Trump, Xi, Lula, Ramaphosa Expected at 47th ASEAN Summit in Malaysia This October

PUTRAJAYA: Four major global leaders, including United States President Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, are expected to attend the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur this October, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced today.

Speaking at the 58th ASEAN Day celebration, Anwar, who is chairing ASEAN for 2025, confirmed positive RSVPs from Lula and Ramaphosa, while Trump has indicated his attendance following a recent phone call. Xi Jinping is also on the list of expected attendees.

“Securing their presence is only the first step. The greater test is to ensure they leave Malaysia and ASEAN feeling their time was well spent, with results of lasting value,” Anwar said, adding that the summit will be watched closely by the world.

Themed “Inclusivity and Sustainability,” the October summit will bring together leaders from the 10 ASEAN member states and key dialogue partners to address regional security, economic cooperation, and urgent global challenges.

Anwar reflected on ASEAN’s founding principles, noting that peace, security, and prosperity in Southeast Asia must remain the bloc’s own responsibility. He also cited recent ASEAN-led mediation in the Cambodian-Thai border conflict as proof of the grouping’s continued relevance.

Founded in 1967 with five members: Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. ASEAN has since grown to 10 members, with Timor-Leste in the process of joining. Today, ASEAN represents over 680 million people and boasts a combined GDP of US$3.6 trillion (RM15.26 trillion), ranking as the world’s fifth-largest economy.

Among those present at the ASEAN Day celebration were Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar.