ASEAN has made significant strides in advancing peace, stability and prosperity in the region and beyond under Malaysia’s Chairmanship this year, said ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn.
Speaking on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits here, Kao said Malaysia, under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, has focused on reinforcing ASEAN unity and its role as a global force for peace and cooperation.
“ASEAN has been very true to its spirit, meaning that since the founding in 1967, we have always talked about peace and stability in the region, because with peace and stability, we can talk about prioritising prosperity, the people and the planned agenda,” he said.
Kao described ASEAN as evolving into a global player, not limited to the region and commended Malaysia for its “decisive leadership” in addressing challenges such as the inclusion of Timor-Leste, economic cooperation, the Thailand-Cambodia crisis and engagement with Myanmar.
He highlighted that multilateralism and dialogue diplomacy continue to guide ASEAN’s approach to global conflicts, including discussions on Gaza, while maintaining strong relations with partners such as the United States, China, Japan, South Korea and the European Union.
“Unity means the strength of ASEAN. That’s important,” he said, emphasising the bloc’s commitment to its people, particularly youth and noting the focus on a people-centred approach.
Kao expressed confidence that ASEAN’s unity, peace and stability will continue to guide the bloc towards its 2045 vision. Malaysia, as ASEAN Chair for 2025, hosted the three-day summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from Oct 26 to 28, under the theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability,” aiming to build a resilient and forward-looking region.
