Latest news with #KaoKimHourn
The Star
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Parliamentarians are key to peace and stability in this region, says Asean Inter-Parliamentary Assembly
PHNOM PENH (Bernama): Parliamentarians across South-East Asia must take on a more active role in promoting diplomacy and stability amid rising geopolitical tensions. This was the key message from top speakers at the 16th Asean Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) Caucus held in Phnom Penh, who stressed that the role of lawmakers is more crucial than ever. Asean Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn also called on parliamentarians to champion peace and regional stability. He said that in the interconnected yet fragmented world, sustainable peace is not merely the absence of war or conflict, but the presence of justice, understanding, and inclusivity. "In an era marked by geopolitical tensions and proliferation of divisive narratives, the role of parliamentarians as bridge builders and peace makers has become more crucial today than before,' Kao said in his keynote remarks. The heads of AIPA from Asean member states and Timor-Leste are participating in the two-day event, which is being held at the National Assembly hall in the capital. "This caucus serves as a beacon of hope, demonstrating true structure of dialogue, mutual respect, and sheer commitment to peaceful resolution. We can address the most complex challenges facing the region or the world,' said Kao. The theme of the meeting is 'Peace Through Dialogue: The Parliamentary Path Forward' - emphasising the role of parliamentary diplomacy in achieving peace and prosperity. Speaking at the event, Cambodia's National Assembly President Khuon Sudary said Cambodia remains fully committed to supporting Asean unity and centrality. "The roles of parliamentary diplomacy are increasingly critical in promoting regional and global peace efforts. By promoting dialogue, confidence-building measures, preventive diplomacy, and the peaceful settlement of disputes, we can contribute more to world peace. "AIPA, together with observer parliaments, needs to be more proactive and bolder in promoting parliamentary diplomacy and cooperation to shore up regional and global governance while promoting a rules-based international order,' said Sudary. - Bernama
CNA
16-07-2025
- Business
- CNA
Why is ASEAN planning a rare joint meeting of foreign and economic ministers?
KUALA LUMPUR: The upcoming joint meeting between ASEAN's foreign and economic ministers is a rare occurrence, with analysts calling its revival a 'dramatic shift' in the bloc's strategy and a response to a 'more volatile global landscape'. The first known joint meeting took place in 1999, and while a similar meeting was planned in 2003, there is no public record of it taking place. This means the upcoming meeting could be the first in 26 years. The upcoming meeting was revealed last Friday (Jul 11) by Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan after a gathering with his counterparts from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), saying it would be aimed at developing a 'more coordinated regional response to economic headwinds and rising trade tensions'. The four-day meetings had taken place amid geopolitical and trade uncertainties as United States President Donald Trump announced revised tariffs on countries, including those in Southeast Asia. ASEAN secretary-general Kao Kim Hourn told news agency Bernama last Friday that the date of the joint meeting has not been fixed, but it will be before the leaders' summit scheduled to take place in Kuala Lumpur from Oct 26 to Oct 28. Analysts described the revived meeting as a move towards "strategic pragmatism," reflecting ASEAN's heightened awareness that economic decisions can no longer be divorced from political realities and that they can no longer work in silos. "The joint meeting of ASEAN's foreign and economic ministers is not just symbolic, it reflects a conscious move towards policy integration in response to a more volatile global landscape," said Khoo Ying Hooi, from Universiti Malaya's International and Strategic Studies Department. Khoo added that external shocks such as escalating trade tariffs, supply chain vulnerabilities, and intense strategic competition between major powers are compelling ASEAN to project greater coherence and agility. "While long overdue, this convergence indicates ASEAN's recognition that siloed governance is no longer tenable," she said. ASEAN is currently made up of 10 member states, with Timor-Leste expected to officially become its 11th member state at the upcoming leaders' summit in Oct 2025. With a population of around 700 million people, ASEAN is the fifth-largest economy in the world with a combined gross domestic product of US$3.9 trillion. A RESPONSE TO GEOECONOMIC TURMOIL As early as 1987, ASEAN's heads of government recognised the importance of holding joint ministerial meetings if needed to enhance coordination. In the joint communique of the third ASEAN Heads of Government meeting in Manila that year, they agreed that a 'Joint Ministerial Meeting of Foreign and Economic Ministers may be held, as and when necessary'. The first joint meeting of finance, central bank governors, and foreign ministers took place in November 1999, in Manila, Philippines on the eve of the 3rd ASEAN Informal Summit, due to the challenges raised by the Asian financial crisis. 