Latest news with #regionalintegration
Zawya
5 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General – on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
The Secretary-General notes that, over the past five decades, ECOWAS has played a vital role in advancing economic cooperation, regional integration, and peace and stability in this rich and vibrant region. From free movement of people and trade liberalization to regional infrastructure projects, conflict resolution, and contributions to peacekeeping, ECOWAS has made remarkable strides towards achieving its vision of an integrated Community of peoples in a peaceful and prosperous region. The Secretary-General recognizes the strong institutional partnership between the United Nations and ECOWAS, as exemplified by several joint initiatives in the region, including through the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel and the broader United Nations system. He encourages continued cooperation to preserve hard-won regional gains and mobilize international support to address the challenges and needs of the region. The Secretary-General reiterates the commitment of the United Nations to ECOWAS, including in support to regional efforts to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the ECOWAS Vision 2050 of an 'ECOWAS of the Peoples: Peace and Prosperity for All'. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Zawya
7 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
ZEINOX, OQ Group to launch $2.6mln plastics factory in Oman
Egypt - A strategic cooperation agreement has been signed between Egypt's Arab Metals Company ZEINOX and Oman's OQ Group to establish a plastic manufacturing facility in the Sultanate of Oman, with a total investment of $2.6m. The project will be implemented under Oman's LADAYN industrial programme and is aimed at strengthening local production capacity and boosting regional exports. The signing ceremony was attended by Abdullah bin Nasser Al-Rahbi, Oman's Ambassador to Egypt, who described the agreement as a reflection of the deepening economic ties between the two countries and a tangible outcome of diplomatic and business collaboration. The upcoming factory will produce a broad range of plastic products for the Omani market and neighboring Arab countries, contributing to regional industrial integration and supporting Oman's diversification efforts under Vision 2040. Maged El-Zeiny, Chairperson of ZEINOX, said the initiative aligns with the company's strategy to deepen regional partnerships and support Oman's ambitions to localize manufacturing. 'This investment creates promising opportunities and reinforces industrial cooperation between Arab states,' he added. Ambassador Al-Rahbi praised the growing interest from Egyptian investors in Oman and emphasized the importance of such ventures in enhancing trade volume and mutual economic growth. 'This investment reflects Oman's strong industrial position in the plastics sector and the increasing appeal of its investment environment,' he noted. Mundher Al Rawahi, Head of the LADAYN programme, said the initiative—led by OQ Group in coordination with entities such as MADAYN—has already secured 18 investment agreements totaling $160m. The programme is focused on attracting strategic industrial projects that support Oman's broader economic transformation goals. Wael Abbas, Vice Chairman of ZEINOX, highlighted the partnership as a key step in the company's efforts to diversify its investment portfolio and expand its regional and global footprint. 'This collaboration is part of our ambition to build cross-border industrial partnerships that enhance competitiveness and drive growth,' he said. OQ Group continues to expand its polymer-focused value chain as part of its long-term strategy to localize advanced industries, attract specialized investment, and support Oman's shift toward a diversified, knowledge-based economy. The project represents a convergence of public and private efforts across Egypt and Oman, and underscores the broader trend of Arab industrial integration through targeted joint ventures. © 2024 Daily News Egypt. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Malay Mail
7 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
‘Forging Ahead Together' is just the start — Ahmad Faiz Yazid
MAY 27 — As Malaysia is hosting the 46th Asean Summit, 2nd Asean-GCC Summit, and Asean-GCC-China Summit, a significant milestone has been announced: the Asean Economic Community (AEC) Blueprint 2025 has reached a 97 per cent implementation rate. This figure, while commendable, marks not an end, but a critical juncture to reflect, recalibrate, and reimagine Asean's economic trajectory in a far more complex global environment. Formally launched in 2015, the AEC represents Asean's most ambitious push towards regional integration. Grounded in five interconnected pillars, economic cohesion, competitiveness and innovation, sectoral cooperation, inclusivity and resilience, and global engagement, the blueprint has guided the region through significant transformation. Asean now stands as the fifth largest global economy and the second largest recipient of foreign direct investment. Intra-Asean trade, long criticised for its modest share of overall trade, has nonetheless grown substantially in value, increasing from US$353 billion (RM1.49 billion) in 2007 to over US$856 billion by 2022. Tools like the Asean Single Window have further facilitated cross-border trade, enhancing regional supply chain integration. Yet these achievements obscure persistent structural gaps. Intra-regional trade remains proportionally low compared to blocs like the European Union (EU) or United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), reflecting fragmented regulations and non-tariff barriers that continue to undermine the promise of a truly unified market. Even as Asean becomes more globally