Malaysia Outlines Strategic Priorities for Asean Chairmanship in 2025
Malaysia has outlined three strategic priorities for Asean when it assumes the group’s chairmanship in 2025, according to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Speaking at the 44th Asean Summit Plenary Session, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of strengthening regional value chains, regulatory cooperation, expanding trade and investment linkages, and fostering digital transformation in the region.
Key Strategies for Asean Chairmanship
- Strengthening regional value chains and regulatory cooperation
- Expanding trade and investment linkages
- Fostering digital transformation in the region
- Reinforcing member countries’ economic fundamentals
- Reinventing, restructuring, and recalibrating economies while leveraging strengths
Anwar highlighted the need for Asean to secure the regional supply chain and strengthen global economic linkages to achieve economic resilience and become the fourth-largest economy by 2030. He also emphasized the importance of enhancing intra-Asean trade, particularly with the upcoming upgrade of the Asean Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) in 2025.
Exploring Economic Partnerships
As the incoming Asean chair, Anwar urged Asean to explore and expand economic partnerships beyond regional borders. Malaysia’s proposal for the Asean-GCC + China Summit in 2025 aims to achieve this expansion, with support from Asean member states. Anwar also highlighted Timor-Leste’s impending inclusion in Asean, noting that it will expand the region’s economy and contribute to a more economically resilient bloc.
Upcoming Summits and Conclusions
The 44th and 45th Asean Summits and Related Summits officially began in the Lao capital and will conclude on Friday. Anwar, along with other Asean leaders, will attend various Plus One Summits with dialogue partners and the Asean-United Nations Summit. The summits will conclude with Malaysia officially assuming the Asean chairmanship on Jan 1, 2025.
Conclusion
Malaysia’s strategic priorities for its Asean chairmanship in 2025 focus on strengthening regional value chains, expanding trade and investment linkages, and fostering digital transformation. With a commitment to economic resilience and global economic linkages, Malaysia aims to lead Asean towards becoming the fourth-largest economy by 2030.
FAQs
What are Malaysia’s key strategies for its Asean chairmanship in 2025?
Malaysia’s key strategies include strengthening regional value chains, regulatory cooperation, expanding trade and investment linkages, fostering digital transformation, reinforcing economic fundamentals, and exploring economic partnerships beyond regional borders.
When will Malaysia officially assume the Asean chairmanship?
Malaysia will officially assume the Asean chairmanship on Jan 1, 2025, following the conclusion of the 44th and 45th Asean Summits and Related Summits.