Myanmar Crisis, New Initiatives Dominate ASEAN Meetings Today

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 24 (Bernama) -- Myanmar’s transnational crimes, the delayed implementation of the Five-Point Consensus, and the launch of three ASEAN initiatives on inclusivity and sustainability were among the key highlights on the second day of ASEAN meetings ahead of the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits slated to be held here over the weekend.

After chairing the Extended Non-Official Consultation on the Implementation of the Five-Point Consensus, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said Myanmar authorities have been urged to immediately halt transnational crimes that have adversely affected neighbouring countries and ASEAN as a whole.

He said ASEAN also called on the Myanmar administration to end all hostilities against its own people, reaffirming that efforts to stop violence remain central to the Five-Point Consensus, which guides the bloc’s actions on the crisis.

Mohamad emphasised that Myanmar’s upcoming elections must be fair, transparent and inclusive, ensuring participation from all citizens, while ASEAN observers are expected to monitor the process closely.

In another development, he congratulated Cambodia for the successful conclusion of the Kuala Lumpur Accords and the finalisation of the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT), an important mechanism to monitor and sustain the ceasefire with Thailand.

Malaysia, as ASEAN Chair for 2025, also marked a key milestone with the launch of three flagship initiatives on inclusivity and sustainability, reaffirming the region’s commitment to equitable and forward-looking development.

The initiatives are the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Excellence Centre for Green Transition in ASEAN (MEGA); the ASEAN Ahead: ASEAN STI Ecosystem Foresight 2035 and Beyond report; and the ASEAN in 2025: Shaping an Inclusive and Sustainable Future book.

On the economic front, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz said ASEAN is confident of clearing an actionable path towards a timely conclusion of the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) by 2026, with more than 70 per cent of negotiations achieved.

At the same time, Tengku Zafrul, who chaired the 26th ASEAN Economic Community Council (AECC) meeting today, said seven Priority Economic Deliverables (PEDs) have been fully completed, with another five to be delivered by the 47th ASEAN Summit.

He also highlighted that Malaysia is in the final stage of tariff negotiations with the United States (US) and hopes to conclude the deal on Sunday at the Summit.

As Kuala Lumpur prepares to host the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, regional and prominent leaders, including Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the Sultan of Brunei, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, and Timor-Leste Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, have begun arriving here for the meetings.

Other world leaders expected to congregate at the sprawling Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre include US President Donald Trump, Chinese Premier Li Qiang, European Council President Antonio Costa and Japan’s first female Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

-- BERNAMA