Latest news with #AseanPlusThree
New Straits Times
29-07-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Asean cannot afford division, says Anwar
KUALA LUMPUR: Asean must remain united and resilient, as the success of its member states depends on the strength of the region, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He said in an era of rising polarisation, Asean must use its influence to promote dialogue, diplomacy and strategic trust, while creating genuine opportunities for cooperation. "The journey ahead will be fraught with challenges. Asean needs to do more to ensure its cohesiveness in both articulation and action as a clear manifestation of centrality. "We must also uphold our time-honoured geostrategic construct of Zopfan (the Asean Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality) ... and double down on Asean-led mechanisms, including the East Asia Summit, Asean Plus Three and Asean Regional Forum. "Asean cannot control the global currents, nor can we dictate terms to the world. Nonetheless, we can chart our own future for the better with courage, foresight and determination." "In doing so, we will ensure that the benefits of Asean integration are truly realised, bringing value to our people and future generations," he said in his policy speech on Asean, during his visit to the Asean Secretariat today.
The Star
26-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Vietnam stands at core of evolving Asean: Malaysian ambassador
HANOI: Vietnam continues to hold a central position in an ever-evolving Asean, Malaysian Ambassador to Vietnam Datuk Tan Yang Thai (pic) has said. Vietnam News Agency (VNA) in an interview with Tan in conjunction with 30th anniversary of Vietnam's accession to Asean, reported Tan highlighted Vietnam's prominent and active contributions to the Asean community-building process, especially during the bloc's transformation from a loosely structured regional organisation into a rules-based community. Vietnam made its mark early with the Hanoi Plan of Action in 1998, hosting the 6th Asean Summit, and leading the bloc's first formal workplan towards the Asean Vision 2020, he said. The country, which formally joined Asean on July 28, 1995, also strongly supported the establishment of key Asean mechanisms during this period, such as the Asean Plus Three, the East Asia Summit, and Asean Regional Forum, expanding the bloc's dialogue partnerships and global reach. He said notably, Vietnam's Chairmanship in 2020, during the peak of Covid-19, demonstrated its strong leadership in crisis diplomacy. For the first time in history, Vietnam hosted the Asean Summit virtually, alongside the establishment of the Asean Covid-19 Response Fund, and the implementation of coordinated regional recovery measures, demonstrating the bloc's solidarity and flexible response capability. After 30 years, Vietnam has evolved from a new entrant into a credible, constructive and consensus-building member of Asean, the diplomat said, noting that its performance reflects increasing confidence, growing diplomatic weight and a strong commitment to regional peace, prosperity, and shared identity - well aligned with the goals of the Asean Community Vision 2045. According to the ambassador, Vietnam has emerged as one of Asean's most dynamic economies, making significant contributions to Asean's global trade profile and serving as an attractive destination for foreign direct investment (FDI) in the region. Tan also highlighted the fruitful development in Vietnam-Malaysia bilateral relations in recent years, noting the recent upgrade of their ties to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership marks a timely and historic step. According to the ambassador, Malaysia has so far invested over US$13 billion in Vietnam through around 760 projects across sectors such as manufacturing, finance, real estate, securities and transport. Malaysian investors have shown strong interest in key destinations such as Hai Phong with its fast-growing seaport and industrial zones, as well as Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City. Convenient air connectivity has helped attract Malaysian tourists not only to Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, but also to destinations such as Da Nang, Nha Trang, Da Lat, Sa Pa, Cat Ba, and Phu Quoc. Conversely, Vietnamese travellers are also encouraged to visit Malaysia, especially in the lead-up to Visit Malaysia 2026. The two countries have signed many bilateral agreements and are working toward finalising a Plan of Action for the next five to 10 years to guide cooperation in strategic areas such as trade, technology, and energy. In 2024, two-way trade reached nearly US$18 billion. As an energy-producing nation, Malaysia complements Vietnam - a major energy consumer, especially in renewable energy, offering strong potential for mutually beneficial cooperation. Malaysia also plays a key role in the semiconductor supply chain, supporting Vietnam's manufacturing sector, as Vietnam emerges as a new production hub in Asia. With its young and dynamic workforce, Vietnam holds strong potential for attracting foreign direct investment (FDI). The Vietnam - Malaysia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership serves as a catalyst for realising the Asean Community Vision 2045, VNA quoted Tan said. He also suggesting strengthened bilateral cooperation in green energy trade and halal food supply chain between the two sides, towards scaling these initiatives across Asean. Aligning Vietnam's manufacturing strengths with Malaysia's market access and investment capacity will help build robust supply chain corridors, thus supporting Asean's goals for a digital and green economy by 2045, he added. - Bernama
