ASEAN Chairmanship Will Benefit Grassroots Communities - Foreign Ministry Sec-Gen
PUTRAJAYA, Jan 14 (Bernama) -- The ASEAN Chairmanship 2025 will extend beyond high-level meetings, encompassing a range of activities and programmes, aimed at engaging communities at the grassroots level across the country, said Foreign Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Amran Mohamed Zin.
He said that a total of 29 programmes have been specifically designed to benefit various segments of society, including rural communities, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), youth, women, people with disabilities, senior citizens, and children, ensuring that all groups gain from Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship.
The programmes include a campaign to promote Malaysian-made goods, the ASEAN Plus Three Forum to empower rural women, the ASEAN Youth Summit and the special Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS), as well as initiatives tailored for school and higher education students.
“Priority will be given to ensuring that the initiatives and decisions put forward by the Prime Minister and the government are executed effectively, so that the ASEAN Chairmanship delivers tangible benefits to the people.
“This is a national agenda, which calls for the participation of all Malaysians and society as a whole,” he said, at a press conference on the ASEAN Chairmanship 2025, here, today.
Amran explained that all planned activities and programmes align with the vision of a people-centred ASEAN Community, as well as the theme for the ASEAN Chairmanship 2025 - ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability'.
He also shared that a total of 357 ASEAN-related meetings are scheduled to take place nationwide this year, including 14 high-level meetings involving heads of state and government.
According to Amran, the 46th ASEAN Summit is slated for mid-year, alongside the ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)-China Summit, while the 47th ASEAN Summit will be held towards the year’s end.
“In Langkawi, we will host 50 ASEAN meetings, Penang will hold 37, and other states will also play host. These events require extensive logistical preparations.
“Our aim is to bring ASEAN closer to the grassroots level, allowing ASEAN to appreciate Malaysia’s rich diversity, and providing opportunities for local communities to gain better awareness of ASEAN and benefit from business and tourism prospects,” he said
He added that the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat in Langkawi, set to begin this Saturday, will mark the official launch of Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship 2025, with the participation of over 200 foreign delegations.
Amran also highlighted that the Proton electric vehicle, eMAS 7, will debut at the retreat, as the official vehicle for senior officials, to be used throughout the year for ASEAN-related meetings.
On preparations, Amran emphasised that the entire government machinery will be mobilised to ensure the seamless execution of all agendas, showcasing Malaysia's leadership and reputation as the ASEAN Chair.
He added that, as hosts, it is Malaysia's responsibility to ensure that guests visiting this year depart with a positive impression of the country, particularly through respect, and exceptional service; the hallmark of Malaysian hospitality.
-- BERNAMA
