SOUTH-EAST ASIA (Bernama): ASEAN leaders underscored the importance of maintaining a rules-based regional order, peaceful settlement of disputes and adherence to international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), amid growing geopolitical tensions and strategic rivalry in the region.
In the Chairman’s Statement issued at the close of the 48th ASEAN Summit on Friday, the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to preserving peace, security and stability through dialogue, consultation and confidence-building measures, while rejecting the threat or use of force.
Meeting under the theme "Navigating Our Future, Together”, ASEAN leaders also stressed the need to uphold ASEAN unity, centrality and solidarity in navigating an increasingly uncertain global environment.
The summit marked the first year of implementing ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future, with leaders pledging stronger coordination to realise a resilient, innovative, sustainable, and people-centred ASEAN Community.
On regional security, ASEAN leaders emphasised the importance of maritime stability and cooperation, while welcoming Cambodia’s ratification of UNCLOS and ongoing efforts to establish the ASEAN Maritime Centre in the Philippines.
The leaders also reaffirmed the continued relevance of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), which marks its 50th anniversary this year, as a key instrument for maintaining peace and stability in the region.
ASEAN leaders also stressed the importance of preserving Southeast Asia as a nuclear weapon-free zone and pledged continued engagement with Nuclear-Weapon States to advance the objectives of the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Treaty.
On the economic front, the leaders expressed confidence that ASEAN remains on course to become the world’s fourth-largest economy by 2030, despite mounting external pressures and global trade uncertainties.
ASEAN recorded economic growth of 4.9 per cent in 2025, while the region’s economy is projected to expand by 4.6 per cent in 2026, supported by strong domestic demand and sustained investment inflows.
The summit welcomed the Philippines’ 19 Priority Economic Deliverables (PEDs), aimed at accelerating digital transformation, strengthening MSMEs, promoting AI adoption and advancing sustainable and inclusive growth.
ASEAN leaders also reaffirmed support for an open, rules-based and predictable multilateral trading system, while calling for reforms to strengthen the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
The leaders welcomed progress in negotiations involving the ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement, upgrades to the ASEAN-Korea Free Trade Area, and the review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement.
They also looked forward to the commencement of a joint feasibility study on a possible ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Free Trade Agreement as part of efforts to diversify ASEAN’s external economic partnerships.
On digital integration, ASEAN leaders expressed optimism over the conclusion of negotiations for the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), expected to be signed at the 49th ASEAN Summit.
The summit also highlighted the region’s commitment to sustainability and energy transition, including support for the ASEAN Power Grid and new renewable energy targets for 2030.
ASEAN leaders further pledged stronger cooperation to combat cybercrime, online scams and transnational crime through enhanced information sharing, institutional coordination and capacity building.
Looking ahead, the leaders stressed that ASEAN’s long-term resilience would depend on its ability to remain united, adaptive and outward-looking amid geopolitical rivalry, technological disruption, climate-related risks and economic uncertainty, while preserving ASEAN’s central role in shaping the regional architecture. -- BERNAMA
