Latest news with #AseanCommunity
The Star
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Lao, Malaysian leaders call for stronger Asean ties amid ongoing border tension
FILE PHOTO: Malaysia Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim greeting Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, as he arrives at the 46th Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on May 26, 2025. —Photo Courtesy of Foreign Ministry VIENTIANE: Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone held a telephone conversation with his Malaysian counterpart Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on July 25 to exchange views on pressing regional developments, particularly the Thai-Cambodian border tension. The two leaders also discussed ways to deepen bilateral ties and enhance cooperation within the Asean framework. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, whose country is the current Chair of Asean for 2025, briefed his Lao counterpart on the outcome of a special meeting held between Cambodia and Thailand in Putrajaya, Malaysia, on July 28. The meeting was initiated and facilitated by Malaysia in its capacity as Asean Chair, with the aim of easing tensions and encouraging dialogue between the two neighbouring countries regarding their border dispute. Prime Minister Sonexay expressed appreciation for Malaysia's timely and constructive diplomatic efforts in convening the meeting. He praised Prime Minister Anwar's leadership in fostering dialogue and peaceful engagement, which he described as being in line with the core principles of Asean. He stressed that Laos, as a neighbouring country with close ties to both Cambodia and Thailand, is deeply concerned about the situation and supports all peaceful efforts to resolve the issue. The prime minister emphasised the importance of all parties exercising maximum restraint, avoiding the use of force, and working together through appropriate diplomatic and regional channels. He underscored the need to preserve peace and stability, not only between Cambodia and Thailand, but also within the broader Asean region. In addition to regional security issues, the two prime ministers discussed relations between Laos and Malaysia. The two sides acknowledged the positive momentum in their cooperation across various fields and agreed to further promote collaboration, particularly in trade, investment and customs facilitation. They also exchanged views on broader regional and international issues of mutual interest, recognising the need for greater economic integration and policy coordination among Asean member states. Prime Minister Sonexay reaffirmed Laos' commitment to supporting Malaysia's Asean chairmanship and expressed confidence that under Malaysia's leadership, Asean would continue to advance its goals of regional peace, unity, and sustainable development. He said Laos stands ready to work closely with Malaysia and all Asean partners to strengthen the Asean Community and uphold the region's shared commitment to dialogue, cooperation, and mutual respect. The telephone conversation reflects the two countries' shared desire to maintain close contact concerning regional affairs and demonstrates their ongoing efforts to support Asean's role as a platform for peace and cooperation in South-East Asia. - Vientiane Times/ANN
New Straits Times
28-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Anwar begins Jakarta visit for key talks with Prabowo
JAKARTA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is undertaking a two-day working visit to Jakarta today to attend the 13th Annual Consultation with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. This marks the first consultation between the two leaders since each assumed leadership of their respective countries. Key agenda items include continuing discussions on outstanding issues, as well as addressing regional matters requiring Malaysia's attention as Asean Chair this year. The Prime Minister is accompanied by Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg; Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor; Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan; Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail; Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz; and Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek. Malaysia's Ambassador to Indonesia, Datuk Syed Mohamad Hasrin Tengku Hussin, said the Annual Consultation is the highest bilateral mechanism between Malaysia and Indonesia, aimed at strengthening strategic and comprehensive cooperation. He made the remarks during a media briefing here yesterday. Syed Mohamad Hasrin said the meeting has been held alternately between the two countries since 2006 and reflects a strong political commitment to enhance cooperation across multiple sectors including trade, food security, and education. "Both leaders are expected to exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual concern," he said. A joint statement will be issued at the end of the consultation session. The last Annual Consultation was held in 2017, making this a timely opportunity for both leaders to reinforce strategic ties and explore new areas of cooperation in the face of current regional and global challenges. Syed Mohamad Hasrin added that the two leaders will also witness the exchange of four Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) involving land boundary matters, health cooperation, and information and communications technology. During the visit, the prime minister is scheduled to visit the Asean Secretariat in Jakarta at the invitation of Asean secretary-general Dr Kao Kim Hourn. Anwar is also set to deliver a keynote address on Asean in the context of Malaysia's Asean Chairmanship in 2025, highlighting the country's continued commitment to regional integration and the building of the Asean Community. In 2024, Indonesia was Malaysia's sixth-largest trading partner globally and second-largest among Asean member states. Bilateral trade increased by 4.5 per cent from RM111.21 billion in 2023 to RM116.29 billion in 2024.
