BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Asean must continue to stand firm against geopolitical tensions and trade fragmentation, which directly affect Asean's trade, investment, and the livelihoods of its peoples. Intra-Asean trade must be enhanced to ensure that Asean member states can trade more extensively with one another, deepening economic cooperation and further bring the region closer together in shared prosperity.
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah said this in his speech during the plenary session of the 47th Asean Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre in Malaysia on Sunday (Oct 26)
The Sultan also attended the opening ceremony of the 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits acccompanied by his son, Prince ‘Abdul Mateen.
Upon arrival, the monarch was welcomed by Prime Minister of Malaysia Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, as the Asean Chair in 2025.
The opening ceremony of the 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits, which was attended by leaders of Asean, Timor-Leste, Secretary-General of Asean, and guests of the Chair, commenced with welcoming remarks from the Prime Minister of Malaysia.
At the ceremony, leaders signed the Declaration on the Admission of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste into Asean. This new membership will expand Asean’s regional reach and economic integration, as well as reinforces its commitment to inclusivity.
The ceremony continued with the presentation of the Asean Prize to those that have contributed significantly towards fostering regional integration and strengthening the Asean Community. The recipient for this year is the Union of Youth Federation from Cambodia.
Meanwhile, the plenary session of the 47th Asean Summit witnessed the handover ceremony of the Second Protocol to Amend the Asean Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA).
At the plenary session, His Majesty in his speech congratulated Timor-Leste on their accession as Asean's 11th member, which will strengthen regional efforts towards realising the Asean Community Vision 2045.
The Sultan also congratulated Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Malaysia’s successful Asean chairmanship, and extended Brunei Darussalam’s full support to President Ferdinand Marcos Junior and the Philippines for their chairmanship of Asean next year.
Summit discussions were centred on trade and investment, energy, connectivity, multilateralism, and the commitment to collaborate with reliable partners in promoting regional peace, growth and stability.
In this summit, three documents were signed and 16 documents adopted and noted by the Asean leaders, including the Chairman’s Statement of the 47th Asean Summit. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
