Latest news with #ASEANSecretariat
Barnama
6 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
ASEAN Sec-Gen Hails ‘Twin Successes' Of 46th Summit With Vision 2045, Timor-Leste Admission
By Mohd Iswandi Kasan Anuar JAKARTA, May 28 (Bernama) -- ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn on Wednesday hailed the 46th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur as a success, citing the adoption of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and progress toward Timor-Leste's full membership as landmark outcomes. Held under Malaysia's 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship themed 'Inclusivity and Sustainability', the two-day summit embodied the spirit of ASEAN's collective aspirations, he said. Kao highlighted the 'twin successes' of the summit - the launch of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 with four strategic plans, and the consensus to admit Timor-Leste as ASEAN's 11th full member, with formal induction expected at the October summit. 'Leaders reached consensus on Timor-Leste's full membership during the summit's retreat session,' he said, noting that a dedicated Timor-Leste unit has been established within the ASEAN Secretariat to support the accession process. He made the remarks during a briefing on the summit's outcomes—including the 2nd ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and the ASEAN-GCC-China Summit—attended by the diplomatic corps and media at the ASEAN Headquarters. Reflecting on the overall outcome, Kao said the summit was successful in terms of participation, substance, and organisation, achieving its intended goals, with a total of 22 outcome documents adopted during the summits. On internal challenges, Kao said ASEAN leaders engaged in 'frank and candid' discussions, particularly regarding the crisis in Myanmar and regional economic pressures. 'External meetings with China and the GCC also emphasised trust-building both within the region and with external partners,' he stressed.
The Sun
7 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Malaysia's leadership under PM Anwar strengthens ASEAN cooperation
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's leadership under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has been a unique strength in bringing ASEAN leaders together to discuss and address regional issues collaboratively. ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) Malaysia chair Tan Sri Nazir Razak said that amid a sea change of leaders across ASEAN, Anwar seems very well connected with all of them. 'He (Anwar) is like the one person who's very close to all (ASEAN country leaders), and we look to that unique ability to bring them together so that we can close on some key decisions, such as bringing down non-tariff barriers, greater empowerment to the ASEAN Secretariat and policy changes. 'It can be done, but you need leaders, and sometimes they need to spend that political capital to get things done,' he said in a press conference at the ASEAN Business Forum 2025 Curtain Raiser here today. Nazir added that he is optimistic about ASEAN now, as the region currently has a new momentum. He said the external environment has given it more of a push, hence the ASEAN chairmanship is expected to produce many positive outcomes. According to a joint statement by the organisers, ASEAN Business Forum 2025, organised by CGS International Securities Malaysia Sdn Bhd in collaboration with MBSB Bhd and OCBC Group, will be held at the St Regis Hotel on May 29 in conjunction with the 46th ASEAN Summit 2025 and the ASEAN-GCC-China Summit 2025. Co-hosted with the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and ASEAN-BAC Malaysia, the forum is expected to draw more than 500 attendees, comprising over 200 foreign and local corporates, policymakers and corporate captains representing the region's largest companies of over RM1 trillion in market capitalisation. 'A key highlight of the forum is the corporate engagement and business exchange session designed to drive real business collaboration between pre-screened and pre-selected matching parties from the top 25 corporations and investors across ASEAN and China. 'It will also feature more than 20 speakers and panellists for discussions and closed-door meetings between investors and policy makers, all focused on addressing challenges and catalysing opportunities for high-value deals and strategic partnerships for regional economic growth,' it said.
The Sun
26-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
ASEAN 2045: A blueprint for peace, growth and opportunity for nearly 700 million people
KUALA LUMPUR: The ASEAN Community Vision (ACV) 2045, adopted by regional leaders at the 46th ASEAN Summit, sets out a bold and forward-looking roadmap that places the people of ASEAN at the heart of regional integration and development for the next two decades. It promises a more peaceful, stable and secure region, while ensuring that ASEAN citizens are part of a cohesive and inclusive community that values diversity, promotes human rights and upholds social justice. According to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on ASEAN 2045 released today, the Vision affirms ASEAN's aspiration to become a prosperous single market powered by a highly-skilled, innovation-driven and inclusive workforce. 'The people of ASEAN are expected to benefit from greater employment opportunities, quality jobs, mobility of skilled labour and talents, and a thriving regional economic ecosystem built on science, technology and innovation. 'The Vision also highlights access to a secure and trusted digital space and growth driven by the green and blue economy,' according to the document. The document further outlines improved intra-ASEAN connectivity, ease of travel and business, the use of local currencies for cross-border transactions, and access to resilient healthcare systems. Importantly, it ensures equitable access to opportunities, particularly for women, youth and children, enabling their meaningful participation in decision-making processes. 'For ASEAN's external partners, ACV 2045 opens the door to strategic cooperation with a dynamic and resilient regional bloc committed to peace, stability and sustainable development. 'It presents opportunities for collaboration on global issues such as climate change, non-traditional security threats, and economic governance,' it said. The document said that external stakeholders stand to gain from enhanced trade, investment and innovation partnerships, deeper defence and security engagements, and the sharing of best practices in regional integration. The Vision also reaffirms ASEAN's role as a credible and united voice in global affairs, particularly under the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP). Southeast Asian leaders today adopted the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future during the 46th ASEAN Summit held in Kuala Lumpur. Through the Declaration, ASEAN leaders adopted the ACV 2045 along with all its associated Strategic Plans. They also reaffirmed their commitment to ensure the timely and effective implementation of the Vision through coordinated efforts by relevant ASEAN Organs and Bodies. The leaders encouraged the support and contribution of external stakeholders in realising the Vision, while also mandating ASEAN Ministers and the ASEAN Secretariat to mobilise resources from within and outside the region. In addition, the Leaders agreed to intensify efforts to strengthen ASEAN's institutional capacity and effectiveness, including reinforcing the role of the ASEAN Secretariat to support implementation and coordination across sectors and pillars. They also tasked the ASEAN secretary-general to monitor and report on the progress of ACV 2045's implementation annually through the ASEAN Coordinating Council and respective Community Councils.
