SARAWAK SUPPORTS ASEAN’S 2025 GOALS AMID GLOBAL ECONOMIC CHALLENGES

KUCHING, April 24 (Bernama) -- Amid global economic challenges, Sarawak is reinforcing its commitment to ASEAN’s core values, calling for stronger regional cooperation built on sustainability and inclusivity.

Its Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said Sarawak has positioned itself as a committed regional partner, echoing ASEAN’s 2025 theme of ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability’ as a blueprint for resilience.

“We are on the same wavelength as ASEAN, and actively contribute to the region, proving that environmental stewardship and social unity can go hand in hand. 

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“During this global trade tension period,we must continue to forge forward hand-in-hand to ensure shared prosperity whilst promoting sustainability,” he said.

Abdul Karim said this in his speech at the state gala dinner for the 33rd ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Council Meeting, here, tonight. 

He emphasised that Sarawak’s approach, which is rooted in green economy initiatives, commitment to indigenous rights, and inclusive development strategies, serves not just local communities but the region at large.

Meanwhile, Abdul Karim said ASEAN countries contributed the highest number of visitor arrivals to Sarawak, with a total of 2.6 million visitors or more than 55 per cent recorded in 2024. 

“As of March this year, Sarawak recorded 581,775 visitor arrivals from ASEAN countries, with Brunei Darussalam and Indonesia constituting the largest portions, 67 per cent and 28 per cent respectively,” he said. 

Also present at the gala dinner were Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing and ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn. 

The ongoing ASCC Council Meeting is a biannual ministerial-level gathering focused on addressing key socio-cultural issues across the ASEAN region.

This year’s meeting, from April 22 to 26, welcomed representatives from the ASEAN fraternity, namely Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Timor-Leste.

-- BERNAMA