Kuala Lumpur: The 46th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits are scheduled to take place at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) tomorrow, with Southeast Asian leaders gathering to discuss regional cooperation, economic integration, and geopolitical stability. Hosted under Malaysia’s 2025 Chairmanship theme ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability’, the summits will see the participation of heads of government from all ASEAN member states, except Myanmar, with Timor-Leste joining as an observer country.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the day will commence with the 46th ASEAN Summit (Plenary), chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Leaders are expected to deliberate on key regional matters such as trade and investment, maritime security, climate change, and the digital economy. The recent United States tariff hikes on Southeast Asian economies are anticipated to be a primary focus, alongside discussions on the ongoing Myanmar crisis and the South China Sea dispute.
Following the plenary session, the 46th ASEAN Summit (Retreat) will provide a platform for leaders to engage in deeper discussions on regional challenges, strategic priorities, and efforts to reinforce ASEAN’s unity and central role in the face of shifting global dynamics. The ASEAN Leaders’ Interface with Representatives of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) is also on the agenda, aimed at aligning regional priorities through inclusive governance.
Additionally, the ASEAN Leaders’ Interface with Representatives of ASEAN Youth will encourage youth participation in the region’s development agenda. Another important meeting is the ASEAN Leaders’ Interface with Representatives of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC), which is expected to further address the US tariff hikes, strategies to enhance trade and investment facilitation, and digital transformation.
A key highlight of the summit will be the signing ceremony of the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future, marking a strategic milestone to guide ASEAN’s next phase of community-building and regional leadership. The day will conclude with a Gala Dinner hosted by Anwar and his wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
This marks the fifth occasion Malaysia has held the ASEAN chairmanship, having previously chaired in 1977, 1997, 2005, and 2015. On Tuesday, the KLCC will also host two significant high-level summits: the 2nd ASEAN-GCC Summit and the inaugural ASEAN-Cooperation Council (GCC)-China Summit, providing an important platform for expanded regional and inter-regional cooperation.