ASEAN CHARTS PATH TO ECONOMIC INTEGRATION, CLIMATE RESILIENCE & INCLUSIVITY AT AMM RETREAT

By Massita Ahmad & Linda Khoo

LANGKAWI, Jan 19 (Bernama) -- Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan today opened the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ (AMM) Retreat here, highlighting the need for ASEAN to focus on regional economic integration, climate preparedness and inclusivity to navigate a rapidly changing global landscape.

“Our diversity of economic strengths and capabilities, coupled with ASEAN’s involvement in free trade agreements like the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), positions us uniquely to build integrated supply chains,” he said.

Highlighting ASEAN's collective potential, he noted the bloc's status as the fifth-largest economy globally, with a combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of US$3.8 trillion and a population of 677 million.

Mohamad emphasised the need for continued intra-regional trade and investment. 

“We are much stronger together. Promoting intra-regional trade and investment is essential to shielding us from future economic shocks,” he said at the retreat, held at the Langkawi International Convention Centre (LICC) in the legendary island.

Addressing the growing threat of climate change, Mohamad called for unified action within ASEAN.

“As one of the most vulnerable regions to climate-induced disasters, Southeast Asia must be crisis-ready. ASEAN’s collective voice in global negotiations, such as the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), is vital to ensure our needs are heard,” he said.

Malaysia, as the 2025 ASEAN Chair, has prioritised “Inclusivity and Sustainability” under its leadership, emphasising the empowerment of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

“We aspire to uplift and provide equitable opportunities for all segments of society, ensuring that no one is left behind,” the Foreign Minister affirmed, aligning the bloc's vision with Malaysia’s ‘Madani’ principles.

Inclusivity extends beyond economic programmes as the Chair’s call to recognise all 11 member states fully, including Timor-Leste, reflects its commitment to regional unity.

“In the spirit of this endeavour, we hope to see it reflected within ASEAN’s membership, that Southeast Asia is not a region of 10 nations – there are 11 of us. And all 11 of us deserve to participate fully, in an organisation that champions the wellbeing of this part of the world.

"If we do not demonstrate inclusivity within our organisation, all of our rhetoric would ring hollow. We must walk the talk, and we must demonstrate trust and support for one another,” the minister urged.

As ASEAN turns 58, Mohamad reflected on the decades of dedication by its leaders and citizens to building bridges across nations.

“I picture the women and men who have come before us, who poured their tears and sweat into building bridges between our nations, and the pride that I feel is immense,” he said, noting that “the work ahead will not be easy”.

“We, too, must pour our tears and sweat, into the future of our home. We will do it as one. The diversity of our region, far from being an obstacle, is symbolic of our power to build bridges.

“As we navigate the future together, let us recognise that our success depends on our unity, our resolve and our willingness to adapt to the demands of an ever-changing world.

“It is all in our hands,” Mohamad concluded.

This meeting brings together the foreign ministers and senior officials of all the 10 ASEAN Member States.

Also present were the Foreign Minister of Timor-Leste, Bendito Freitas, and the Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr Kao Kim Hourn.

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

Over 300 key meetings and programmes are scheduled to take place across the country throughout the year.

Malaysia has previously chaired ASEAN in 1977, 1997, 2005, and 2015.

-- BERNAMA