New Straits Times
09-07-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Asean countries must ensure smooth transition to Asean 2045 vision
KUALA LUMPUR: Asean member states must ensure a seamless transition from Asean 2025: Forging Ahead Together to Asean 2045: Our Shared Future, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. He said that two months ago, Asean leaders met and adopted Asean 2045: Our Shared Future, a new vision for the bloc that charts its direction for the next two decades. "The vision reaffirms that Asean's destiny lies in our own hands. Our future will not be shaped by external forces, but by our own collective resolve. As such, the work must begin now. "All Asean sectoral bodies, institutions and mechanisms should already be aligning their priorities to support the actions arising from our leaders' decision and the Asean 2045 vision," he said in his speech at the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting today. Mohamad added that as the bloc moves towards a more inclusive, sustainable, and future-oriented Asean Community, it must urgently address the existential threat posed by climate change. "We have witnessed first-hand the effects of rising temperatures, natural disasters, and extreme weather events in our region and among our peoples. Moving forward, we must take coordinated and urgent action to ensure our region remains adaptive and climate-resilient." Meanwhile, Mohamad said that since the last meeting, geopolitical fault lines have continued to widen, strategic trust has eroded, and global flashpoints have intensified. "In Europe, the war in Ukraine rages on, continuing to disrupt global markets and supply chains. "In Gaza, Israel's brutal starvation strategy continues unchecked. Emboldened by this impunity, Israel's endless violence has expanded to other countries in the Middle East, with its latest offensive attacks on Iran," he said, adding that Malaysia absolutely condemns these atrocities. Closer to home, Mohamad said the crisis in Myanmar continues to weigh heavily on Asean's conscience. "Despite Asean's sustained efforts, we have yet to see meaningful progress on the ground. Delayed peace in Myanmar prolongs the sufferings of the people and threatens the region's security. "As such, we urge the translation of proclamations of ceasefires into concrete actions, and we call on all stakeholders—particularly the SAC (Myanmar's State Administration Council), as the de facto party in power—to commit towards peace and the creation of a conducive environment for elections, in line with the aspirations of the people of Myanmar. "Asean will continue to support the path towards a Myanmar-owned and Myanmar-led peaceful resolution to the crisis in the country." Mohamad added that the world is witnessing the breakdown of humanity, as well as the erosion of moral and legal norms that once defined the global system. Multilateralism is under attack, while unilateralism and nationalism are on the rise. "In this fragmented world, Asean's unity and centrality are our capital. At a time where polarisation is trending, Asean must continue to leverage its convening power to promote dialogue, diplomacy and strategic trust, and to create space for cooperation. "The road ahead will not be easy. The external pressures on our unity will grow. The calls for us to take sides will get louder. The crises around the world may multiply. "Amid the uncertainty and unprecedented strain of global challenges, Asean must stand firm. Asean must be the beacon of hope, be the voice of reason, and continue to be a platform for cooperation and prosperity. "We must continue to invest and place our faith in regionalism and multilateralism. We must continue to champion the principles of justice, fairness, equality and humanity."
