KUALA LUMPUR, May 26 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim officially opened the 46th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur today, positioning Malaysia at the helm of Southeast Asia’s future as the bloc’s 2025 Chair. With participation from all ASEAN leaders—except Myanmar—and high-level delegates from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and China, the summit marks a pivotal moment for advancing regional cooperation amid shifting global dynamics.
A key highlight of this year’s summit is the launch of two major trilateral platforms: the 2nd ASEAN-GCC Summit and the inaugural ASEAN-GCC-China Summit. Anwar is spearheading discussions focused on enhancing digital trade, sustainable infrastructure, and connectivity, guided by the ASEAN 2045 Vision and underscored by Malaysia’s theme of “Inclusivity and Sustainability.” The landmark Kuala Lumpur Declaration on ASEAN 2045 is set to chart the region’s developmental course for the next two decades.
Anwar also emphasized the ASEAN Power Grid undersea cable linking Vietnam to Malaysia and Singapore as a flagship achievement, reflecting tangible progress on energy transition. Alongside digital and trade strategies, the summit addresses core social issues such as poverty eradication and cybersecurity, with Anwar calling for collective ASEAN action to ensure economic growth translates into upliftment of all communities.
