The four-day summit, which begins tomorrow, will see multiple multilateral meetings being held, including post-ministerial conferences with global powerhouses.
Wisma Putra secretary-general Datuk Seri Amran Mohamed Zin (pic) confirmed that all foreign ministers from Asean member countries and dialogue partners will be attending.
“Timor-Leste will also be attending this meeting as an observer,” he told the press during a curtain raiser session yesterday ahead of the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and Related Meetings.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will open the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and Related Meetings on Wednesday, which will be immediately followed by a plenary and retreat session.
Other notable meetings being held include the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Commission.
“This remains a key focus at the Asean level, especially concerning whether nuclear weapon states will agree to the SEANWFZ protocol.
“Discussions are ongoing and there are indications we can achieve progress even though it has been a lengthy process,” Amran said.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan had previously said China and Russia have agreed to become signatories to the SEANWFZ, while the United States is currently reviewing the treaty before signing.
The protocol of the treaty commits states with nuclear weapons to respect SEANWFZ and not contribute to any act that violates the treaty and its protocols; to not use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against states in the zone; and to not use or threaten to use nuclear weapons within the zone.
Four trilateral meetings will also take place during the summit, involving Malaysia and the Asean Secretariat with Brazil, Norway, Switzerland and Turkiye.
There will also be a signing ceremony of the Instrument of Accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in South-East Asia involving Algeria and Uruguay, with Amran saying more countries are showing interest towards being part of it.
More than 10 Asean Post-Ministerial Conferences will be held during the four-day meeting, including meetings with China, Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, Japan, Russia, South Korea, United States, United Kingdom and the European Union.
The 26th Asean Plus Three Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, 15th East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, 13th Mekong-ROK Cooperation Ministerial Meeting, 32nd Asean Regional Forum and 16th Mekong-Japan Cooperation Ministerial Meeting will also be held.
The Fourth Conference on Cooperation Among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development is also set to take place during this meeting with the Asean Foreign Ministers’ Interface Meeting with the Asean Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) Representatives also scheduled during the four-day meeting.
Malaysia took over the Asean chairmanship on Jan 1 this year from Laos with the theme "Inclusivity and Sustainability", reflecting the country’s commitment to fostering a united and prosperous Asean.
This is Malaysia’s fifth Asean chairmanship after having assumed the role in 1977, 1997, 2005 and 2015.
