Kuala lumpur: Malaysia has called for a more unified and integrated approach across ASEAN's political-security and economic pillars to ensure the regional bloc remains resilient, relevant, and competitive amid growing global uncertainties. Foreign Ministry secretary-general and Malaysia's ASEAN Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM) Leader Datuk Seri Amran Mohamed Zin emphasized the significance of closer coordination between ASEAN's core sectors to tackle cross-border challenges and enhance policy coherence, especially with the upcoming Joint Ministerial Meeting between Foreign and Economic Ministers scheduled for this Saturday.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Amran, in his opening remarks at the ASEAN Joint SOM and Senior Economic Officials' Meeting (SEOM), highlighted the importance of fostering deeper collaboration between the political security and economic tracks of ASEAN. He asserted that such collaboration would bolster ASEAN's capacity to address complex issues ranging from peace and regional stability to trade and investment facilitation. The meeting was co-chaired by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) deputy secretary-general (Trade) Mastura Ahmad Mustafa, focusing on aligning ASEAN's strategic priorities and ensuring that regional policies are mutually reinforcing across the economic and political-security pillars.
Amran articulated that the objective of the discussions is to prepare ministers to advance policies that safeguard regional stability and drive sustainable growth and prosperity for all ASEAN member states. He pointed out the increasing complexity and transformation in the global landscape, characterized by geopolitical tensions, economic fragmentation, and rapid technological advancements that are reshaping international cooperation.
He further noted that the established order structuring international relations and trade is deteriorating, with geopolitical tensions and economic fragmentation reshaping engagement and cooperation among nations. Amran praised the ASEAN Geoeconomic Task Force (AGTF) for its strategic work in enabling ASEAN to respond more effectively to global economic dynamics.
The 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, set to occur at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from October 26 to 28, under Malaysia's ASEAN 2025 Chairmanship themed "Inclusivity and Sustainability," is anticipated to be the largest in ASEAN history. It will serve as a critical platform to enhance regional cooperation, strengthen collective resilience, and address shared challenges cohesively and inclusively.
This marks Malaysia's fifth time chairing ASEAN since the bloc's establishment in 1967, following its previous chairmanships in 2015, 2005, 1997, and 1977.