Latest news with #AseanOutlook
Business Times
27-05-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Asean, Gulf bloc, China can work closely on trade and investment, energy, digital economy: PM Wong
[KUALA LUMPUR] In a turbulent world, Asean, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and China can do more to promote trade and investment, as well as advance common interests in energy transition and the digital economy, Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said on Tuesday (May 27). The three partners can work on concrete projects under the Asean Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, he added. At the second Asean-GCC Summit in Kuala Lumpur, PM Wong said that Asean and the Gulf bloc should strengthen their ties, with the global environment now much more uncertain than at the inaugural summit two years ago. Wtih relations 'boosted' by the 2023 Framework of Cooperation, the two blocs can build on this to 'forge even closer links', he said, suggesting three areas of focus. One area is trade and investment, including a possible Asean-GCC free trade agreement (FTA). Singapore was the first non-Middle Eastern country to ink an FTA with the GCC, with upgrades now being discussed, noted PM Wong. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 8.30 am Asean Business Business insights centering on South-east Asia's fast-growing economies. Sign Up Sign Up This deal can serve as a pathfinder for a wider region-to-region FTA, he said: 'Such an FTA will lower tariffs, strengthen supply chains, promote food security and enhance investment flows between our regions.' He also suggested exploring collaboration between the GCC and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which would connect the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific. Combined, both groupings represent a 'significant' 35 per cent of the world's GDP, he noted. While an FTA between RCEP and GCC would be very complex, a formal partnership would facilitate trade and investment while helping to uphold key principles of the rules-based trading system, he added. In a separate summit with the GCC and China, PM Wong noted Asean's existing FTA with China – with a '3.0' upgrade due later this year – and added: 'It is natural to extend these linkages towards a trilateral FTA between China, Asean and the GCC in due course.' Asean and Gulf Cooperation Council leaders meet for their second summit PHOTO: CMG Second, the energy transition is another area of common interest. PM Wong welcomed the GCC's support for the Asean Power Grid, from investing in and financing grid infrastructure, to sharing knowledge on cross-border energy transmission. 'As Asean's demand for clean energy grows, there will also be opportunities for cooperation with the GCC on this front,' he added. Third, Asean could consider a digital partnership with the GCC, once it concludes its own Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) this year. The Asean agreement will provide a basis for the bloc to engage external partners in this domain, noted PM Wong. 'We welcome further cooperation with the GCC on the enablers of the digital economy – including in cybersecurity, data governance and cross-border data flows.' At the Asean-GCC-China Summit, PM Wong said that Asean hopes to leverage the expertise of both the GCC and China to support the Asean Power Grid and DEFA. 'This will help all our regions to harness the potential of technological advances, and to meet our shared goal of a sustainable future,' he said. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong meeting Chinese Premier Li Qiang ahead of a gala dinner on Monday PHOTO: LAWRENCE WONG X At the Asean-GCC Summit, PM Wong also broached the issue of Palestine, saying: 'Between the GCC and Asean, we have always stood for an approach of engagement and dialogue to uphold peace and stability, and this is very important as we confront the ongoing conflicts in the world.' 'Singapore continues, and joins colleagues around the table, to call for an immediate ceasefire and the return of the remaining hostages.' Later, at a wrap-up interview with Singapore media, he added that the humanitarian disaster in Gaza is 'the result of Israel going too far in its actions'. 'A ceasefire is still not enough, because even after a ceasefire – you can have a ceasefire for a few days, a few weeks, a few months, even years – violence can still recur again.' He called for all parties to comply with international law, including international humanitarian law, and reiterated Singapore's longstanding support for a negotiated two-state solution. Bilateral meetings At the sidelines of the summit, PM Wong met the Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani for the first time since he became prime minister in 2024. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong (left) with the Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. PHOTO: MDDI They first met in 2017 when PM Wong was minister in attendance during the emir's state visit to Singapore. In a social media post on Tuesday, PM Wong said: 'I look forward to working closely with His Highness to further deepen our multifaceted cooperation – as we navigate an increasingly complex and challenging global landscape together.' Prime Minister Lawrence Wong (left) with Bahrain Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. PHOTO: MDDI Separately, he also met Bahrain Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. Noting that Singapore and Bahrain are small island states of about the same land size, PM Wong said: 'We share a similar outlook – always trying to find relevance and add value to the world.' Both countries have much to gain from the mutual sharing of experiences and best practices, he said, adding that he looks forward to working together to enhance their partnership. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong with King of Malaysia Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar PHOTO: BERNAMA PM Wong and his counterparts were also hosted to a royal luncheon by King of Malaysia Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar. In another social media post, he called the sultan a 'longstanding friend of Singapore', adding that it was a pleasure to see him again following their last meeting in January. PM Wong also thanked him for his steadfast support for the strong and enduring ties between the two countries.
