WORLD LEADERS’ PRESENCE IN KL HIGHLIGHTS ASEAN’S IMPORTANCE – INDONESIAN OFFICIAL

By MOHD ISWANDI KASAN ANUAR

JAKARTA, Oct 23 (Bernama) -- The attendance of several world leaders at the upcoming 47th ASEAN Summit in Malaysia reflects the importance of the event in the context of global developments, according to Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry.

“From my qualitative assessment, the presence of world leaders demonstrates how significant this event is. Ongoing global developments further underline the importance of their participation,” said ASEAN Cooperation director-general Sidharto R. Suryodipuro at a media briefing on the ASEAN and APEC Summits on Wednesday (Oct 22).

He said ASEAN leaders, including Thailand’s new Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Timor-Leste’s Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao, will be attending, while Myanmar will be represented by a non-political official.

Leaders from the United States, China, Japan, Australia and New Zealand are scheduled to attend, while India is reported to be joining virtually.

According to Sidharto, Malaysia has also invited seven special guests comprising leaders from Brazil, South Africa, Canada and the United Kingdom, as well as European Council president António Costa, World Bank president Ajay Banga and International Monetary Fund managing director Kristalina Georgieva.

Ministerial meetings will begin on Oct 24, including the Extended Informal Consultation on the Implementation of the Five-Point Consensus on Myanmar.

The ceremony for Timor-Leste’s submission of the instrument of accession to the United Nations Charter into ASEAN and the signing of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation by Finland are also scheduled.

On Oct 26, the summit will be officially opened, followed by the signing of a declaration marking Timor-Leste’s admission as ASEAN’s 11th full member.

Leaders will also witness the signing of the Second Protocol to Amend the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement and the upgraded ASEAN-China Free Trade Area 3.0 agreement, Sidharto added.

The 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits are scheduled to take place at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from Oct 26 to 28.

The meetings will discuss a range of issues concerning regional peace, economic resilience and inclusive growth under Malaysia’s ASEAN 2025 Chairmanship theme of “Inclusivity and Sustainability”.

-- BERNAMA