Kuala Lumpur: Progress and outcome of initiatives in the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Blueprint 2025 were among the main discussion points during the Preparatory Senior Economic Officials (Prep-SEOM) Meeting for the 25th ASEAN Economic Community Council (AECC).
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the senior economic officials deliberated on the AEC Strategic Plan 2026-2030 under the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, which is set to be launched and adopted by the ASEAN leaders on Monday. The meeting also addressed the current state of Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN.
The meeting’s agenda included discussions on regional economic performance and the effects of recent shifts in global economic policies by major economies. Strategies to address the impact of these shifts on ASEAN were also examined. Furthermore, discussions highlighted opportunities to leverage growth ahead of the 25th AECC Meeting, scheduled to be held tomorrow.
The AECC Meeting is anticipated to endorse several report and outcome documents for adoption at the 46th ASEAN Summit. It aims to provide guidance on the current situation faced by the Economic Pillar. Chaired by Malaysia’s Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry Deputy Secretary-General (Trade) Mastura Ahmad Mustafa, the meeting was attended by ASEAN Deputy Secretary-General for the ASEAN Economic Community Satvinder Singh, Brunei’s Finance and Economy Ministry Permanent Secretary (Economy, Trade and Industry) Dr. May Fa’ezah Ahmad Ariffin, and other representatives from ASEAN member states.
Representatives physically attending the meeting included Long Kemvichet (Cambodia), Nugraheni Prasetya Hastuti (Indonesia), Seng Alune Vilaysack (Laos), Marie Sherylyn D. Aquia (Philippines), Alpana Roy (Singapore), Chotima Lemsawasdikul (Thailand), Nguyen Viet Chi (Vietnam), and Augusto Junior Trindade (Timor-Leste). Dr. Marlar Myo Nyunt from Myanmar participated virtually.
The 46th ASEAN Summit will take place at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on May 26 and 27. Two key high-level meetings will be held concurrently: the 2nd ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and the inaugural ASEAN-GCC-China Summit. The Summit will bring together leaders from ASEAN member states to discuss regional issues and chart the future direction of ASEAN cooperation. ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability’ is the theme for Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship 2025.