ASEAN, African Union Ties Must Move Beyond Symbolism
From M. Saraswathi
ADDIS ABABA, Nov 20 (Bernama) -- ASEAN-African Union relations must move beyond symbolism and take shape through genuine, people-centred cooperation, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said while existing frameworks and initiatives offer a foundation, both regions must be more proactive in creating mechanisms based on shared priorities – rooted in respective experiences of resilience, reform, and renewal.
“As the geopolitical realities of today compel us to recalibrate our strategic approaches, I am reminded of the spirit that saw the declaration for international cooperation adopted at the Asian-African Conference in Bandung, Indonesia, seven decades ago, laying the ideological foundation for the Non-Aligned Movement,” said the Prime Minister at the Afro-Malaysia Youth Forum here today.
Therefore, the time has come for the African Union and ASEAN to breathe new life into that spirit, to forge a new compact of cooperation for mutual benefit, and shared prosperity – not as convenient slogans but as real and tangible aspirations capable of fulfilment, said Anwar.
The Prime Minister also stressed the need for communities from the Global South to rally together in these changing times.
“Collectively, whether in Africa, Asia, Central and South America, and other parts of the world, we have never been presented with such an opportunity to reshape our roles and place in the global order. We need more representative and equitable leadership in the regional and global architectures that are taking shape today.
“Leadership that is both based on collaboration and accountable to all its stakeholders, not just the powerful and the wealthy. These are the conversations that we have in parts of Asia, with our like-minded partners in Europe, the Pacific and Latin America, and I believe that it can only be truly complete with Africa in the picture,” said Anwar.
Entitled “Youth Partnership for Shared Prosperity”, the forum was co-organised by the Ethiopian Youth Council, Pan-Africa Youth Union and Majlis Belia Malaysia, which saw 250 participants.
Also present were Ethiopia’s Minister of Women and Social Affairs, Ergoge Tesfaye, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Zaliha Mustafa and Embassy of Malaysia in Ethiopia Chargé d'Affaires Ad Interim Mohd Afandi Abu Bakar.
Ethiopia is the first destination on Anwar’s visit to the African continent. His three-day trip, which began on Nov 18 to the Horn of Africa, concludes today. This marks the first visit by a Malaysian Prime Minister.
From Addis Ababa, the Prime Minister will make a working visit to Johannesburg, South Africa, from today until Nov 23 to attend the G20 Leaders’ Summit, followed by a trip to Nairobi, Kenya, from Nov 23 to 24, before returning home.
-- BERNAMA