FM MOHAMAD LEADS MALAYSIA TO AMM RETREAT AS PHILIPPINES SETS CHAIR PRIORITIES

CEBU CITY (Philippines), Jan 27 (Bernama)  -- Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan will lead the Malaysian delegation to the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ (AMM) Retreat and related meetings from Wednesday in Cebu City, the Philippines.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Foreign Ministry said the AMM Retreat marks the first official ASEAN meeting of the year under the Philippines' ASEAN Chairmanship.

“During the retreat, the ASEAN Chair is expected to present the key priorities and deliverables of its Chairmanship under the theme “Navigating Our Future, Together.”

“The AMM Retreat provides Malaysia and other ASEAN member states with a valuable platform to strengthen collective efforts in building an inclusive, sustainable, and resilient ASEAN Community, especially amid evolving geopolitical and geoeconomic dynamics and uncertainties,” the statement read.

The Foreign Ministry said the ministers will review the implementation of decisions from the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits held in October 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, and exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest and concern.

Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro will chair the Retreat. All ASEAN Foreign Ministers and representatives, as well as ASEAN Secretary‑General Dr Kao Kim Hourn, will attend the AMM Retreat.

This year also marks the first participation of Timor‑Leste’s Foreign Minister Bendito dos Santos Freitas as a full member, following Timor‑Leste’s accession as the 11th member state of ASEAN at the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministry said Mohamad will also take the opportunity to hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts, with discussions focusing on deepening ASEAN cooperation and enhancing Malaysia’s bilateral relations with the respective countries.

-- BERNAMA