The 46th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit officially opened in Kuala Lumpur on Monday, as regional leaders gathered to address pressing global and regional challenges, including U.S. tariffs, the conflict in Myanmar, and ongoing maritime disputes in the South China Sea.
The summit began with the traditional ASEAN handshake, symbolizing unity and cooperation among the bloc’s ten member states. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, serving as the current ASEAN chair, is presiding over the summit.
Opening Address by Malaysian PM
In his opening remarks, Anwar highlighted the shifting global landscape, noting that the international trading system is under strain amid rising protectionism and unilateral tariffs imposed by the United States.
“Indeed, a transition in the geopolitical order is underway, and the global trading system is under further strain with the recent imposition of US unilateral tariffs,” Anwar said.
He revealed that he has written to U.S. President Donald Trump to request an ASEAN-U.S. summit this year aimed at resolving tariff-related issues. While ASEAN economies have been impacted by tariffs ranging from 10% to 49%, a 90-day suspension announced last month by Washington has opened the door for renewed dialogue.
Strengthening ASEAN Resilience
Anwar emphasized that ASEAN has the resilience and collective strength to navigate the ongoing turbulence.
“Our peace, stability, and prosperity have long depended on an open, inclusive, rules-based international order anchored in the free flow of trade, capital, and people,” he said. “These foundations are now being dismantled under the weight of arbitrary actions.”
Nonetheless, he expressed confidence in ASEAN’s ability to withstand external pressures, asserting, “I strongly believe in the fortitude and staying power of ASEAN to weather the storms of challenges and uncertainties.”
Deepening Strategic Partnerships
The Malaysian premier also underlined the importance of enhancing ASEAN’s cooperation with key global partners. He pointed to the first-ever ASEAN-China-GCC Summit, describing it as a pivotal step in building closer ties with China, ASEAN’s largest economic partner, and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
Key Sessions and Declaration
The summit agenda includes high-level dialogues between ASEAN leaders and representatives from the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, ASEAN Youth, and the ASEAN Business Advisory Council.
The highlight of the day will be the signing of the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future, a roadmap outlining the bloc’s long-term vision for regional development, cooperation, and integration.
ASEAN is a 10-member regional organisation that includes Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Brunei, Thailand, Myanmar, the Philippines, Cambodia, Singapore, and Malaysia, which assumed the rotating chairmanship for 2025.
