Kuala lumpur: ASEAN needs to ensure even closer alignment between its foreign and economic policy tracks to strengthen regional cohesion amid rising geopolitical and trade tensions, said Malaysia’s Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He emphasized the necessity for ASEAN foreign ministers and economic ministers to work in unison to effectively address these challenges, underscoring that such synergy is crucial for translating ASEAN’s unity into tangible outcomes.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anwar highlighted the evolving global landscape, warning that tools traditionally used to promote growth, such as trade and investment, are increasingly being utilized to exert political pressure and fragment global cooperation. He described this trend as the “new weather of our time” during the opening of the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM).
Anwar pointed out that power dynamics are increasingly influencing trade, with tariffs, export restrictions, and investment barriers becoming instruments of geopolitical rivalry. He urged ASEAN to confront these realities with clarity and conviction, ensuring that unity is not only expressed through declarations but also embedded in institutions, strategies, and decision-making processes.
The Prime Minister noted that this approach aligns with ASEAN’s Vision 2045, which calls for greater synergy across various pillars and sectors. He emphasized the need to build habits of coordination that match the current global challenges.
In light of recent developments, such as the United States President Donald Trump’s announcement of new tariff rates on imports from ASEAN member states, Anwar called for stronger internal integration within ASEAN. This includes expanding intra-regional trade and investment and accelerating sectoral integration to enhance resilience and relevance.
Anwar also rejected the notion of Southeast Asia being subject to external spheres of influence, stressing ASEAN’s need to chart its course deliberately and coherently. He highlighted the importance of practical cooperation in areas like connectivity, food security, digital transformation, education, public health, and climate resilience.
The Prime Minister illustrated the impact of ASEAN’s work on ordinary citizens across the region, emphasizing the potential for a more peaceful and prosperous ASEAN community. Among those present at the meeting were Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, foreign ministers from ASEAN member countries, and ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn.
The 58th AMM and related meetings are currently being held under Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship for 2025, with the theme ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability’.