MANILA: From protecting children against online dangers to addressing Myanmar’s prolonged crisis, Asean leaders and their international partners opened the 49th Asean Summit with calls for closer cooperation in tackling regional challenges.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva singled out Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines for their progress in protecting minors online, according to reports by Brazilian news outlets UOL and Folha de S.Paulo.
He also warned that the concentration of power among global technology corporations threatened national sovereignty and citizens’ rights.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim echoed these concerns during the plenary session yesterday, saying the development and governance of artificial intelligence “must not be dictated by the commercial interests of a handful of global technology corporations”.
On the diplomatic front, Anwar met his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney to explore stronger trade and investment ties, particularly in energy, digital economy and technology.
“Malaysia and Canada will continue strengthening the friendship and cooperation between our countries for our mutual benefit and prosperity,” Anwar wrote on Facebook yesterday.
He also met with Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and Prince Abdul Mateen, describing the engagement as reflecting the close friendship and brotherhood between the two countries.
On Myanmar, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said Asean leaders had agreed to maintain “constructive and principled engagement” with the country while upholding the Five-Point Consensus.
He urged Asean to consider what more it could do to help Myanmar as the conflict continued to displace families and disrupt communities.
The renewed commitment comes as the International Court of Justice is expected to deliver its judgment on Thursday in a case brought by The Gambia alleging that Myanmar violated the Genocide Convention in its treatment of the Rohingya, according to The Guardian. Myanmar denies the allegations.
Marcos said the Philippines aimed to complete all 19 priority economic deliverables under its Asean chairmanship by year-end.
“These efforts will culminate in the completion of all 19 priority economic deliverables of the Philippine Chairship by the end of 2026, including the signing of the Asean Digital Economy Framework Agreement,” he added.