The Star
12-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Malaysia eyes TVET expansion in Russia
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is keen to increase enrolment for Malaysian students, particularly for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes, in Russia. This was conveyed by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan during his bilateral meeting with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, held on the sidelines of the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting. Mohamad said that Malaysia and Russia also explored ways to enhance cooperation and ties in technical fields, as well as other areas of mutual interest. 'I expressed Malaysia's interest in securing more placements for our students, and Russia has agreed,' he told reporters after the meeting, Bernama reported. The two ministers also touched on broader regional cooperation, including Russia's potential signing of the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ). 'Russia is considering signing the SEANWFZ treaty with Asean and the documentation will be negotiated at the official level,' said Mohamad. Russia established relations with Asean in 1991. The country became a full-fledged dialogue partner in 1996. In 2018, the relationship was elevated to a strategic partnership. In his remarks at the Asean Plus Three meeting, Mohamad said rising unilateralism and nationalism are increasingly sidelining multilateral cooperation – a core pillar of global stability now under strain. 'Today, we are once again being tested. The region is facing what might be called the perfect storm. 'The challenges are multi-fold, ranging from intensifying great power rivalry, economic fragmentation, technological disruptions and transboundary threats.' Despite the difficulties, Mohamad expressed confidence in the region's ability to overcome them through 'collective steadfastness and strong commitment to dialogue and cooperation'. Established in 1997 to address the Asian financial crisis, the Asean Plus Three framework has since evolved into one of the region's most resilient models of cooperation. Meanwhile, Asean foreign ministers hailed the Asean-Canada Free Trade Agreement (Acafta) as a vital platform to unlock deeper economic collaboration in digital trade, artificial intelligence, green technology and clean energy. Wisma Putra said the sectors are seen as critical to the region's sustainable and inclusive growth. It said that ministers from across South-East Asia acknowledged the 'positive momentum' in ongoing Acafta negotiations. The deal, when concluded, is expected to serve as a key economic pillar within Canada's Indo-Pacific strategy, offering a framework to align regulations, foster innovation and enhance regional resilience.
The Star
10-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Asean facing a perfect storm of global challenges, says Mat Hasan
KUALA LUMPUR: Rising unilateralism and nationalism are increasingly sidelining multilateral cooperation – a core pillar of global stability now under strain, says Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. "Today, we are once again being tested. The region is facing what might be called the perfect storm," he said in remarks at an Asean Plus Three (APT) gathering here on Thursday (July 10). "The challenges are multi-fold, ranging from intensifying great power rivalry, economic fragmentation, technological disruptions and trans-boundary threats." Despite the difficulties, Mohamad expressed confidence in the region's ability to overcome them through "collective steadfastness and strong commitment to dialogue and cooperation." He pointed to recent developments that signal progress within the APT framework, including the endorsement of the Rapid Financing Facility (RFF) under the Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralisation (CMIM) and the momentum generated from leaders' statements on the Electric Vehicle Ecosystem (2023) and Regional Supply Chain Connectivity (2024). "These are not isolated achievements. They illustrate the APT's capacity to generate value, respond with agility and lead with foresight," he said. Looking ahead, Mohamad emphasised the need for APT to remain "agile, well-coordinated, and forward-looking," particularly in embracing frontier technologies. He said Asean's digital transformation is projected to contribute approximately US$2 trillion to regional gross domestic product (GDP), with China, Japan and South Korea playing a key role in technological expertise. "These initiatives align with Malaysia's objectives as Asean Chair to narrow development gaps, promote sustainable growth and foster peace through mutual trust and cooperation," he said. Mohamad also highlighted the strategic weight of the APT bloc, which collectively represents a population of 2.28 billion and a combined nominal GDP of around US$29.33 trillion, or 25.77% of global GDP. "This scale underscores the global relevance of our partnership and the responsibility we bear in ensuring regional stability and inclusive development," he said. Established in 1997 to address the Asian financial crisis, the APT framework has since evolved into one of the region's most resilient models of cooperation. "It is a hallmark of teamwork that is dependable and dynamic. "It enables us to consult, coordinate and cooperate not only in times of crisis, but also in our collective pursuit of sustained peace, inclusive growth and shared resilience in East Asia," he said.
