ASEAN Senior Officials Align Ahead Of Ministerial Retreat In Langkawi

By Linda Khoo

LANGKAWI, Jan 18 (Bernama) -- The ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) began on Saturday (Jan 18) to engage in in-depth discussions on key regional issues, formulate recommendations, and align ASEAN Member States in preparation for the ministerial-level meeting the following day.

Chaired by ASEAN Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM) Leader for Malaysia and Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Datuk Seri Amran Mohamed Zin, the meeting serves as an important preparatory session for the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' (AMM) Retreat, set to take place on Sunday.

Held at the Langkawi International Convention Centre, SOM will lay the groundwork for a productive and coordinated dialogue among ASEAN Foreign Ministers.

The SOM Leaders of 10 ASEAN Member States and Observer State Timor-Leste attended the meetings. Myanmar is sending a non-political representative to the AMM.

In a statement, Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry stated that the discussions will focus on Malaysia’s key priorities during its ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, under the theme of “Inclusivity and Sustainability”.

It said these priorities include strengthening ASEAN Centrality through sustained dialogues and promoting strategic trust among nations.

“Malaysia will also seek to enhance ASEAN intra-trade and investment, leveraging advancements in science, technology, and digital transformation,” the statement read.

The Foreign Ministry also stated that Malaysia will prioritise inclusivity and sustainability in regional community-building efforts, aiming to narrow development gaps, improve living standards, and address climate change.

The SOM marks an important step in setting the tone and agenda for Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, leading up to the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat on Sunday, which will be the first ministerial-level gathering under Malaysia's chairmanship.

On the sidelines, Malaysia’s Foreign Minister, Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, is holding bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Thailand and Brunei at the Langkawi International Convention Centre.

Later in the evening, Mohamad will host a welcome dinner for the Foreign Ministers of ASEAN, Timor-Leste, the ASEAN Secretary-General, and their spouses.

Over 200 delegates from the 10 ASEAN Member States and Observer State Timor-Leste are attending the retreat.

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

-- BERNAMA