PUTRAJAYA, October 27 – At the outset, I wish to congratulate Brunei Darussalam, for a successful Chairmanship against a very challenging backdrop. With the theme, “We Care, We Prepare, We Prosper”, Brunei Darussalam has steered the ASEAN family through the trials and laid a solid foundation as we move towards recovery and resilience. Before I proceed, let me address the issue of the representation from Myanmar at these summits. Malaysia fully supports the decision made by the ASEAN Chair on this matter.
Malaysia’s position on this issue was not arrived at lightly. It was made after careful consideration and out of the necessity to preserve the credibility and integrity of ASEAN. As Member States are aware, Malaysia was a strong advocate and worked very hard to bring Myanmar into ASEAN. As such, Malaysia is deeply saddened by recent developments. Myanmar remains a valued member of the ASEAN family. Malaysia looks forward to the return to democracy in Myanmar and participation of Myanmar at the highest level in future summits.
After almost two years, the world continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic. Within ASEAN, the progress in mitigating the pandemic differs from one Member State to another. In countries where the situation is improving, it is evident that vaccination is a huge factor. Unfortunately, the distribution of vaccines has been influenced by nationalism and geopolitics rivalry. In this respect, ASEAN must enhance cooperation with like-minded countries and relevant international organizations towards ensuring that vaccines are affordable, accessible and equitably shared for all.
In the meantime, the swift delivery of vaccines allocated under the ASEAN COVID-19 Response Fund is imperative. ASEAN should also consider increasing the allocation for Member States which are behind in their vaccination drives. ASEAN must also prioritize engagement in health diplomacy through greater collaboration with external partners on expanding public health capacity and development of vaccines, particularly by enhancing ASEAN’s access to relevant technology and knowledge. This will help ASEAN be more prepared to meet future health emergencies.
In moving towards post-pandemic recovery, it is imperative that we focus on the full implementation of the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework and the early operationalization of the ASEAN Travel Corridor Arrangement Framework. On the latter, Malaysia looks forward to establishing travel bubbles with other ASEAN Member States at the earliest opportunity. Moreover, ASEAN should strategize its approach in reviving regional economy, trade and investment by embracing the new norm of conducting our economic engagement through digital platforms.
In this regard, Malaysia commends the finalisation of the Bandar Seri Begawan Roadmap, which is one of the Priority Economic Deliverables that reflects ASEAN’s latest commitment towards accelerating regional recovery from the impacts of the pandemic towards becoming more resilient in facing future shocks by leveraging on digital transformation. Therefore, we need to close the digital divide through regional cooperation to ensure an inclusive expansion of the digital economy. We should also create a healthy eco-system for digitally enabled firms to play a role in converting digital technology into economic and social benefits.
The adoption of the Consolidated Strategy on the Fourth Industrial Revolution and ASEAN Digital Masterplan is certainly timely. ASEAN should swiftly implement them. On a related note, I am pleased to share that Cybersecurity Malaysia will be organizing a programme entitled ASEAN Digital Security Professional Development and Lifelong Learning. The programme focuses on capacity building and knowledge transfer on digital security. Malaysia looks forward to Member States’ support and participation.
The High Level Task Force on the ASEAN Community’s Post-2025 Vision will begin its work next year. As the Co-Chair and permanent shepherd, Malaysia is committed to working closely with the respective incumbent ASEAN Chairs and other Member States. In developing the document, the Task Force should take the following into account: Prepare ASEAN to be more agile in dealing with challenges and adapting to changes; Identify measures to make the way ASEAN works more efficient and effective with optimum · Include opportunities derived from the experience and lessons from the pandemic; and utilization of resources;
The document must be balanced between forward leaning and practical and realistic. Before concluding, I am pleased to share that Malaysia was recently elected as a member of the UN Human Rights Council for the term 2022-2024. In this regard, I wish to express Malaysia’s sincere gratitude to all ASEAN Member States for their endorsement of Malaysia’s candidacy to the HRC. Thank you.