The Sun
26-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
ASEAN 2045 blueprint aims for peace, growth and opportunity
KUALA LUMPUR: The ASEAN Community Vision (ACV) 2045, adopted by regional leaders at the 46th ASEAN Summit, sets out a bold and forward-looking roadmap that places the people of ASEAN at the heart of regional integration and development for the next two decades. It promises a more peaceful, stable and secure region, while ensuring that ASEAN citizens are part of a cohesive and inclusive community that values diversity, promotes human rights and upholds social justice. According to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on ASEAN 2045 released today, the Vision affirms ASEAN's aspiration to become a prosperous single market powered by a highly-skilled, innovation-driven and inclusive workforce. 'The people of ASEAN are expected to benefit from greater employment opportunities, quality jobs, mobility of skilled labour and talents, and a thriving regional economic ecosystem built on science, technology and innovation. 'The Vision also highlights access to a secure and trusted digital space and growth driven by the green and blue economy,' according to the document. The document further outlines improved intra-ASEAN connectivity, ease of travel and business, the use of local currencies for cross-border transactions, and access to resilient healthcare systems. Importantly, it ensures equitable access to opportunities, particularly for women, youth and children, enabling their meaningful participation in decision-making processes. 'For ASEAN's external partners, ACV 2045 opens the door to strategic cooperation with a dynamic and resilient regional bloc committed to peace, stability and sustainable development. 'It presents opportunities for collaboration on global issues such as climate change, non-traditional security threats, and economic governance,' it said. The document said that external stakeholders stand to gain from enhanced trade, investment and innovation partnerships, deeper defence and security engagements, and the sharing of best practices in regional integration. The Vision also reaffirms ASEAN's role as a credible and united voice in global affairs, particularly under the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP). Southeast Asian leaders today adopted the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future during the 46th ASEAN Summit held in Kuala Lumpur. Through the Declaration, ASEAN leaders adopted the ACV 2045 along with all its associated Strategic Plans. They also reaffirmed their commitment to ensure the timely and effective implementation of the Vision through coordinated efforts by relevant ASEAN Organs and Bodies. The leaders encouraged the support and contribution of external stakeholders in realising the Vision, while also mandating ASEAN Ministers and the ASEAN Secretariat to mobilise resources from within and outside the region. In addition, the Leaders agreed to intensify efforts to strengthen ASEAN's institutional capacity and effectiveness, including reinforcing the role of the ASEAN Secretariat to support implementation and coordination across sectors and pillars. They also tasked the ASEAN secretary-general to monitor and report on the progress of ACV 2045's implementation annually through the ASEAN Coordinating Council and respective Community Councils.
Barnama
26-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Kuala Lumpur Declaration Sets Long-term Strategic Direction Of ASEAN
GENERAL KUALA LUMPUR, May 26 (Bernama) -- Southeast Asian leaders today adopted the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future, setting a foundation to guide the region's development and cooperation over the next two decades. The declaration, endorsed during the 46th ASEAN Summit here, represents a significant milestone in the bloc's commitment to building a more resilient, innovative, dynamic and people-centred regional community. It also succeeds the current ASEAN 2025: Forging Ahead Together vision adopted in 2015. According to the Declaration, ASEAN member states reaffirmed their collective resolve to enhance regional unity, promote inclusive and sustainable development and strengthen institutional capacity to respond effectively to existing and future megatrends. The document also envisions ASEAN as the epicentre of growth in the Indo-Pacific region, with a strong emphasis on regional solidarity, a shared identity and equitable access to economic opportunities among its people. 'We underscore the importance of enhancing ASEAN's resilience and promoting collective, efficient, effective and innovative responses to regional and global challenges and future shocks, which would help secure the future of ASEAN and its peoples,' the Declaration stated. Among the key decisions made under the Declaration is the formal adoption of the ASEAN Community Vision (ACV) 2045 and its accompanying strategic plans across four pillars, namely Political-Security, Economic, Socio-Cultural, and Connectivity The leaders agreed that the Declaration, as well as the ACV 2045 and its strategic plans shall comprise the ASEAN 2045. They also reiterated their commitment to enhancing ASEAN's institutional capacity and effectiveness, including reforms to enhance the capacity of the ASEAN Secretariat.