connected, the integration of its own markets still falls short of potential, revealing a paradox that demands urgent resolution. Progress under the AEC's second pillar, that is fostering a competitive and innovative region, has also been uneven. All ten Asean countries now possess competition laws and regulatory authorities, up from just five in 2014. Innovation capabilities, however, remain concentrated in a few member states such as Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam. Others lag in research capacity, digital adoption, and skills readiness, highlighting widening disparities that could threaten the region's collective competitiveness in an era shaped by technological disruption, green transition demands, and intensifying geopolitical tensions. Asean now stands as the fifth largest global economy and the second largest recipient of foreign direct investment. — Bernama pic Without convergence in regulatory standards and innovation ecosystems, Asean risks falling behind. Connectivity, both physical and digital, has improved markedly, but access remains unequal. While major infrastructure and logistics upgrades have reduced costs and streamlined processes, the digital divide continues to disadvantage marginalised populations and less developed economies. Bridging this gap requires not only expanded broadband access and affordability but also harmonised data governance, cybersecurity standards, and digital economy frameworks. Without these foundational reforms, Asean's ambition to become a global digital hub will remain aspirational. As the AEC Blueprint 2025 nears completion, Asean must look beyond the percentage of goals fulfilled. The 'Asean Post-2025: Reimagining the Asean Economic Community' report by the Iseas — Yusof Ishak Institute, rightly points to a shifting context, one marked by climate volatility, inflationary pressures, geopolitical realignments, and vulnerable supply chains. In such a world, resilience must become the cornerstone of the AEC's next chapter. That means integrating climate risk into economic planning, embedding equity and social protection into regional frameworks, and developing agile institutions capable of collective crisis response. Institutional reforms, particularly in monitoring and dispute resolution, are essential to reposition Asean as a proactive, credible, and responsive economic bloc. Equally important is reaffirming Asean's people-first ethos. Economic integration must deliver tangible benefits to workers, small businesses, and communities, not just corporations or state actors. This calls for deeper cooperation in skills recognition, labour mobility, and digital upskilling, alongside expanded access to economic opportunities across all segments of society. Sustained prosperity will depend not only on growth rates or trade volumes, but on how inclusively Asean can unlock the potential of its people. Externally, Asean must continue to play a constructive role in shaping global trade and investment flows. Its central role in initiatives like the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) offers an avenue for reinforcing multilateralism and stabilising regional architecture. But this outward posture must be matched by inward cohesion. Asean's credibility abroad will increasingly rest on its ability to deliver at home. From blueprint to breakthrough, the AEC has evolved from a set of frameworks into a platform of real consequence. But implementation alone is no longer sufficient. The challenge now is to build a bolder, more coherent vision. One that enhances integration, deepens trust, and places people at the centre. With 2025 on the horizon, Asean must move beyond box-ticking toward building a resilient, inclusive, and future-ready regional economy. * Ahmad Faiz Yazid is a graduate executive trainee at Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB), and part of the secretariat under Yayasan Sukarelawan Siswa (YSS) for the Asean Summit 2025. ** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- 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.
Malay Mail
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
One step closer: What Timor-Leste's Asean milestone means and what comes next — Khoo Ying Hooi
KUALA LUMPUR, May 26 — When the announcement came on 26 May 2025 at the 46th Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur that Timor-Leste would attain full membership in Asean at the upcoming 47th Summit in October, my heart leapt. Over the years, I've come to know this small, beautiful country not just through research, but through time spent on its soil, through conversations, and shared experiences. I've listened, learned, and grown alongside its people. This moment is more than just a diplomatic milestone. It's personal. It is a moment of recognition, a long-awaited regional embrace, and, I hope, transformation not just for Timor-Leste but for Asean as a whole. This declaration by the 46ᵗʰ Asean Summit is historic. For the first time, a clear and public timeline has been announced. After years of evaluations, readiness assessments, quiet diplomacy and patient waiting, we now see a firm political commitment to welcome Timor-Leste into the Asean family. It is not only long overdue but also profoundly significant. Why this moment matters Timor-Leste has been knocking on Asean's door for over a decade. The country formally applied for membership in 2011 and has been granted observer status since 2022. Since then, it has consistently shown commitment through participating in Asean meetings, initiating institutional reforms, and building capacity across government institutions. From improving public administration to strengthening its diplomatic engagement in the region, the country has made steady efforts to meet Asean's expectations. And yet, the road has not been easy. Asean's consensus-based decision-making has meant that progress