New Straits Times
10-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Asean Plus Three's US$29 trillion economy shows global clout
KUALA LUMPUR: The Asean Plus Three grouping, representing a combined population of 2.28 billion and a total nominal gross domestic product (GDP) of about US$29.33 trillion — or 25.77 per cent of global GDP — underscores its strategic weight and global relevance. Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said this scale not only highlighted the region's economic strength, but also the shared responsibility borne by Asean Plus Three members, comprising the 10 Asean nations alongside China, Japan, and South Korea. "This shared responsibility includes safeguarding regional stability, promoting inclusive growth, and driving sustainable development. "As such, moving forward, Asean Plus Three must remain agile, well-coordinated, and forward-looking to ensure continued relevance and meaningful impact," he said during his opening remarks at the 26th Asean Plus Three Foreign Ministers' Meeting, held in conjunction with the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting and Related Meetings. Mohamad said that the grouping must also embrace frontier technologies. "Asean's regional digital transformation is projected to contribute around US$2 trillion to regional GDP. With the technological expertise of China, Japan, and South Korea, the potential returns are immense. "These efforts support Malaysia's objectives, as Asean Chair, to narrow development gaps, enable equitable development, promote sustainable growth, foster peace through mutual trust and cooperation, raise living standards and human capital, and strengthen social cohesion and participation in an inclusive and sustainable manner," he said. On the outcome of today's meeting, Mohamad said it reaffirmed the collective commitment to deepening cooperation as a driving force for peace, stability, and prosperity in East Asia. "Amid increasingly complex regional and global developments, the importance of platforms that promote dialogue and cooperation, such as this, has never been more evident." Established in 1997 to coordinate a regional response to the Asian financial crisis, Asean Plus Three has since weathered multiple challenges. "Through it all, we have stood firm, coordinated our responses, endured, and overcome adversity," Mohamad said. As a result, he said Asean Plus Three had evolved into one of the region's most enduring and reliable frameworks for cooperation. "It stands as a hallmark of teamwork — dependable, dynamic, and adept at navigating complex regional realities. It allows us to consult, coordinate, and cooperate not only in times of crisis, but also in our collective pursuit of lasting peace, inclusive growth, and shared resilience in East Asia." Mohamad said that the region was once again being tested. "We are facing what may be described as a perfect storm. The challenges are multifaceted, ranging from intensifying great power rivalries and economic fragmentation to technological disruptions and transboundary threats. "Unilateralism and nationalism are on the rise, marginalising multilateralism, which is essential to a stable global order. Nevertheless, I remain confident that with collective steadfastness and a strong commitment to dialogue and cooperation, we will once again prevail." He also pointed to several encouraging recent developments within Asean Plus Three, including the endorsement of the Rapid Financing Facility under the Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralisation, and momentum from leaders' statements on developing the Electric Vehicle Ecosystem and enhancing connectivity across regional supply chains. "These are not isolated achievements. They reflect Asean Plus Three's ability to create value, respond with agility, and lead with foresight," he added.
