KUALA LUMPUR, May 25, 2025 — A series of high-level ASEAN Ministerial Meetings begins today in Kuala Lumpur, laying the groundwork for the 46th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits on May 26-27. Under Malaysia’s 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship, themed “Inclusivity and Sustainability,” these meetings will address strategic priorities, regional security, economic integration, and global partnerships.
The ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM), chaired by Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, will tackle maritime security, the Myanmar situation, and ASEAN’s global role. Timor-Leste will join as an observer, progressing toward full membership.
Key sessions include the 29th ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Council Meeting, focusing on human rights, cybersecurity, maritime governance, and countering transnational threats, and the 36th ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC) Meeting, which will finalize summit declarations and advance the post-2025 ASEAN Community Vision.
The 25th ASEAN Economic Community Council (AECC) Meeting will prioritize digital transformation, trade facilitation, and green economy initiatives to bolster ASEAN’s global economic standing while addressing regional disparities.
Concurrently, the ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Ministerial Meeting will strengthen ties in energy security, logistics, Islamic finance, and food supply chains, reflecting ASEAN’s push for diverse, resilient partnerships in a multipolar world.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim emphasized Malaysia’s vision for deeper economic integration, trade growth, and cross-border energy connectivity.
“We aim to strengthen ASEAN’s unity, boost trade, and drive investment among members,” he said at a May 21 media briefing in Putrajaya. He underscored ASEAN’s evolution into a cohesive, values-driven force in the Indo-Pacific amid global geopolitical shifts.
This marks Malaysia’s fifth ASEAN chairmanship, following 1977, 1997, 2005, and 2015. Alongside the summit, the 2nd ASEAN-GCC Summit and the ASEAN-GCC-China Summit will further expand regional and inter-regional cooperation. The GCC comprises Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.