Kuala lumpur: More regional leaders arrived here on Thursday evening ahead of the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, with foreign ministers from Cambodia and Thailand among the latest delegates to touch down at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn arrived at 9.25 pm, while Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow landed earlier at 8.30 pm. Other arrivals included Brunei's Foreign Affairs Minister II Datuk Seri Setia Erywan Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Mohd Yusof at 8.24 pm and the Philippines' Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro at 4.50 pm.
The arrival of foreign ministers from ASEAN member states and dialogue partner countries will continue tomorrow and over the next few days, followed by the arrival of heads of state and government ahead of the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits this weekend. Among the heads of state and government expected to arrive tomorrow are Timor-Leste President Jos© Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmo, as well as Brazilian President Luiz In¡cio Lula da Silva.
Under Malaysia's 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship theme of 'Inclusivity and Sustainability,' this summit is set to be one of the largest in ASEAN's history, serving as a crucial platform to foster deeper regional collaboration and address global challenges cohesively and inclusively. The event will also feature Timor-Leste's active participation as it moves towards formal accession as ASEAN's 11th member, expected to be finalised during the summit on Oct 26.
This marks the fifth time Malaysia has assumed the ASEAN Chair since the bloc's establishment in 1967, following its previous chairmanships in 2015, 2005, 1997, and 1977.