New Straits Times
27-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Kuala Lumpur Declaration charts Asean's future path
Iylia Marsya Iskandar, Qistina Sallehuddin KUALA LUMPUR: Asean leaders aim to adopt nine commitments under the Kuala Lumpur Declaration, including the continued pursuit of peace, security, and development in the region. According to Wisma Putra, other commitments in the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on Asean 2045: Our Shared Future include ensuring that the Asean Community continues to thrive and remains adaptive and responsive to the impacts and inherent opportunities of existing and future megatrends. The leaders also agreed to strengthen efforts to uphold Asean Centrality and to maintain an Asean-centred, open, inclusive, transparent, resilient, and rules-based regional architecture that upholds international law, including through Asean-led mechanisms. They reaffirmed their commitment to deepening and broadening cooperation with Asean's external partners, and to exploring cooperation with other interested parties through substantive, practical, and tangible collaboration on the four priority areas of the Asean Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), via Asean-led mechanisms. The leaders also pledged to ensure Asean's continued progress by reinforcing adherence to shared principles and commitments, strengthening institutional mechanisms, enhancing cross-pillar and cross-sectoral coordination, and proactively responding to challenges and opportunities. They reaffirmed their commitment to deepening economic integration, with the goal of becoming a single and future-ready economy that is nimble and resilient, anchored in sustainable growth and good governance. The vision includes building a globally competitive and seamlessly integrated single market by leveraging opportunities in the digital, green, and blue economies. Efforts will also be redoubled to enhance Asean connectivity, including advancing the Asean Power Grid, energy interconnection and multilateral power trade, and narrowing development gaps through inclusive, participatory, and equitable access to economic and socio-cultural opportunities. The leaders agreed to foster a stronger Asean identity and promote greater people-to-people connectivity through education, cultural exchanges, and social cooperation. They also committed to improving the quality of life and well-being of Asean peoples, ensuring no one is left behind. This includes strengthening social protection, enhancing health and nutrition, promoting inclusive and sustainable development, and advancing quality education and skills development for a future-ready Asean workforce. Finally, they agreed to continue integrating lessons learned from the implementation of Asean 2025: Forging Ahead Together as the region embarks on the next phase—realising Asean 2045: Our Shared Future—to effectively advance Asean Community-building over the next 20 years.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Championing digital innovation in Southeast Asia part of Asean 2045 master plan
Strengthening connectivity – including digital innovation – among Southeast Asian nations is embedded in the Asean Connectivity Strategic Plan. The plan is one of six key documents that form the Asean 2045: Our Shared Future roadmap. The other documents are the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on Asean 2045: Our Shared Future, the Asean Community Vision 2045, the Asean Political-Security Community Strategic Plan, the Asean Economic Community Strategic Plan 2026-2030, and the Asean Socio-Cultural Community Strategic Plan. According to the Asean Connectivity Strategic Plan, the strategic goal for digital innovation is to achieve 'a community with continuous digital innovation and enhanced cybersecurity, advancing payments and financial markets' connectivity and efficient cross-border flow of information.' As stated in the plan: 'Asean's digital economy is growing rapidly and to unlock the region's digital economic potential and promote digital inclusion, adopting and integrating frontier technologies – such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI) and big data – is essential.' 'While technologies and solutions offer significant benefits, their implementation poses challenges including the widening digital divide and increasing online safety and cybersecurity concerns, which will need to be addressed through advancing digital innovation, cross-border data flows, and promoting safe, inclusive access to and adoption of digital technologies and services.' To achieve these goals, several strategic measures have been identified. They include: Promoting digital data governance to support inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development across Asean. Promoting the development and accessibility of open data. Supporting the adoption of existing and emerging technologies by all people and businesses, with a focus on micro, small and medium enterprises, women, youth, and persons with disabilities to enhance competitiveness and productivity. Advancing seamless regional payments connectivity. Enhancing collaborative research and development of digital technology, including nurturing innovation and addressing digital divides. Strengthening cooperation on cybersecurity to protect digital ecosystems, enhance online safety, and combat online scams. Enhancing information inclusiveness and accessibility, and strengthening collaboration in digital media and information literacy to foster digital literacy among Asean citizens and address fake news, disinformation and misinformation. Strengthening and nurturing digital talent mobility within Asean. Prior to the ongoing Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia – as Asean Chair this year – would continue supporting the development of digitalisation and AI across Southeast Asia. He added that Malaysia's digital push was not only for domestic growth, but also aimed at building a strong, integrated regional ecosystem that benefits all Asean member states.
