Kuala lumpur: Several world leaders including those from Asia, Europe, Canada, the United States, Africa, and Latin America are expected to attend the 47th ASEAN Summit scheduled to be held in Kuala Lumpur this October, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Speaking at the Prime Minister’s Meeting with the Prime Minister’s Department staff, Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, confirmed that leaders from Italy, the European Union, Canada, and the United States have already expressed their commitment to attend.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anwar stated that the ASEAN Summit will be a major international conference for Malaysia. On July 8, he mentioned that several heads of government from outside ASEAN confirmed their attendance at the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, which are scheduled from October 26 to 28. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Brazilian President Luiz In¡cio Lula da Silva, and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is currently the President of the G20 Group, are among the leaders who have confirmed their presence.
Anwar highlighted that his travels abroad were in the capacity of Malaysia being the ASEAN Chairman this year, in addition to fulfilling invitations from several world leaders. He noted his frequent travels abroad, coinciding with Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship.
Expressing confidence in the services of civil servants, including the national security forces based on their performance during the recent ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and ASEAN-China Summits, Anwar is optimistic about the successful hosting of the ASEAN Summit in October. He emphasized the capability of Malaysia’s civil servants, police, Immigration Department, and airports to deliver excellent services during international events.
The Prime Minister also shared that Malaysia’s improved ranking in the World Competitiveness Report by the Institute for Management Development (IMD) from 34th in 2024 to 23rd in 2025 reflects the international community’s confidence in Malaysia’s administrative capabilities. This improvement sends a positive signal ahead of the 47th ASEAN Summit.
The 46th ASEAN Summit, held in Kuala Lumpur in May, featured the second ASEAN GCC as well as the first-ever ASEAN-GCC-China Summit. Malaysia, as the 2025 ASEAN Chairman with the theme ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability,’ hosted the 46th ASEAN Summit and related meetings from May 22 to 27.