CYBERJAYA: Malaysia today joined fellow Asean member states in celebrating the 58th Asean Day, with strong emphasis on this year’s theme “Towards Inclusivity and Sustainability Asean Future.”
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is expected to grace the national-level celebration and deliver a keynote address, reaffirming Malaysia’s continued commitment to Asean’s shared aspirations especially as the country holds the Chairmanship of Asean 2025.
The celebration highlights Malaysia’s leadership and achievements during its chairmanship, including efforts to enhance regional integration across Asean’s three core pillars namely political-security, economic and socio-cultural.
One of the standout moments of Malaysia’s chairmanship has been the Prime Minister’s proactive diplomatic efforts, notably in mediating the border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia. The move is widely recognised as a testament to Malaysia’s steady leadership and deep commitment to regional peace and stability.
Asean Day also serves as a platform to reaffirm the bloc’s dedication to the Asean Community Vision 2045, a comprehensive roadmap that envisions a resilient, dynamic, people-oriented and inclusive Asean prepared to navigate future challenges.
As Malaysia continues to steer Asean through the remainder of its 2025 chairmanship, a series of high-level dialogues, ministerial meetings, and cultural exchanges are expected to further advance the goals of Vision 2045.
Asean Day is celebrated annually on Aug 8 to commemorate the inception of Asean in 1967 when Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand signed the Asean Declaration (Bangkok Declaration).
More than just a date on the calendar, Asean Day symbolises the enduring commitment of South-East Asian nations to peace, progress and unity. It also reflects the region’s collective aspirations for economic and social development, deeper cooperation and a shared identity rooted in mutual respect and solidarity.
This year’s observance marks a historic milestone as the Asean Secretariat leads a dual-city celebration for the first time, simultaneously held in Jakarta, Indonesia and Osaka, Japan, reflecting Asean’s expanding global presence. – Bernama
