THAILAND BACKS MALAYSIA'S 'INCLUSIVE AND SUSTAINABLE' ASEAN VISION FOR 2025

By Kenny Teng

BANGKOK, Jan 13 (Bernama) -- Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed full support for Malaysia’s Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2025, highlighting it as a pivotal year in the ASEAN community-building process.

The Director-General of the Department of Information and Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nikorndej Balankura, emphasised the importance of Malaysia’s leadership in steering the bloc under the theme of "Inclusivity and Sustainability," which aligns with Thailand’s priorities, particularly in the area of sustainability.

"As you know, Thailand has long been championing the issue of sustainability and will therefore continue to play a proactive and constructive role, working closely with Malaysia in realising the Chair’s deliverables and advancing the ASEAN Community that is peaceful, resilient, sustainable, and people-centred.

"We see 2025 under Malaysia’s Chairmanship as a pivotal moment in ASEAN’s Community-building process. This year, ASEAN leaders will adopt the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, which will set the direction for ASEAN for the next two decades," he told Bernama in a recent interview.

Nikorndej explained that ASEAN is expected to witness the conclusion of negotiations on the Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), the world’s first region-wide digital economy agreement.

He said the agreement is anticipated to strengthen ASEAN’s integration of the digital economy and further its ambitions of becoming the world’s fourth-largest economy by 2030.

In highlighting Thailand’s commitment to regional growth, Nikorndej underlined three key areas: driving DEFA negotiations, promoting sustainable development, and ensuring ASEAN unity amid challenges.

He said Thailand will lead as Chair of the DEFA Negotiating Committee to ensure the agreement’s successful conclusion by 2025.

“This will enable ASEAN to solidify its position as a global economic powerhouse and work towards becoming the fourth-largest economy by 2030,” he added.

Nikorndej stated that, as the ASEAN Coordinator for Sustainable Development Cooperation, Thailand will continue to push forward sustainable development, one of the priority areas of cooperation under the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) and an integral part of Malaysia’s Chairmanship theme.

"We will come up with concrete initiatives that will make a real, positive change in the region, enhance people’s well-being, and advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) implementation towards a ‘green ASEAN’ in line with the upcoming ASEAN Community Vision 2045," he said.

Furthermore, Thailand pledged solidarity with ASEAN Member States in addressing geopolitical uncertainties and tackling issues such as climate change, transnational crime, illicit drugs, and online scams.

"We will continue to advocate for ASEAN centrality and unity, inclusive dialogue, and constructive engagement both among ASEAN Member States and with external partners, as well as for strengthening ASEAN-led mechanisms," he said.

Nikorndej also noted that the upcoming ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) will provide a crucial platform for discussions on deepening regional cooperation under Malaysia’s Chairmanship theme of “Inclusivity and Sustainability.”

He said the Foreign Ministers will also have the opportunity to exchange views on issues of common concern, including the situation in Myanmar.

"Thailand will express support for ASEAN’s collective efforts and offer ways to complement the work of the Chair and the recently appointed Special Envoy to help Myanmar find a durable solution that is Myanmar-led and owned," he added.

Malaysia officially assumed the Chairmanship of ASEAN 2025 on Jan 1, marking the fifth time it has led the regional grouping since its establishment in 1967.

The AMM Retreat, to be held in Langkawi, a renowned island destination in northern Malaysia, from January 18 to 19, will be the first ASEAN Foreign Ministers' meeting this year under Malaysia’s Chairmanship.

-- BERNAMA