KUALA LUMPUR: A new long-term strategic plan, Asean 2045: Our Shared Future, will chart the growth of the grouping over the next two decades, with measures to strengthen regional cooperation as well as a community-building agenda.
The document, which serves as a roadmap, has outlined broad strategic outlooks that will guide Asean in addressing the impact of existing and future megatrends, inherent opportunities, while maintaining Asean centrality.
The roadmap is a collection of six key documents, namely the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on Asean 2045: Our Shared Future, Asean Community Vision 2045, Asean Political-Security Community Strategic Plan, Asean Economic Community Strategic Plan 2026-2030, Asean Socio-Cultural Community Strategic Plan and the Asean Connectivity Strategic Plan.
Another key component is the Asean Community Vision (ACV) 2045, which aims to provide Asean member states with ample time and adaptability to align themselves with the goals as outlined in the Vision and challenges.
The ACV 2045 focuses on several areas of cooperation including political security, economic, socio-cultural, connectivity and strengthening Asean institutions.
It also identifies various existing and future megatrends which present both challenges and opportunities for Asean including the maintenance of peace, security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, including the South China Sea, and major power rivalries.
It also highlighted the issue of digitalisation and its impact on the future of work; artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
The signing of the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on Asean 2045: Our Shared Future signifies the adoption by the Asean leaders of the ACV 2045 along with all the strategic plans.
The leaders also resolved that Asean member states should implement the ACV 2045 and its plans in a timely and effective manner.
It also tasked Asean ministers and respective Asean organs and bodies, supported by the grouping’s secretary-general and secretariat, to mobilise resources from member states and external sources.
The ACV 2045 aims to provide a more peaceful, stable and secure region. It also plans to improve human rights, fundamental freedoms, dignity and social justice.
