity-building across ARF platforms. Maritime issues such as piracy and marine pollution were flagged as persistent concerns, with ministers welcoming ongoing cooperation under ASEAN-led frameworks. On Myanmar, the ARF reiterated support for the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus, called for an immediate cessation of violence and commended the efforts of the ASEAN Chair's Special Envoy in promoting inclusive dialogue. Ministers also expressed alarm over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the Russia-Ukraine conflict and rising tensions in the Middle East, urging adherence to international law and renewed diplomatic efforts to achieve lasting peace. Looking ahead, the ARF agreed to develop a new post-2025 Plan of Action aligned with the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, and supported updating the ARF Vision Statement to ensure continued relevance in an evolving security landscape. The meeting concluded with support for the Philippines as the next ARF Chair in 2026, and acknowledgment of the ASEAN Secretariat's work in fostering transparency through the Annual Security Outlook and inter-sessional initiatives. Related
The Sun
12-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
ASEAN strengthens global partnerships with AOIP and TAC in Kuala Lumpur
KUALA LUMPUR: The ASEAN Foreign Ministers have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the bloc's global partnerships by leveraging existing mechanisms such as the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC). The decision was made during the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) held recently, reflecting ASEAN's dedication to maintaining consistency in its external relations amid shifting geopolitical dynamics. The ministers emphasised the need to shift focus from quantity to strategic value in partnerships, ensuring alignment with ASEAN's long-term priorities. 'ASEAN must continue upholding its centrality and role as the primary driving force in managing relations with external partners,' the ministers agreed. This includes reviewing the moratorium on new Dialogue Partnerships, initiated in 2021, to ensure coherence with ASEAN Community Vision 2045. A key outcome of the meeting was the directive for the ASEAN Secretariat to prepare a comprehensive Assessment Paper on ASEAN's Formal Partnerships. This document will serve as a strategic guide for future engagements, ensuring they remain grounded in ASEAN's principles as outlined in the ASEAN Charter and TAC. The review process will adopt an action-oriented approach, covering all three pillars of the ASEAN Community and the ASEAN Connectivity agenda. The findings will be presented at a future AMM for further deliberation. - Bernama
The Sun
11-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
ASEAN reaffirms commitment to Timor-Leste membership by 2025
KUALA LUMPUR: ASEAN has reiterated its commitment to admitting Timor-Leste as its 11th member by 2025, as confirmed during the 47th ASEAN Summit preparations. The bloc emphasised its support for Timor-Leste's early accession to key economic agreements to ensure seamless integration. Foreign ministers, in a joint communique issued after the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting, acknowledged Timor-Leste's active role as an Observer and its dedication to fulfilling membership criteria. '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 noted. The ministers also praised Timor-Leste's progress in aligning domestic policies with ASEAN frameworks, urging further institutional strengthening. 'We encouraged Timor-Leste to continue accelerating its institutional capacities and deepening engagement with all ASEAN Sectoral Bodies,' the communique stated. ASEAN highlighted the importance of Timor-Leste's contributions to the ASEAN 2045 vision, emphasising resilience and sustainability. The operationalisation of the Timor-Leste Unit at the ASEAN Secretariat was welcomed as a key step in monitoring integration efforts. The bloc called for sustained support from member states to ensure a smooth transition for Timor-Leste post-accession. - Bernama
