Sustainability and openness must be part of ASEAN’s plans and goals: Anwar

The theme of Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship this year is “Inclusivity and Sustainability.” Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that these ideas must be at the heart of the group’s plans and goals.
As he began the 46th ASEAN Summit today, he said that the theme is a strategic and value-driven proposal.

“It speaks not only to our hopes, but also to our duties.” He said, “It is based on the belief that ASEAN’s future must be built on two pillars: fair, long-term growth and long-lasting resilience.”

Anwar also thanked all the ASEAN leaders for helping to make sure that Malaysia’s chairmanship moves the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 forward. Today, we will launch the vision.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, Laos’ Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, and Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra were many of the heads of state and government who were there.

Timor Leste’s Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao was there as a spectator, as was Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, the secretary-general of ASEAN.

Malaysia has had the regional group ASEAN five times, in 1977, 1997, 2005, and 2015. This is the fifth time Malaysia has held the chairmanship.

Along with the summit, two important high-level meetings will take place: the second ASEAN-GCC Summit and the first ASEAN-GCC-China Summit. These meetings will serve as strategic platforms to improve relations within and between regions.