VIENTIANE: Malaysia is set to assume the Asean chairmanship during the closing ceremony of the 44th and 45th Asean Summits and Related Summits on Friday (Oct 11).
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will officially receive the handover of the Asean Chairmanship from Laos’ Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone during the event, marking the transition for Malaysia to lead Asean in 2025.
Anwar is expected to deliver brief remarks outlining Malaysia’s vision and priorities for Asean in 2025 during the closing ceremony.
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Before the handover, Anwar, along with the leaders of the nine other Asean member states, is expected to meet US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the 12th Asean-US Summit at the National Convention Centre (NCC) in Vientiane.
Key topics anticipated during the summit include discussions on the South China Sea, developments in Myanmar, as well as ongoing situations in Palestine and the Middle East.
Anwar will participate in the 19th East Asia Summit, the 14th Asean-United Nations Summit, and the 2nd Asia Zero Emission Community Leaders Meeting.
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In between these high-level meetings, Anwar is scheduled to receive a courtesy call from Luxembourg’s Vice Prime Minister Xavier Bettel, before holding a bilateral meeting with Laos’ Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone.
Accompanying Prime Minister Anwar in these engagements are Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and Investment, Trade, and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.
Before departing Vientiane and returning to Malaysia, Anwar will hold a press conference to address the outcomes of the summits and Malaysia’s role as the incoming Asean chair.
Malaysia’s Asean chairmanship will officially begin on Jan 1, 2025. - Bernama
