Kuala lumpur: As ASEAN chair 2025, Malaysia sees the hosting of the 45th ASEAN Railways Chief Executive Officers Conference (ARCEOs) as a meaningful extension of the nation's chairmanship agenda. Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah said the Sept 8-12, 2025 event is fully aligned with Malaysia's leadership role, and reflects its commitment to fostering unity, encouraging innovation, and strengthening partnerships throughout Southeast Asia.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah emphasized that the ARCEOs' gathering is a testament to shared ambitions and the spirit of ASEAN unity. He affirmed that the event reflects Malaysia's dedication to ensuring the region's railways remain at the forefront of progress, innovation, and cooperation for a resilient and seamlessly connected future.
He highlighted that the event exemplifies Malaysia's united pursuit of a forward-thinking, sustainable transportation system. Through collaborative dialogue and idea exchange, there is an opportunity to inspire innovation and expand partnerships within ASEAN while forging meaningful ties with global partners. Establishing world-class rail infrastructure is seen as a means to strengthen economic resilience, mitigate risks from global supply chain disruptions, and amplify ASEAN's influence on the world stage.
The 45th ARCEOs organising committee chairman Ahmad Nizam Mohamed Amin remarked that this year's conference marks a milestone in the shared pursuit of regional unity, innovation, and collaboration, which is guided by the ASEAN Community Vision 2045. The vision challenges the region to become truly integrated, prosperous, and people-centered. Railways, he emphasized, are not just a mode of transport but the arteries that will drive economic growth, social development, and environmental sustainability into the heart of this vision for the next two decades.
Together, railway operators stand at the crossroads of innovation and collaboration, transforming their collective vision for the ASEAN railway sector into tangible progress. This gathering is described as a launch pad, a place where ideas will ignite connections, and lasting change will take root for the region's future. As host, KTMB is committed to ensuring that this year's conference fosters valuable opportunities for networking, partnership, and collaboration, translating the vision into concrete action.
ARCEOs 2025 brought together about 100 delegates from ASEAN, providing a platform for ASEAN railway operators to reinforce their longstanding cooperation. The national railway organisations from the respective ASEAN countries traditionally host the event.