JOINT ASEAN SOM-SEOM STRENGTHENS REGIONAL POLITICAL SECURITY, ECONOMIC PILLARS

By Danni Haizal Danial Donald

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 23 (Bernama) -- The ASEAN Joint Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) and Senior Economic Officials’ Meeting (SEOM) provide an opportunity for the region to strengthen coordination between political security and economic pillars.

Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) deputy secretary-general (Trade) Mastura Ahmad Mustafa said the meeting with leaders takes place at a critical time amid uncertainties in the global trade landscape, which continues to test the resilience of ASEAN economies.

“ASEAN is facing challenges from the ongoing geopolitical tensions to persistent supply chain disruptions. 

“On that note, we look forward to engaging openly and constructively and hope the ASEAN Geoeconomics Task Force (AGTF) insights could enhance economic stability and resilience,” she said in her opening remarks at the ASEAN Joint SOM-SEOM at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre here today.

Mastura co-chaired the meeting with Foreign Affairs Ministry secretary-general cum ASEAN SOM Leader of Malaysia Datuk Seri Amran Mohamed Zin.

Mastura also said that ASEAN has consistently shown strong unity, pragmatic cooperation, and a clear sense of purpose in preserving regional stability.

“The region has demonstrated resilience to safeguard regional stability and ensure the interests of the people and businesses remain central to the bloc's cooperation,” she added.

The ASEAN Joint SOM-SEOM was held ahead of the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits scheduled for Oct 26 to 28.

The summit is set to be one of the largest meetings in the bloc’s history, serving as a crucial platform to foster deeper collaboration while addressing regional and global challenges in a cohesive, inclusive manner.

This is the fifth time Malaysia has assumed the ASEAN Chair since the bloc’s inception in 1967, with the previous chairmanships in 2015, 2005, 1997 and 1977.

ASEAN's total gross domestic product (GDP) was an estimated USD4.13 trillion in 2024, positioning it as the fourth-largest economic bloc globally after the United States, China, and Germany.

ASEAN has a population of approximately 695.15 million in 2024, up from about 677.6 million in 2023. The region's population continues to grow steadily, making it the third-most populous region in the world.

-- BERNAMA