ASEAN must bolster economic unity and collective resilience, says Foreign Minister

ASEAN must urgently deepen its economic integration and collective resilience in response to escalating global disruptions, including superpower rivalry, climate change, and technological upheaval, said Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

Speaking at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre ahead of the 46th ASEAN Summit, Mohamad stressed that the region is particularly vulnerable to shifts in the global order, particularly the ongoing United States–China trade war and the resulting tariff impositions.

“We must seize this moment to deepen regional economic integration so that we can better shield our region from external shocks,” he said in his opening remarks.

“As we advance our community-building efforts, we must confront the reality, that reducing the income disparities within ASEAN must be viewed as a priority.”

He underscored the importance of ASEAN acting as a unified bloc to navigate an increasingly turbulent global environment, advocating for stronger intra-regional cooperation as the foundation for future stability.

At the regional level, Mohamad pointed to ASEAN’s swift and compassionate response following the recent earthquake that struck parts of Myanmar and Thailand as a demonstration of the bloc’s values.

“ASEAN’s swift response demonstrates its core values of compassion, unity and humanitarian spirit that have defined the bloc since its inception,” he said.

The minister reaffirmed ASEAN’s commitment to supporting Myanmar in its time of crisis and urged a cessation of hostilities within the country.

“We call on the stakeholders in Myanmar to cease hostilities, and to extend and expand the ceasefire, to facilitate the long and difficult path towards recovery, and ease the suffering of the people of Myanmar.

“This tragedy has reminded us that crises do not recognise borders. Natural disasters are much like the global challenges that demand collective resolve and solidarity,” he added.

Mohamad chairs the closed-door foreign ministers’ meeting ahead of the upcoming ASEAN–Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and ASEAN–GCC–China Summits, with Malaysia hosting the ASEAN chairmanship under the theme ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability’.

The 46th ASEAN Summit and its related meetings are scheduled to take place from 26 to 27 May at the KLCC. - May 25, 2025