has often been slow and unclear. In Asean, consensus rules, but consensus can also stall. Concerns over institutional readiness and economic disparities have slowed progress. This has tested the patience of both Dili and its regional supporters. But no country can ever be 'perfectly ready.' What matters is political commitment, and on that, Timor-Leste has delivered. For me, this step affirms the collective efforts I've had the privilege of observing over the years, from the dedication of civil servants and government officials to the work of communities. It also recognises the country's unique post-colonial journey, marked by struggle, resilience, and a deep yearning to be part of the regional community it so strongly identifies with, both geographically and culturally. Concerns over institutional readiness and economic disparities have slowed Timor-Leste's progress, testing the patience of both Dili and its regional supporters. — Unsplash pic Timor-Leste's symbolic shift Timor-Leste's admission is about more than just increasing Asean's membership count. It signals a symbolic shift in how the region defines itself. This is a country that emerged from conflict with a determination to chart its own democratic path. While far from perfect, it has upheld democratic practices in ways that stand out in a region where political space is increasingly contested. Its commitment to dialogue, peaceful transitions, and openness offers a valuable perspective rooted in lived struggle and hard-earned sovereignty. For Asean, often criticised for its silence on democracy and rights, this could be a quiet recalibration. Including Timor-Leste does not magically resolve these tensions, but it does invite a broader reflection: What kind of community does Asean want to be? Timor-Leste's presence, I believe, can bring fresh energy into this conversation, reminding the region that principles like justice, solidarity, and dignity should not be seen as external pressures, but as aspirations from within. Looking ahead: Hopes and cautions As someone who has spent over a decade with Timor-Leste's society, political institutions, and cultural landscape, I hold cautious optimism for what this membership can bring for both sides. For Timor-Leste, Asean membership is an avenue to diversify its foreign relations, secure economic partnerships, and gain a stronger diplomatic voice. But there are risks too. The bureaucratic demands of Asean integration can overwhelm small states. Timor-Leste must ensure it is not subsumed into a passive role but instead brings its agency, voice, and lived experiences to the regional table. It must guard its democratic spirit and not let Asean's often non-confrontational norms dilute its advocacy for justice and human rights. Capacity-building must go beyond government ministries. Asean engagement must include Timorese youth, artists, educators, and rural communities. Too often, regionalism in Southeast Asia is elite-driven and technocratic. Timor-Leste has an opportunity to do things differently, especially if it grounds its Asean journey in participatory inclusion. For Asean, Timor-Leste's admission should be a wake-up call. It must not treat Timor-Leste as a 'charity case' or a symbol of inclusivity alone. Instead, Asean must walk the talk by providing financial, technical, and political support to ensure Timor-Leste's integration is smooth and sustainable. And perhaps, in return, Asean gains something even more valuable: a renewed moral compass. At a time when the region is grappling with the Myanmar crisis, South China Sea tensions, and growing US–China rivalry, it is easy to lose sight of the original aspiration: a united, resilient Southeast Asia that values peace, sovereignty, and dignity. Timor-Leste's journey, its scars, and its dreams can re-anchor that vision. Making Asean matter to the people One of my long-standing frustrations with Asean is how little it resonates with ordinary people. Despite its decades-long existence, Asean still feels distant, abstract, and elite-driven. For many across the region, Asean is a name on paper, not something that touches their daily lives. Timor-Leste's entry offers a chance to shift this perception. This is a country whose people have fought hard to be seen and heard. A story of a small state that dared to imagine itself as part of a regional community. And that story, if told and shared meaningfully, has the power to connect with others across Southeast Asia, especially the youth who are searching for a regional identity that speaks to their hopes, not just official documents. But this will require effort. Asean must be more transparent and communicative about what Timor-Leste's membership means. It must invest in people-to-people exchange and create spaces for connection and dialogue. Most importantly, it must treat this moment not as the end of a process, but as the beginning of a more grounded and inclusive regional vision. Final reflections The road ahead will not be without challenges. Timor-Leste continues to face structural challenges, and Asean itself is far from a perfect institution. But this moment, this decision to welcome Timor-Leste by October 2025, is a milestone worth celebrating and safeguarding. From where I stand, having walked with Timor-Leste's journey in my own small way, I can only hope Asean sees this moment not just a new member but the beginning of a meaningful partnership. One that invites a shared vision of regionalism grounded not only in economic cooperation or political stability but also towards a Southeast Asia rooted in dignity, respect and shared belonging. And perhaps, just perhaps, this long-awaited embrace can help Asean remember why it came together in the first place. *Khoo Ying Hooi, PhD, is an associate professor of international relations and human rights at Universiti Malaya. ** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.