'The ministers found it necessary to meet jointly because, as the recent financial crisis has shown, the utmost consultation and coordination must be undertaken among themselves and their ministries in order for the ASEAN member countries and governments to effectively meet the challenges facing the region,' read the meeting's communique. In 2003, the foreign ministers said at their meeting in June that they looked forward to the joint ministerial meeting before the Bali leaders' summit in October 2003, but there is no record of the 2003 meeting taking place. "In this regard, we stressed the need to revive the Joint Ministerial Meeting (JMM), which would function as a filtering mechanism that would enable us to focus on the most important issues of common concern," read the summit statement. Sharon Seah, a senior fellow at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, said that coordination between foreign and economic policy agendas is not new, and has been conducted at regional levels before in times of crisis. She said the latest push for such joint meetings is a direct response to the "securitisation of economic issues," a phenomenon Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has termed the "weaponisation" of trade. "Whatever the terms are, it is clear that in this global trade upheaval, political and economic issues are being thrown into the fray without due regard to safeguards and this is dangerous because it forces countries into a default quid pro quo situation," said Seah. "The kind of unhealthy 'transactionalism' in international politics that we see today will only deepen," she added. Agreeing, Habib Dzakwan, a researcher at the Department of International Relations of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Indonesia, said that the convergence signalled a "recalibration' in ASEAN's strategic direction. "During the heyday of globalisation, ASEAN has been trying to de-securitise or de-politicise economic matters to allow development priorities to take the lead. 'However, I sense that some member states are cognisant that going forward, room to decouple the two is getting smaller. This does not mean a dramatic shift in ASEAN approach. It is just the way some states are adapting to great power competition or open conflicts that reshape the economic arena," he said. The urgency is underscored by recent US tariff announcements that will impact economies all over the world, said analysts. Malaysia, who is this year's ASEAN chair, faces a 25 per cent tariff from August 1, with Laos and Myanmar facing 40 per cent, Cambodia and Thailand 36 per cent, Indonesia 19 per cent, Vietnam 20 per cent (and 40 per cent on trans-shipments), and the Philippines and Brunei 20 per cent and 25 per cent respectively. ASEAN and China are each other's largest trading partners. ASEAN is also the US' fourth-largest trading partner. The US is also the largest source of foreign direct investment in the bloc. From a diplomatic standpoint, the joint ministerial meeting's core objective is to signal ASEAN's determination to preserve its individual and regional agency, as well as strategic autonomy, said Dzakwan. 'What differentiates it is that geopolitical tensions are now much more complex by the rise of industrial policies and the unilateral use of economic statecraft," said Dzakwan. He said that economically, the aim of the meeting is to reaffirm ASEAN's inclusiveness and openness for business. Khoo added that the meeting aimed to reinforce ASEAN's relevance and unity amidst intensifying geopolitical contestation. "It provides a platform to formulate a shared response, however modest, to issues like US tariffs and broader trade tensions," she said, highlighting the economic objective to "advance regional resilience through strengthened supply chains, market diversification, and collective hedging against protectionism." CHALLENGES TO COHESION Despite the clear necessity for integrated action, significant challenges loom over the implementation of decisions from this joint meeting, noted analysts. They pointed to ASEAN's consensus-based decision-making model, divergent national interests, and the lack of robust institutional mechanisms for enforcement and monitoring outcomes. Khoo said that the convergence of economic and political discussions heightened the risk of internal fractures, as member states differ widely in both economic structures and political alignments. 'The challenge will be to avoid paralysis while pursuing deeper coordination," she said. She said that ASEAN's consensus model, while foundational to its unity, often slowed down decisions on contentious or politically sensitive matters, while divergent national interests could lead member states to prioritise bilateral gains over regional coordination. She added that ASEAN's institutional architecture still lacked the necessary enforcement and monitoring mechanisms, compounded by external geopolitical pressures from the US and China, which created competing incentives that could undermine cohesion. Dzakwan agreed, stating that the primary challenge was to achieve consensus on the priorities and means to respond to new geoeconomic trends. "If it's just about setting the regional norms and playbook, it is not a problem. But translating such norms into practical commitments, we might have to be more patient and manage our expectations," he said. He expressed doubts that the meeting would yield a fully unified response to the trade tariffs issue, but hoped that such coordination could take place. 'It is so easy for great powers to hit us if ASEAN member states do not stick together,' he said. Due to varied economic exposure and political calculations between the member nations, Khoo was also doubtful of a fully unified ASEAN response, suggesting informal alignment among affected nations or a shared diplomatic stance with Washington instead. 'The key test will be whether ASEAN can move beyond statements of concern to coordinated economic strategy, something that will require sustained political commitment,' she said. Khoo said that institutional reform, political will, and a clearer articulation of collective interests are essential if ASEAN hopes to remain relevant in an increasingly contested global environment. 'This meeting may not resolve structural weaknesses overnight, but it does offer a foundation to build on, if member states are prepared to act on the momentum,' she said. Dzakwan also said that the meeting's ultimate significance remains to be seen. "If this is just a one-time off, it doesn't necessarily have weight beyond symbolism, but if that meeting is followed by endeavours to push for more cross-political-security and economic pillar coordination, then the meeting deserves more appreciation," he said. Seah said that by adopting a strategic approach to the current trade upheaval and ensuring foreign and economic ministers engage in dialogue, ASEAN can begin to examine wider and longer-term regional implications, transcending individual national interests. "The point is not to arrive at an immediate coordinated ASEAN response to tariffs but (to) try to shine a light into what is the endgame that certain actors are aiming for and coordinate a regional position based on international principles of law," she said.
