Kuala Lumpur: The 46th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits concluded with leaders engaging in strategic deliberations aimed at advancing regional integration and pursuing high-level diplomacy to address regional problems, including the ongoing crisis in Myanmar.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, ASEAN leaders praised Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for his effective leadership as ASEAN Chair for 2025. Anwar, also serving as Finance Minister, was commended by ASEAN leaders as well as counterparts from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and China for leading summit talks during the 46th ASEAN Summit, the 2nd ASEAN-GCC Summit, and the inaugural ASEAN-GCC-China Summit.
The summits provided a platform for ASEAN to extend its engagement beyond internal matters. Leaders discussed the impact of American tariffs on 168 countries, including ASEAN members. They agreed to enhance regional resilience by leveraging strengths, reinforcing economies through greater trade and investment, and forming commercial linkages with other groupings.
'In 2023, the GCC was ASEAN's seventh largest trading partner with total trade reaching USD130.7 billion, while investment is also growing,' Anwar stated in his opening remarks during the ASEAN-GCC Summit.
A significant achievement at the ASEAN Summit was the adoption of the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future, outlining the bloc's long-term vision for a resilient, inclusive, and people-centered ASEAN. 'Regional integration must be genuinely people-centered,' Anwar emphasized.
In support of this vision, the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Strategic Plan 2026-2030 was also adopted, detailing strategic goals, objectives, and measures designed to drive integration and build resilience against external shocks.
ASEAN leaders also addressed the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) President Tan Sri Dr Johari Abdul highlighted the bloc's stance on the issue, calling for an end to violence in Gaza and for humanitarian assistance.
The summit reaffirmed ASEAN's support for Timor-Leste's full membership, recognizing the country's progress in implementing its roadmap. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto expressed support for Papua New Guinea's aspirations to join the bloc.
ASEAN Economic Ministers concluded negotiations for upgrading the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA) and revising the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA). Both are expected to be signed at the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. emphasized the role of the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) in narrowing development gaps.
ASEAN Foreign Ministers adopted the draft Addendum to the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) and guidelines for Timor-Leste's accession to ASEAN agreements.
Energy companies from Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam signed a joint development agreement to explore renewable electricity exports from Vietnam, signaling a commitment to regional power integration.
Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand also signed the Framework of Cooperation (FoC) in Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine (CIQ) to streamline cross-border movement.
Regarding Myanmar, groundwork was laid by Anwar through talks with Myanmar's military leader and virtual discussions with the National Unity Government (NUG) Prime Minister.
At the ASEAN-GCC and ASEAN-GCC-China Summits' conclusion, Anwar announced plans for ASEAN to launch free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations with GCC countries.
Overall, the summits underscored the focus on regional integration, making Southeast Asia an attractive trade and investment destination. The 47th ASEAN Summit is scheduled for October in Kuala Lumpur under Malaysia's 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship theme 'Inclusivity and Sustainability.'