ASEAN Should Take Lead In Building Resilience Amid Challenging Global Landscape - PM Anwar
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 24 (Bernama) -- ASEAN cannot be a passive observer in the face of global economic and geopolitical challenges, but should take the lead in building resilience within the grouping, which has over 600 million people, says Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
In stressing that, he said the bloc must not only respond to events but go beyond that and take the lead in strengthening supply chains, empowering micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), investing in sustainability, and embracing innovation.
“With ASEAN agreement, I believe we are capable of revitalising economic strength, not only for Malaysia but for the region as a whole, making it an important and critical region in facing challenges, and most importantly, making economic power a basic strength,” he said in his speech at the Gala Dinner for the 57th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting and Related Meetings at Taman Botani Perdana here Wednesday.
Anwar also welcomed the proposal to convene the first-ever joint ASEAN Foreign and Economic Ministers’ Meeting next month, describing it as a bold and timely initiative.
“It signals ASEAN’s resolve to address the interlinked challenges of geopolitics and geoeconomics with unity and institutionalised coherence,” he said.
The prime minister said Malaysia was proud to host and support the historic undertaking, which he hoped would chart shared principles to guide ASEAN in navigating complex realities in the years ahead.
He further underlined Malaysia’s commitment to inclusive growth, stressing that no member state should be left behind and that the dividends of integration must be equitably shared.
Looking ahead, Anwar pointed out that Timor-Leste’s admission into ASEAN by the end of October would mark another milestone, further strengthening unity and enhancing the grouping’s relevance amid global uncertainties.
"Having just returned from addressing the Timor-Leste parliament this morning, their admission into ASEAN will further strengthen the region's unity, enhance our relevance and deepen our resilience in the face of global uncertainties," he said.
Earlier, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz said Malaysia's theme of inclusivity and sustainability as ASEAN chair is not merely a slogan but guiding compass to navigate complexity with clarity and change with cohesion in the face of global uncertainties.
"In a world reshaped by rapid transformation and rising uncertainty, ASEAN must demonstrate not fragility, but unity," he added.
He said the 18 Priority Economic Deliverables (PEDs) which have been set would ensure ASEAN is not only future-ready but also future-proof.
At the same time, Tengku Zafrul said most of the PEDs are on track for delivery by the end of Malaysia’s chairmanship after months of productive engagements, and these represent real progress for businesses, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and the people.
"The outcomes of our meetings and engagements over the past nine months give us reason to be optimistic. Despite headwinds, ASEAN has outpaced and continues to outperform the world economy in key metrics such as gross domestic product (GDP) and foreign direct investment (FDI) inflow," he said.
With 680 million people, a growing middle class, and a digitally savvy and young population, Tengku Zafrul further said ASEAN is also fast becoming one of the most dynamic markets in the world, clearly a promising island amid today's economic crisis.
"However, we must continue to address vulnerabilities by developing our industries’ capacity, harmonising regulations, generating more intra and extra-ASEAN trade and empowering our people," he added.
-- BERNAMA