The Sun
09-07-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
PM Anwar to open 58th AMM in KL with focus on regional concerns
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is set to open the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (58th AMM) on Wednesday, marking a key moment in Malaysia's 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship. The event, themed 'Inclusivity and Sustainability,' will gather foreign ministers from ASEAN nations, Timor-Leste, and ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn. The opening ceremony will be followed by the 58th AMM Plenary Session and Retreat Session, chaired by Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. Discussions are expected to revisit progress on the South China Sea Code of Conduct and reinforce ASEAN unity. A highlight of the agenda is the signing of the Instrument of Accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), involving all ASEAN foreign ministers and Kao. The meetings, held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) from July 8 to 11, will host around 1,500 delegates. Myanmar's absence at the ministerial level is notable, with representation limited to a senior foreign ministry official. Timor-Leste's Foreign Minister will attend as an observer. This gathering is one of the largest diplomatic assemblies in the region, focusing on security, sustainability, and cooperation. Malaysia's fifth ASEAN chairmanship underscores its leadership role, having previously held the position in 1977, 1997, 2005, and 2015. - Bernama
The Star
09-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Anwar to open 58th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting with talks to focus on regional, global concerns
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is scheduled to officiate the opening ceremony of the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting (58th AMM) here on Wednesday (July 9). The ceremony will be attended by all Asean foreign ministers, Timor-Leste's foreign minister and Asean Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn, who is scheduled to call on Anwar earlier. The event will continue with the 58th AMM Plenary Session, followed by the AMM Retreat Session, with Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan expected to chair the meeting. The AMM Retreat, which previously took place in Langkawi in January this year, concluded with advice to Myanmar, a progress evaluation of the Code of Conduct on the South China Sea, and a resolve to strengthen Asean unity and resilience. Also on the agenda is a signing ceremony for the Instrument of Accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in South-East Asia (TAC), to be attended by all Asean foreign ministers and Kao. The 58th AMM and related meetings, held under Malaysia's 2025 Asean Chairmanship themed 'Inclusivity and Sustainability,' feature 24 ministerial-level meetings, including engagements with Asean Dialogue Partners and Sectoral Dialogue Partners. The high-level meetings, taking place at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) from July 8 to 11, are bringing together around 1,500 delegates. All foreign ministers of Asean member states are attending, except for Myanmar, which is represented by a senior official from its foreign ministry. The Foreign Minister from Timor-Leste is participating as an observer. The highly anticipated gathering marks one of the largest assemblies of foreign ministers and high-ranking diplomats from around the world, convened to discuss pressing global and regional issues, foster cooperation and advance the agenda of security and sustainability in Asean. This is the fifth time Malaysia has assumed the Asean chairmanship since becoming a member of the regional bloc, having previously held the role in 1977, 1997, 2005, and 2015. - Bernama
New Straits Times
08-07-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Mohamad Hasan meets with Asean sec-gen
KUALA LUMPUR: Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan held a meeting with Asean secretary-general Dr Kao Kim Hourn today on the sidelines of the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) in Kuala Lumpur. The meeting centred on strengthening Asean Community-building efforts in line with Malaysia's key priorities as chair of the AMM. According to a statement on the Asean website, the secretary-general had a productive meeting with the chair, where both parties discussed concrete steps to move the region's community-building agenda forward. It also said Kao reaffirmed the Asean secretariat's full commitment to supporting the chair and all member states in realising shared goals under Asean 2045: Our Shared Future, as outlined in the Kuala Lumpur Declaration.
