Latest news with #KaoKimHourn
Malaysia Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- Malaysia Sun
ASEAN leaders adopt Kuala Lumpur Declaration to guide next 20 years
The Kuala Lumpur Declaration on ASEAN 2045 is unveiled in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, May 26, 2025. /VCG The Kuala Lumpur Declaration on ASEAN 2045, a key document guiding the next 20 years of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) grouping, was unveiled on Monday following its endorsement by ASEAN leaders gathered at the 46th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur. In his remarks following the signing ceremony of the declaration, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the document would pave the way for the grouping's future direction, taking into account emerging challenges while putting sustainable and inclusive development at the forefront. "The future we seek must rest on foundations of sustainability and inclusion. ASEAN's integration must be genuinely people-centered. That means closing development gaps, raising standards of living and investing in the human spirit and potential of all our citizens," he said. "This shared blueprint gives shape to that belief. It is a vision anchored in realism, animated by resolve and made possible by trust," he added. 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: political-security, economic, socio-cultural and connectivity. Meanwhile, the grouping's Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn told a press briefing ahead of the summit that the ACV 2045 is meant to serve as a pragmatic 20-year strategic roadmap to guide the region's development amid global uncertainties. "These four strategic plans are designed to guide ASEAN on how to prioritize its work while upholding unity, solidarity and ASEAN centrality," he said, adding that the roadmap also recognizes the need to work closely with external partners, including dialogue, sectoral and global partners. "This document is forward-looking and strategic, acknowledging the shifts in geopolitics, digitalization, demographic change, climate risks and other pressing issues. It provides clarity on how ASEAN should navigate its future," he emphasized. Earlier, Malaysia's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that ASEAN aspires to be a prosperous single market with a highly skilled and inclusive workforce, productivity and innovation-driven growth, while incorporating sustainability across and along the value chain through the ASEAN Community Vision 2045. The ACV 2045 also promotes the use of local currencies for cross-border transactions to reduce the region's vulnerability to external volatility, enhancing disaster risk financing, and mitigating the risks or impact arising from climate change and environmental degradation, it said. "Through the new updated vision, ASEAN is expected to be a major player in the global economy and the fourth largest economy in the world, anchored on sustainable growth and good governance, empowered by advanced technologies and responsive to emerging opportunities," it added. Malaysia is the chair of ASEAN for 2025 and is hosting the ASEAN Summit and related summits under the theme "Inclusivity and Sustainability." Established in 1967, the grouping includes Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Source: CGTN
The Star
3 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Asean Sec-Gen hails 'twin successes' of 46th Summit with Vision 2045, Timor-Leste admission
Asean Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn speaks during an interview with media practitioners held in conjunction with the 46th ASEAN Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on May 25, 2025. - Photo: Bernama JAKARTA: (Bernama) Asean Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn on Wednesday (May 28) 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. On Myanmar, he said leaders reaffirmed the validity of the five-point consensus and noted growing support for appointing a long-term special envoy to step up diplomatic efforts amid ongoing violence and humanitarian concerns. On impact of US tariffs, Kao said Asean countries face serious economic disruption but have agreed not to retaliate, instead opting for cooperative negotiations with Washington. He added that the bloc plans to upgrade its free trade agreements with South Korea, explore a potential region-to-region free trade agreement with the GCC. At the Asean-GCC meeting, Kao both sides agreed to deepen co-operation in areas such as trade, investment, tourism, air connectivity, people-to-people exchange, and energy transition as well as discuss the Palestine and Gaza issues. The inaugural Asean-GCC-China Summit was also held, where leaders underscored the importance of a rules-based multilateral trading system and explored synergies in trade, energy, and technology. When asked about the possibility of Papua New Guinea (PNG) joining Asean following Indonesia's expressed support, Kao stated that although the matter was brought up, there has been no formal discussion among Asean member states to date. "That is something that our officials would need to look into,' he said, adding that consensus among all current members would be necessary for PNG to join. - Bernama
Malaysia Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- Malaysia Sun
ASEAN leaders adopt Kuala Lumpur Declaration for next 20-year development
KUALA LUMPUR, May 27 (Xinhua) -- The Kuala Lumpur Declaration on ASEAN 2045, a key document guiding the next 20 years of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) grouping, was unveiled here on Monday, following its endorsement by ASEAN leaders gathered at the 46th ASEAN Summit. In his remarks following the signing ceremony of the declaration, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the document would pave the way for the grouping's future direction, taking into account emerging challenges while putting sustainable and inclusive development at the forefront. "The future we seek must rest on foundations of sustainability and inclusion. ASEAN's integration must be genuinely people-centered. That means closing development gaps, raising standards of living and investing in the human spirit and potential of all our citizens," he said. "This shared blueprint gives shape to that belief. It is a vision anchored in realism, animated by resolve and made possible by trust," he added. 