Business Times
26-05-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Asean must strengthen external ties in new growth areas, even as integration continues: PM Wong
[KUALA LUMPUR] Asean must deepen and expand its external partnerships, especially in new growth areas, even as it steps up its own internal integration, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Monday (May 26). Doing so will help the bloc build a more secure, stable and prosperous region amid an increasingly challenging environment, he said on the first day of the 46th Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur. Noting that Asean was formed at the height of the Cold War, PM Wong said that while the circumstances are different, today's great power rivalry feels like a 'new Cold War'. The bloc must therefore strengthen its integration to ensure it has 'the manoeuvring space and the agency to continue charting our own destiny forward'. To achieve this, Asean must demonstrate value to its partners and reinforce its centrality, he said, suggesting three ways to do so. Strengthening external partnerships The first is to deepen its engagement with existing partners. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 8.30 am Asean Business Business insights centering on South-east Asia's fast-growing economies. Sign Up Sign Up In the region, this includes China, Japan, South Korea and India. Further abroad, the European Union, Australia, New Zealand and Canada are also 'very keen to do more with Asean', said PM Wong. The bloc should engage them, particularly in new growth areas like the digital and green economy, he added. Asean leaders and Timor-Leste Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao (far right) meet in Kuala Lumpur for the first day of the Asean Summit. PHOTO: CMG Second, Asean should explore new partnerships as Asia remains at the centre of global growth 'despite all the issues that we face in the world'. 'We are still a region of tremendous dynamism and vitality, and there are many countries that would like to engage South-east Asia in a bigger way,' he said. Even if some of these countries may not be ready to become formal partners, Asean should engage them 'in specific areas where there is mutual interest', he said. The bloc should also explore 'flexible configurations' for cooperation, as it is doing with the Gulf Cooperation Council countries: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Third, Asean should enhance the value of its existing platforms, said PM Wong. One way to do this is to implement the Asean Outlook on the Indo-Pacific in 'concrete and practical terms'. 'This can help forge habits of consultation and cooperation, manage differences and prevent outright conflict,' said PM Wong. He added that this must especially be done through the East Asia Summit, which brings together all the major powers with interests in the region. 'Although these platforms cannot solve all the issues, they help to foster collaboration and dialogue,' he said.
New Straits Times
26-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Asean leaders push for women's bigger role in nation-building
KUALA LUMPUR: Asean leaders have called for greater involvement of women in the region's nation-building efforts, says Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul. Speaking at a press conference today, he said Malaysian women had made significant strides in certain sectors, particularly the public service and education. "Women account for more than 50 per cent of the workforce in the public and education sectors, and at universities, female students significantly outnumber their male counterparts," he added. Johari was addressing the media following the Asean Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (Aipa) interface chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. However, despite this progress, Johari said that women's representation in other areas, especially politics, remained limited compared to several other countries. "This is an area where we aim to make progress — by increasing the participation of young women and encouraging them to be more active," he added. The interface, held in conjunction with the 46th Asean Summit, reaffirmed the strong commitment of Asean member states and Aipa parliaments to deepening cooperation in building an inclusive, sustainable, and people-centred Asean. In a separate statement, the Parliament office said that Aipa recognised the importance of empowering all segments of society, with particular focus on women and youth. It said recent engagements — including the 4th Meeting of the Coordinating Committee of Women Parliamentarians of Aipa (Waipa) and the 2nd Consultative Meeting of Young Parliamentarians of Aipa (YPA) — reinforced the need for gender-balanced representation and forward-looking policies to strengthen the region. On the economic and environmental front, Aipa stressed the importance of enhanced legislative support to accelerate digital integration, promote sustainable technological infrastructure, and encourage green finance and investment. It welcomed ongoing initiatives such as the Asean Digital Integration Framework and reaffirmed its commitment to tackling non-traditional security challenges including climate change, food security, and energy resilience. In line with the Asean Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, Aipa reiterated its firm support for peace, respect for international law, and regional stability. It called for continued dialogue and diplomacy to address geopolitical challenges in areas such as Myanmar, the South China Sea, Gaza, and Ukraine. Aipa members of parliament also urged governments and legislatures to move forward in unity towards building a peaceful, inclusive, and resilient Asean, where development is equitable and all voices contribute to shaping the region's shared future.
