KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has described the adoption of the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on Asean 2045: Our Shared Future as a defining chapter in Southeast Asia’s journey toward deeper regional integration, calling for a future grounded in sustainability, inclusivity and people-centred development.
Speaking at the signing ceremony during the 46th Asean Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Anwar stressed that Asean’s progress must reflect the lived realities of its nearly 700 million citizens, according to local media.
“That means closing development gaps, raising standards of living and investing in the human spirit and potential of all our citizens,” he said.
The document was signed by Anwar, as the Chair of ASEAN, along with the leaders of 10 ASEAN member states, namely President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr of the Philippines, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam, Prime Minister Hun Manet of Cambodia, President Prabowo Subianto of Indonesia, Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone of Laos, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong of Singapore, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra of Thailand, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh of Vietnam and the Permanent Secretary of Myanmar’s Foreign Ministry, Aung Kyaw Moe.
Also on the stage was Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao of Timor-Leste, as the country was granted observer status in ASEAN in 2022.
Among those who witnessed the singing ceremony were the two Malaysian Deputy Prime Ministers, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz and Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.
Anwar said the shared blueprint outlined in the Kuala Lumpur Declaration was a vision anchored in realism, animated by resolve and made possible by trust.
“As we turn this page, we renew our promise to our peoples, to our region and to the generations yet to rise.
“Let us move forward with clarity in our vision, steadiness in our purpose and unity in our will to build the Asean we owe to the future generations,” he said, as quoted by Bernama.
The declaration, endorsed by Asean leaders, sets in motion the Asean Community Vision (ACV) 2045—a long-term plan to build a resilient, innovative and inclusive regional community.
It succeeds the Asean 2025: Forging Ahead Together agenda adopted a decade ago.
According to a set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) released today, ACV 2045 envisions Asean as a prosperous single market anchored by a highly-skilled, innovation-driven and inclusive workforce.
“The people of Asean are expected to benefit from greater employment opportunities, quality jobs, mobility of skilled labour and talents, and a thriving regional economic ecosystem built on science, technology and innovation.
The Vision also highlights access to a secure and trusted digital space and growth driven by the green and blue economy,” the document noted.
The blueprint further outlines plans to enhance intra-Asean connectivity, facilitate ease of travel and business, promote the use of local currencies in cross-border transactions, and strengthen healthcare systems.
At its core, ACV 2045 seeks to ensure equitable access to opportunities—particularly for women, youth and children—by enabling meaningful participation in policy and decision-making processes.
“For Asean’s external partners, ACV 2045 opens the door to strategic cooperation with a dynamic and resilient regional bloc committed to peace, stability and sustainable development.
It presents opportunities for collaboration on global issues such as climate change, non-traditional security threats, and economic governance,” the document added.
External stakeholders are expected to benefit through deeper economic, innovation, defence and security engagements, as well as knowledge-sharing on regional integration.
The vision also reaffirms Asean’s commitment to being a unified and credible voice in global affairs, especially through its Asean Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP).
With the endorsement of ACV 2045 and its strategic plans, Asean leaders pledged to ensure effective implementation through coordinated efforts by relevant bodies. The Asean Secretariat and ministers have been tasked with mobilising regional and external resources to support its goals.
Efforts will also be intensified to strengthen Asean’s institutional capacity, with particular focus on enhancing the Secretariat’s role in cross-sectoral coordination.
The Asean secretary-general will report annually on the progress of ACV 2045’s implementation through the Asean Coordinating Council and respective Community Councils. - May 26, 2025
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