United voice: (From sixth left) Anwar and Mohamad posing for a group photo with senior representatives from Asean member states’ during the opening ceremony of the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star
THE 58th Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) and Related Meetings, held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, marked a significant chapter in Malaysia’s Asean Chairmanship this year, reflecting Asean’s rising influence in a fast-evolving global order.
Held from July 8 to 11, the summit featured over 20 high-level meetings, including Post-Ministerial Conferences with key dialogue partners such as the United States (US), China, the European Union, India, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom (UK).
Over the course of the week, more than 1,500 delegates, including foreign ministers and senior officials, convened to address regional challenges and reaffirm Asean’s shared aspirations. The meetings amplified Malaysia’s chairmanship theme of “Inclusivity and Sustainability.”
From navigating strategic competition between major powers to shaping the region’s digital and energy transformation, the gathering reaffirmed Asean’s commitment to principled diplomacy and practical cooperation.
It also reinforced Malaysia’s role as a pragmatic and forward-looking convener, capable of building consensus and bridging priorities across diverse member states and global partners.
Collective strength
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, in his opening address at the AMM, called for Asean to stand united in confronting today’s geopolitical and economic headwinds.
“That is the Asean way – it must remain our guide,” he said, urging continuous dialogue, mutual respect and consensus-building.
He noted that global trade is increasingly shaped by power dynamics, warning that tools such as tariffs and export restrictions have become “sharpened instruments of geopolitical rivalry.”
“This is no passing storm. It is the new weather of our time,” he said, emphasising the need for Asean to face this new reality with clarity, coherence and foresight.
He called for stronger institutional alignment, urging: “Our cohesion must not end at declarations. It must be built into our institutions, our strategies and our economic decisions.”
Anwar stressed closer alignment between foreign and economic policy tracks, in line with Asean Community Vision 2045, which calls for greater synergy across pillars and sectors.
He advocated for stronger intra-Asean trade and investment as a foundation for long-term resilience.
“Asean will not be spoken for in absentia,” he asserted, reaffirming the region’s resolve to chart its own path by focusing on practical collaboration — connectivity, food security, digital transformation, education, public health and climate resilience.
Mohamad said Asean has become a trusted platform, with many countries seeking partnership by acceding to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in South-East Asia (TAC).
Trusted voice
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan emphasised that Asean has earned the trust of global superpowers, being recognised as a “region of peace and good economic growth.”
He stated that Asean has become a trusted platform, with many countries seeking partnership by acceding to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in South-East Asia (TAC).
Due to overwhelming interest, the government had to impose a moratorium, although exceptions were made for select countries that can bring added value to Asean.
“Some dialogue partners can bring added value to Asean, so we are not too rigid with our moratorium,” he said.
On July 9, Algeria and Uruguay formally acceded to the TAC, marking their commitment to principles of peaceful cooperation and regional harmony.
Mohamad noted that 57 countries have now become parties to the treaty. He added that 21 meetings with Asean and its external partners were held during the four-day AMM.
He also held 15 bilateral meetings with counterparts from countries including Algeria, Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Canada, Japan, China, New Zealand, the UK and the US, where they discussed strengthening bilateral ties, key international issues and Malaysia’s commitment to maintaining neutrality as a trading nation.
Strategic diplomacy
ASEAN member states are committed to deepening regional integration and fostering a prosperous, resilient, innovative, dynamic and people-centred Asean Community.
In the joint communique of the AMM, delegates reaffirmed their collective commitment to promoting peace, security and stability in the region, including the peaceful resolution of disputes with full respect for legal and diplomatic processes.
During the Asean Post-Ministerial Conferences with dialogue partners, the foreign ministers reiterated their resolve to preserve South-East Asia as a nuclear weapon-free zone — free of all other weapons of mass destruction — as outlined in the Treaty on the South-East Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) and the Asean Charter.
Mohamad said Asean is confident of concluding an effective Code of Conduct for the South China Sea soon and welcomed China’s readiness to sign and ratify the SEANWFZ Treaty — a milestone in global non-proliferation efforts.
The bloc also recognised the important role of the Asean Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime and its subsidiary mechanisms in advancing law enforcement cooperation. They highlighted the need for cross-sectoral and cross-pillar coordination to address multidimensional threats — particularly cybercrime, online scams, human trafficking and migrant smuggling.
Among other developments, they welcomed the adoption of the Asean Leaders’ Declaration on Enhanced Cooperation Against Illicit Drug Trafficking and Precursor Chemicals and reaffirmed their shared resolve to combat the production, trafficking and abuse of illicit drugs through a comprehensive and balanced approach towards a drug-free Asean.
The senior officials also reiterated their commitment to regional energy integration, including the acceleration of the Asean Power Grid and related initiatives such as the Trans-Asean Gas Pipeline, the Asean Petroleum Security Agreement and the deployment of Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) technologies.
In support of maritime stability, the delegates welcomed India’s proposal to celebrate next year as the “Asean-India Year of Maritime Cooperation,” and recognised the importance of exploring new initiatives in this area.
In the spirit of green growth, Asean welcomed the establishment of the Asean Centre of Excellence for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in green transition, which will serve as a regional platform to coordinate capacity-building for MSMEs embracing sustainable practices.
Delegates also welcomed the expansion of the Observership Programme in the Asean Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus Experts’ Working Groups (ADMM-Plus EWGs), which now includes five observer countries: Canada, France, Germany, Turkiye and the UK.
They also looked forward to the adoption of an Asean-Australia Joint Leaders’ Statement on conflict prevention and crisis management.
Significant progress was also noted in the promotion of cross-border payment connectivity, with 18 live regional and international linkages, including those with Japan, India and Hong Kong. Delegates further supported the development of a multilateral payment platform under Project Nexus.
They endorsed the finalisation of the Asean Electric Vehicle (EV) Implementation Roadmap, aimed at guiding the development of a robust and sustainable EV ecosystem across the region.
The delegates also welcomed the efforts of the Asean Working Group on AI Governance to institutionalise principles of AI safety, ethics and governance.
They also commended the Asean Digital Ministers for their proactive efforts in enhancing regional digital cooperation and driving economic growth through stronger digital competitiveness, inclusive and sustainable development and the advancement of digital talent across Asean.
Full membership
A landmark achievement during the AMM was the formal reaffirmation of Timor-Leste’s path to becoming the 11th member of Asean at the 47th Asean Summit in October this year.
The group expressed its commitment to supporting Timor-Leste in expediting its early accession to key Asean economic agreements to facilitate its full integration into the bloc.
“Timor-Leste’s accession will further expand the geographical scope of the SEANWFZ Treaty and complement broader regional security architecture in shaping strategic norms and expectations in our part of the world,” Mohamad said in his opening remarks at the SEANWFZ Commission meeting.
Social media governance
Asean is looking forward to the adoption of the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the Safe and Responsible Use of Social Media Platforms as a collective effort to promote a safer and more inclusive online environment in the region.
In a joint communique, the delegates acknowledged the commitment of the Asean Ministers Responsible for Information (AMRI) in promoting the safe and responsible use of social media platforms.
They also recognised AMRI’s efforts in enhancing cooperation to combat fake news and disinformation, while transforming the media’s role in strengthening Asean’s cohesion and mutual understanding.
Additionally, AMRI’s initiatives in developing a successor Work Plan for Information and Media (2026–2035) and the Asean Communication Master Plan III (2026–2030) were acknowledged, both of which align with the Asean 2045 Vision.
