By Yasmin Ahmad Zukiman
LANGKAWI, Jan 19 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has placed its MADANI principles at the heart of its ASEAN chairmanship for 2025, with a focus on inclusivity and sustainability as the region navigates a volatile global landscape.
Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said Malaysia’s leadership will aim to set a new standard for global governance, guided by the enduring values of inclusivity, diversity and future-oriented planning.
“This is why the theme of Malaysia’s chairmanship of ASEAN this year is ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability.’
"We aspire not just to set the pace for the next 12 months but to set a new standard for global governance, revolving around long-lasting values, of inclusivity, diversity, and future-oriented planning,” he said in his opening remarks at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ (AMM) Retreat here, today.
Mohamad said through MADANI principles, Malaysia will adopt an inclusive approach at every level, emphasising the importance of supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and ensuring that technology plays a key role in their development.
He reaffirmed Malaysia's commitment to promoting inclusive development, providing equitable opportunities for all segments of society, and ensuring that no one is left behind.
“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,” he said.
Mohamad underscored the importance of demonstrating inclusivity within ASEAN, adding that, “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,” he said.
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
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