KUALA LUMPUR: The relative peace and prosperity that Asean has enjoyed for nearly six decades are not self-sustaining, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said it must be renewed through cooperation and strengthened by shared purpose.
“That is why Asean is deepening economic linkages, widening trade and enhancing competitiveness.
“The upgrade of the Asean Trade in Goods Agreement, to be launched at this summit, will create a more seamless regional market, unlocking scale, efficiency and opportunity for our businesses and workers alike,” he said in his address at the opening ceremony of the 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits today.
Anwar said the bloc is also advancing the Asean Power Grid.
“The new APG Financing Facility will help bridge funding gaps and accelerate our transition toward cleaner, more secure energy.
“In parallel, we are moving forward on the Asean Blue Economy Framework and the Regional Electric Vehicle Ecosystem, building the foundations of sustainable industry and green growth.”
He said the bloc has also agreed to fast-track the Asean Digital Economic Framework Agreement by 2026.
This, Anwar said, follows Asean’s digital economy being expected to double to US$2 trillion by 2030.
“And to ensure technology remains our servant, not our master, we will establish the Asean AI Safety Network (AI SAFE), to embed ethics, safety, and sound governance in the use of artificial intelligence.”
Meanwhile, Anwar said the rising protectionism and shifting supply chains remind the bloc that resilience depends on adaptability.
“Asean must not stand still. We must have the courage to forge new partnerships and the foresight to deepen existing ones.”
In that spirit, he said Malaysia hosted the 2nd Asean-GCC and the Asean-GCC-China Summits earlier this year.
“Tomorrow, we convene the 5th Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Leaders’ Summit, advancing the world’s largest free-trade area toward its full potential.”
He said the bloc also welcomes Brazil and South Africa, Guests of the Chair, to the 20th East Asia Summit, an important step in widening Asean’s engagement with the Brics and the G20, and strengthening the bloc’s bridge to the Global South.
Anwar said: “The future of Asean will not be written by circumstance. It will be written by choice, by the choices we make today.”
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