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. Meanwhile, the grouping's Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn told a press briefing ahead of the summit that the ACV 2045 is meant to serve as pragmatic 20-year strategic roadmap to guide the region's development amid global uncertainties. "These four strategic plans are designed to guide ASEAN on how to prioritize its work while upholding unity, solidarity, and ASEAN centrality," he said, adding that the roadmap also recognizes the need to work closely with external partners, including dialogue, sectoral, and global partners. "This document is forward-looking and strategic, acknowledging the shifts in geopolitics, digitalization, demographic change, climate risks, and other pressing issues. It provides clarity on how ASEAN should navigate its future," he emphasized. Earlier, Malaysia's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that ASEAN aspires to be a prosperous single market with a highly-skilled and inclusive workforce, productivity and innovation-driven growth, while incorporating sustainability across and along the value chain through the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 (ACV 2045). The ACV 2045 also promotes the use of local currencies for cross-border transactions to reduce the region's vulnerability to external volatility, enhancing disaster risk financing, and mitigating the risks or impact arising from climate change and environmental degradation, it said. "Through the new updated vision, ASEAN is expected to be a major player in the global economy and the fourth largest economy in the world, anchored on sustainable growth and good governance, empowered by advanced technologies and responsive to emerging opportunities," it added. Malaysia is the chair of ASEAN for 2025, and is hosting the ASEAN Summit and related summits under the theme "Inclusivity and Sustainability." Established in 1967, the grouping includes Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
AsiaOne
4 days ago
- Business
- AsiaOne
Philippines open to more agreements with China to keep peace in South China Sea, Asia News
KUALA LUMPUR — The Philippines is open to any additional agreements with Beijing that can help maintain peace in the South China Sea, its top diplomat said, amid unabated confrontations between them over disputed features. The South China Sea, a conduit for about US$3 trillion (S$3.8 trillion) of annual ship-borne trade, remains a source of tension between China and US ally the Philippines, with ties at their worst in years amid frequent standoffs that have sparked regional concerns they could spiral into conflict. The Philippines is vexed by the constant presence of China's coast guard in its exclusive economic zone, where both countries claim sovereignty over disputed features, including uninhabited sandbars, an atoll rich in fish stocks and a reef where Manila has troops stationed on a grounded navy ship. "I'm not saying they (arrangements) will necessarily take place, but anything within the scope of diplomatic means or peaceful means or co-operation is certainly within our template," Manalo told journalists on the sidelines of an Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday. Deals have been struck before, with the Philippines and China last year reaching a "provisional arrangement" for resupply missions to the grounded vessel at the Second Thomas Shoal after repeated flare-ups between rival vessels. China has accused the Philippines of trespassing in its waters but denies allegations of aggressive conduct. Beijing has advocated for dialogue with Manila to manage disputes. China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, which includes parts of the EEZs of Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei and the Philippines. The stakes are high in the event of a miscalculation between Beijing and Manila, with the United States bound by a 1951 mutual defence treaty to come to the aid of the Philippines in the event of any armed attack, including in the South China Sea. Manalo said the Philippines was determined to see how it could speed up negotiations for a code of conduct between Asean and Beijing on the South China Sea. All sides agreed in 2002 to draft a code but it took 15 years for them to initiate a process to start negotiations. Asean Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn last week told Reuters all sides were committed to finalising the code by next year. The Philippines will chair Asean in 2026. In remarks to Asean leaders on Monday, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr called for the adoption of a legally binding code to be accelerated. "This is to safeguard maritime rights, promote stability, and prevent miscalculations at sea," Marcos said. [[nid:718377]]
Malaysia Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- Malaysia Sun
1st LD Writethru: ASEAN leaders adopt Kuala Lumpur Declaration for next 20-year development
KUALA LUMPUR, May 26 (Xinhua) -- The Kuala Lumpur Declaration on ASEAN 2045, a key document guiding the next 20 years of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) grouping, was unveiled here on Monday, following its endorsement by ASEAN leaders gathered at the 46th ASEAN Summit. In his remarks following the signing ceremony of the declaration, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the document would pave the way for the grouping's future direction, taking into account emerging challenges while putting sustainable and inclusive development at the forefront. "The future we seek must rest on foundations of sustainability and inclusion. ASEAN's integration must be genuinely people-centered. That means closing development gaps, raising standards of living and investing in the human spirit and potential of all our citizens," he said. "This shared blueprint gives shape to that belief. It is a vision anchored in realism, animated by resolve and made possible by trust," he added. 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. Meanwhile, the grouping's Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn told a press briefing ahead of the summit that the ACV 2045 is meant to serve as pragmatic 20-year strategic roadmap to guide the region's development amid global uncertainties. "These four strategic plans are designed to guide ASEAN on how to prioritize its work while upholding unity, solidarity, and ASEAN centrality," he said, adding that the roadmap also recognizes the need to work closely with external partners, including dialogue, sectoral, and global partners. "This document is forward-looking and strategic, acknowledging the shifts in geopolitics, digitalization, demographic change, climate risks, and other pressing issues. It provides clarity on how ASEAN should navigate its future," he emphasized. Earlier, Malaysia's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that ASEAN aspires to be a prosperous single market with a highly-skilled and inclusive workforce, productivity and innovation-driven growth, while incorporating sustainability across and along the value chain through the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 (ACV 2045). The ACV 2045 also promotes the use of local currencies for cross-border transactions to reduce the region's vulnerability to external volatility, enhancing disaster risk financing, and mitigating the risks or impact arising from climate change and environmental degradation, it said. "Through the new updated vision, ASEAN is expected to be a major player in the global economy and the fourth largest economy in the world, anchored on sustainable growth and good governance, empowered by advanced technologies and responsive to emerging opportunities," it added. Malaysia is the chair of ASEAN for 2025, and is hosting the ASEAN Summit and related summits under the theme "Inclusivity and Sustainability." Established in 1967, the grouping includes Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
