Kuala lumpur: Analysts have characterized the upcoming ASEAN Joint Foreign and Economic Ministers’ Meeting as a timely and crucial initiative to tackle the intertwined geopolitical and economic challenges facing the region. The meeting, scheduled for October 25, could represent a significant turning point for ASEAN as it navigates a complex global landscape.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the decision to hold a joint meeting marks a departure from ASEAN’s usual practices, reflecting an adaptive response to an increasingly unpredictable world. The last meeting of this kind reportedly took place in 1999, with a proposed meeting in 2003 lacking official confirmation. If this meeting proceeds as planned, it will be the first of its kind in over two decades.
Geostrategist Prof Dr Azmi Hassan commented on the significance of the joint meeting during the 2025 ASEAN Summit, highlighting its potential to achieve regional consensus on critical issues like Myanmar, the South China Sea, and the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. He noted the importance of discussing tariff-related matters, emphasizing the need for consensus on trade measures used as geopolitical tools by major powers.
Prof Dr Barjoyai Bardai of Malaysia University of Science and Technology underscored the meeting’s emphasis on international trade, regional cooperation, and mobility within ASEAN. He suggested that ASEAN’s unique position could make it a focal point for global development, acting as a hub between the West and the East.
Barjoyai also highlighted the potential for ASEAN to follow the European Community’s path towards a more liberalized region, promoting freer trade, mobility, and economic cooperation. He speculated on the increasing fluidity of workforce mobility, particularly skilled talent, as ASEAN countries specialize in industries like semiconductors and Islamic finance.
The economist expressed hope that ASEAN’s economic ministers would evaluate each country’s potential and align it with global economic needs, fostering collaboration rather than competition. He pointed to Malaysia’s Chairmanship in ASEAN meetings as an opportunity to boost economic growth and living standards by leveraging regional strengths.
Barjoyai also mentioned the significance of the upcoming RCEP summit, hosted by Malaysia alongside the 47th ASEAN Summit. The RCEP represents the world’s largest free trade area, accounting for 30 percent of global GDP. He highlighted the importance of balancing relationships with global superpowers, noting the expected signing of the Asean-China Free Trade Agreement 3.0 and the attendance of US President Donald Trump at the summit.
The US’s role as a major importer of Malaysia’s semiconductor products and a key foreign direct investor was also noted, with Barjoyai emphasizing the need for careful navigation of these international relationships.