Looking ahead: Chinh delivering his special keynote address at the ALPF in Kuala Lumpur. — YAP CHEE HONG/The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Greater unity within Asean is urgently needed to confront today’s global challenges, says Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the 2025 Asean Leadership and Partnership Forum (ALPF).
He said that no single country can tackle the world’s complex issues alone and emphasised the importance of multilateralism and global cooperation.
“No one can solve these global, comprehensive and people-oriented issues alone, not even the United States or China,” he said.
Citing the Covid-19 pandemic as an example, Chinh highlighted the interconnected nature of today’s world, where crises quickly impact global systems, livelihoods and public health.
The ALPF was jointly organised by the Asean Economic Club, Asean Business Club, Asean Business Advisory Council and KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific, on the eve of the 46th Asean Summit here.
In a special keynote address read by Cambodian Senior Minister Sok Siphana, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet urged Asean to adopt a more proactive stance amid a fast-evolving global economic landscape.
“We cannot afford to be reactive. By leveraging our Free Trade Agreements, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and strategic ties with key global markets, we ensure that Asean remains a driver of global growth.
“By doing so, we ensure that Asean remains a driver of global growth, rather than a bystander to external economic pressures,” he said.
Hun Manet reaffirmed Cambodia’s support for regional cooperation through initiatives such as the Asean Digital Economy Framework Agreement, while warning that a widening digital divide could hinder progress.
“Asean must take decisive steps to ensure digital transformation benefits all member states. This includes expanding digital connectivity, strengthening cybersecurity frameworks and investing in digital skills training,” he said.
Tan Sri Michael Yeoh, founder and chairman of the Asean Economic Club and president of KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific, highlighted the forum’s focus on inclusive development.
He stressed the importance of Asean’s participation in the global “great reset” to address change.
“We are living in a world facing a polycrisis, and Asean faces a VUCA environment: volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous,” he said.
Yeoh added that Asean’s path forward should focus on centrality, connectivity and climate action, while addressing disruption, digitalisation and division.
Special video addresses were also delivered by Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Asean secretary-general Dr Kao Kim Hourn.
A highlight of the forum was the presentation of the Distinguished Asean Leader Award to Chinh in recognition of his outstanding leadership and contributions to regional cooperation, economic resilience and sustainable development in Asean.
The forum was sponsored by the Kuok Group and Asia Platinum Capital, with Star Media Group Bhd, China Daily and Khmer Times as media partners.
