From Oct 9 to 11, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim led Malaysia's delegation to the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and Related Summits in Vientiane, Laos.

This summit marked a pivotal moment as it included the official handover of the ASEAN Chairmanship for 2025 to Malaysia. Sonexay Siphandone of Lao PDR entrusted Anwar with the mandate, effective from Jan 1, 2025.

Malaysia's 2025 chairmanship is not merely symbolic but represents a significant chapter, coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the ASEAN Community’s establishment and the launch of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, which will chart ASEAN’s direction for the next two decades.

During the event, Anwar unveiled Malaysia’s chairmanship theme, "Inclusivity and Sustainability," reflecting a shared aspiration for progress that leaves no one behind. He emphasized that all decisions under Malaysia's leadership would be made by consensus among the 10 ASEAN member states.

Anwar’s commitment was evident as he instructed both government and private sectors to prepare to host and welcome ASEAN delegations throughout 2025.

A key agenda item for Malaysia’s chairmanship will be ensuring Timor-Leste’s inclusion as the 11th member of ASEAN, a move that will enhance ASEAN’s economic potential and contribute to its broader vision.

It will be a major achievement for Malaysia if it can secure consensus from all 10 member states to admit Timor-Leste, building on the leaders' 2022 agreement in principle to include the nation.

Additionally, Malaysia will reinforce ASEAN’s principle of maintaining independence while fostering bilateral relations with major powers, including the US, China, Russia, and the European Union (EU).

This stance was highlighted by Anwar during the 19th East Asia Summit (EAS), where he stressed the importance of upholding ASEAN's independence while maintaining good relations with the US and EU, strengthening ties with China, and sustaining relations with Russia in line with ASEAN's status as a free and sovereign bloc.

Tensions in the South China Sea remain a major challenge, with Malaysia advocating for diplomatic and legal solutions based on international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

At the 27th ASEAN-China Summit, Anwar acknowledged China’s regional economic contributions while emphasizing ASEAN’s position on maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea in accordance with international law.

Malaysia is also committed to resolving the Myanmar crisis peacefully. Anwar welcomed Myanmar’s willingness to send observers to the summit, opening space for dialogue. Malaysia, led by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, will spearhead efforts to coordinate negotiations with stakeholders.

Expanding ASEAN's economic cooperation globally will also be a priority. ASEAN is on track to become the world's fourth-largest economy by 2030, up from fifth position today.

This includes enhancing trade and investment networks by leveraging ASEAN’s 685 million population and finalizing the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA), scheduled for signing in 2025.

Additionally, the ASEAN-GCC + China Summit will be held in 2025, involving Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries—Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE—which are expected to open new economic opportunities for ASEAN.

Anwar’s readiness for Malaysia’s chairmanship was evident through his active participation in over 30 events, conferences, bilateral meetings, and courtesy calls with various countries and international organisations during the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits.

Among these was the ASEAN-UN Summit, where Anwar called for limits on veto power to prevent violations of international law and urged the UN Security Council to support ASEAN’s peaceful resolution efforts in Myanmar.

At the ASEAN-US Summit, Anwar affirmed Malaysia’s commitment to working with ASEAN and the US to address pending issues, including facilitating the ratification of the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Protocol by the US.

During the ASEAN-Australia Summit, Anwar emphasised to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese the need to strengthen cooperation in human capital development, particularly in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), digital economy, and clean energy.

Meanwhile, at the ASEAN Plus Three (APT) Summit, Anwar welcomed the support from China, Japan, and South Korea for technological initiatives, including robotics, AI, and electric vehicles, through the APT Cooperation Fund.

Beyond the summits, Anwar also met with various global leaders, including Xanana Gusmão (Timor-Leste), Lawrence Wong (Singapore), Pham Minh Chinh (Vietnam), Paetongtarn Shinawatra (Thailand), Sonexay Siphandone (Lao PDR), Anthony Blinken (US), Justin Trudeau (Canada), Xavier Bettel (Luxembourg), Prof. Klaus Schwab (World Economic Forum), and Charles Michel (President of the EU).

These meetings laid a strong foundation for enhancing not only Malaysia’s strategic partnerships with these nations and organisations but also ASEAN’s strategic cooperation during Malaysia’s chairmanship next year.

Anwar also used the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and related meetings to reiterate his call for the international community, particularly the US, to swiftly implement UN Security Council Resolution 2735 (2024), which outlines a three-phase plan to end the war in Gaza.

In conclusion, Malaysia’s 2025 chairmanship presents an opportunity to unite ASEAN countries toward achieving long-term goals and strengthening the bloc's position on the global stage. With a clear strategy and competent leadership under Anwar, the future of ASEAN under Malaysia's chairmanship looks bright and full of potential.

-- BERNAMA

Prof. Madya Dr. Laila Suriya Ahmad Apandi is the Dean of the School of International Studies (SoIS) at Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM).