KUALA LUMPUR: Asean member states’ commitment towards realising the Asean Community Vision 2045 and addressing the prolonged Myanmar crisis is expected to take centre stage at the upcoming 46th Asean Summit, according to international relations experts.
Lecturer at the History, Politics and International Affairs Research Centre, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Prof Dr Ravichandran Moorthy said Asean leaders will likely engage in in-depth discussions on the bloc’s achievements, development disparities, policy implementation effectiveness and Malaysia’s role as Chair for 2025.
He noted that Asean, formed in response to the uncertainties of the Cold War, has undergone significant transformations over the decades, including the Bali Declaration and the establishment of the Asean Community in 2015.
"Asean’s strength lies in its ability to adapt to current challenges,” he said during a special Bernama TV programme titled "Realising the Asean Community Vision 2045”, broadcast live from the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on Saturday (May 24).
"Although development disparities persist among member states, various initiatives such as intra-Asean investment and trade, as well as the ‘Asean Minus X’ formula, have significantly supported the less-developed member states in catching up,” he added.
Ravichandran also highlighted the role of the Asean special task force in ensuring the comprehensive implementation of resolutions and strategies under the Asean Community Vision 2045, which encompasses three core pillars, namely political-security, economic and socio-cultural.
Meanwhile, lecturer at the International and Strategic Studies Department, Universiti Malaya Assoc. Prof Dr Khoo Ying Hooi described Malaysia’s leadership at the 46th Asean Summit as progressive and unconventional, particularly through multilateral diplomacy and active engagement with strategic partners such as China and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
"Assuming the Asean Chairmanship gives Malaysia an advantage to strengthen its regional roles,” she said.
On the Myanmar issue, she opined that the absence of a clear timeline in the Five-Point Consensus has weakened Asean’s ability to address the ongoing conflict.
Nevertheless, she noted that Malaysia achieved a significant milestone this year by initiating engagement with Myanmar’s National Unity Government and the military junta.
"This approach opens new avenues for dialogue, but the direction moving forward remains uncertain,” she said.
The 46th Asean Summit, held under Malaysia’s 2025 Chairmanship theme, "Inclusivity and Sustainability”, will bring together leaders from member states to discuss regional issues and map out the bloc’s future direction.
Also scheduled are the 2nd Asean-GCC Summit and the Asean-GCC-China Summit, reflecting Asean’s ongoing efforts to strengthen regional and international cooperation.- Bernama
