Bangkok: The ‘ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future’ document is poised to steer the Southeast Asian region toward enhanced integration and the establishment of a stronger, more resilient, and prosperous future, as articulated by Thailand’s Foreign Minister, Maris Sangiampongsa. He emphasized the timeliness and critical nature of this document as the region faces global uncertainties.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Maris underscored the significance of ASEAN integration, stating that the region must fortify its unity in response to current global challenges. In an exclusive interview ahead of the 46th ASEAN Summit, Maris highlighted the consistent emphasis by ASEAN Foreign Ministers on reinforcing unity across political, economic, and social domains.

The ASEAN 2045 vision document, anticipated to be signed and launched by regional leaders during the ASEAN Summit, is structured around three key pillars: Political and Security, Economic Collaboration, and Social and Cultural. These elements collectively aim to establish a foundation for a stronger, more cohesive, and connected ASEAN over the next two decades.

Inclusivity is a fundamental aspect of the document, as Maris pointed out, ensuring that no one is left behind. He stressed that when ASEAN is united, it can engage with major powers and members of the global community effectively.

Maris also highlighted the importance of bolstering intra-ASEAN economic collaborations and expanding partnerships beyond the region. He acknowledged ASEAN’s growing global significance as a major marketplace and trading partner, emphasizing that robust people-to-people exchanges will also underpin the region’s shared future.

With a population of 690 million, ASEAN is among the world’s fastest-growing regions. The bloc’s collective GDP, nearing USD4 trillion, is projected to grow at 4.7 percent in 2025, positioning it to become the world’s fourth-largest economy by 2030.

Established in 1967, ASEAN comprises 10 member countries: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. The 46th ASEAN Summit and its related meetings, held under Malaysia’s 2025 Chairmanship theme ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability’, are expected to tackle a broad range of pressing regional and international issues.

This year marks Malaysia’s fifth time chairing the regional bloc, having previously held the ASEAN chairmanship in 1977, 1997, 2005, and 2015. Alongside the ASEAN-level meetings, two significant inter-regional summits-the 2nd ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and the ASEAN-GCC-China Summit-will also occur, highlighting the increasing engagement between Southeast Asia and its strategic partners in the Gulf and China.