VIENTIANE: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim attends the 44th ASEAN Summit (Plenary Session) at the National Convention Centre (NCC) here Wednesday. - Photo: Bernama
VIENTIANE: Malaysia has outlined three strategic priorities for Asean when it assumes the group's chairmanship in 2025, including strengthening regional value chains and regulatory cooperation, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Addressing the 44th Asean Summit Plenary Session on Wednesday (Oct 9), the Prime Minister stressed the importance of expanding trade and investment linkages and fostering digital transformation in the region.
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The other strategies include reinforcing member countries' economic fundamentals and reinventing, restructuring, and recalibrating their economies while leveraging each other’s strengths.
"Asean needs to secure the regional supply chain and strengthen its global economic linkages.
"I believe that with determination and commitment, Asean can achieve economic resilience and be on track to become the fourth-largest economy by 2030," Anwar said.
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As the incoming Asean chair, Anwar was the second leader to address the plenary session, following Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone.
Leaders from all 10 Asean member countries attended the session at the National Convention Center (NCC).
Anwar noted that intra-Asean trade has remained low for decades despite Southeast Asia's significant economic growth.
"There is vast potential for enhancement, particularly with the upcoming upgrade of the Asean Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) to be signed in 2025," he said.
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Furthermore, Anwar urged Asean to explore and expand economic partnerships beyond regional borders.
"Malaysia’s proposal for the Asean-GCC + China Summit in 2025 aims to achieve this expansion. I appreciate the support of Asean member states for this proposal," he said.
Anwar also commented on Timor-Leste’s impending inclusion, highlighting that it will expand the region’s economy and contribute to Asean becoming a more economically resilient bloc.
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Timor-Leste was granted official observer status and received in-principle approval to join Asean during the 40th and 41st summits in Cambodia in 2022.
The 44th and 45th Asean Summits and Related Summits officially began in the Lao capital on Wednesday and will conclude on Friday (Oct 11).
Anwar, who arrived on Tuesday night, will also attend the Plus One Summits with dialogue partners such as Australia, China, Japan, India, South Korea, the United States, and Canada, as well as the Asean Plus Three Summit, East Asia Summit, and Asean-United Nations Summit.
Other Asean leaders and dialogue partners, including Chinese Premier Li Qiang and United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken, are expected to participate.
The summits will conclude on Oct 11, with Laos handing over the Asean chairmanship to Malaysia during the closing ceremony.
Wisma Putra confirmed that Anwar is scheduled to deliver a speech outlining Malaysia's vision as Asean chair during the ceremony, with Malaysia officially assuming the chairmanship on Jan 1, 2025. – Bernama
