KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 6 — Asean Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn has commended Malaysia’s crucial role, under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, in brokering peace in the Cambodia-Thailand border conflict, which led to the signing of the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accord.
He said the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accord, achieved with the support of the United States and China, was “a remarkable achievement” that prevented further escalation of the conflict.
“The ceasefire was reached through the work of the Asean Chair. The Honourable Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, along with the Foreign Minister and teams from the Foreign and Defence Ministries, played a crucial role in brokering the ceasefire,” Kao said in his opening remarks at the 9th Asean Media Forum here on Thursday.
In an earlier interface session, he said Anwar, through telephone diplomacy, had contacted several leaders to gain their support for the ceasefire and the subsequent signing of the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accord.
Kao added that with the agreement in place, there is much hope and optimism that Asean will continue to focus on maintaining and promoting peace and stability.
He also lauded Malaysia for achieving a milestone in regional diplomacy with the full admission of Timor-Leste as the 11th member of Asean, marking a historic moment for the regional bloc.
He said Timor-Leste’s formal accession on Oct 26 represented the final round of Asean’s enlargement as envisioned in the Asean Charter, bringing the region’s community-building journey to a new level.
“I think Malaysia has achieved a milestone there with the full membership of Timor-Leste,” he said.
Meanwhile, Kao noted that Malaysia’s chairmanship of Asean this year not only oversaw the successful conclusion of the 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits but also symbolised Asean’s commitment to inclusivity and sustainability.
“The 47th Asean Summit was a success and a truly remarkable achievement not just for Malaysia as the Chair, but for Asean as a whole,” he said, describing it as one of the most dynamic gatherings in the bloc’s history.
According to Kao, the summit hosted in Kuala Lumpur drew leaders from Asia, Europe, North and South America, and Africa, demonstrating Asean’s growing global stature and enhancing its credibility as it moves towards becoming a truly global organisation.
On the economic front, Kao said the summit also achieved significant progress through the signing of the upgraded Asean Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) and the substantial conclusion of the Asean Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA).
He noted that Malaysia also hosted the fifth Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Summit, reinforcing Asean’s economic centrality.
“The work with our partners, including the Protocol to Upgrade the Asean-China FTA 3.0 and our engagement with the US under the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement, reflect Asean’s expanding cooperation footprint,” he added.
Kao also highlighted Asean’s proactive external engagement, noting that the Chair’s invitation to leaders from Brazil and South Africa reflected the region’s openness to new partnerships.
The 9th Asean Media Forum, hosted in Kuala Lumpur, brought together senior media figures, policymakers and thought leaders to strengthen communication on Asean’s progress and priorities. — Bernama
