Kuala lumpur: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said ASEAN has gained growing international recognition and respect, underpinned by the strong trust, confidence, and friendship among its member states.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Prime Minister Anwar cited his recent engagements with global leaders in Brazil, Italy, and France, noting that discussions about ASEAN were a focal point in each bilateral session involving Malaysia. This, he emphasized, is a clear testament to the grouping’s rising stature on the world stage.

The Prime Minister praised the ten member countries for their achievements, highlighting the robust level of trust and confidence among them. Anwar described ASEAN’s strength as a guarantee of peace and economic growth, stressing that unity must be preserved to protect the interests of the region’s more than 600 million citizens. ‘ASEAN’s strength is a guarantee of security; ASEAN’s strength is also a guarantee of economic growth, and this strength is expected to safeguard the interests of the ASEAN people as a whole,’ he stated.

Anwar acknowledged the challenges ASEAN faces, such as the Myanmar crisis and the Five-Point Consensus, but noted that leaders have shown a consistent spirit of engagement, support, and understanding. He mentioned ASEAN’s engagement with Myanmar’s junta leader Min Aung Hlaing and National Unity Government (NUG) leader Mahn Win Khaing Than, stating, ‘we were able to proceed with the support and confidence shown by all leaders.’

Addressing the border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand, Anwar underscored ASEAN’s swift and collective response, driven by a shared commitment to peace and stability. ‘We had no hesitation at all to immediately call our colleagues in both countries to express our concern and support all intended initiatives to secure a lasting peace,’ he shared.

Despite these achievements, Anwar acknowledged areas for improvement, such as intra-ASEAN trade and joint investments. He expressed gratitude to senior ASEAN leaders past and present, as well as to the foreign ministers, for helping build a foundation of trust that continues to drive ASEAN forward.

The ongoing 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) and related meetings are being held under Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship for 2025 with the theme ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability’.