Under the current world developments, which created strong fears and uncertainties in South East Asia and, equally, everywhere else on our planet, according to Bernama News Agency, quoting the Foreign Minister of Malaysia Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, ASEAN is going to organise its 46th Summit from May 26 to 27. On May 27, the ASEAN – Golf Cooperation Council (GCC)- China Summit is expected to be held in Kuala Lumpur.
According to the same statement of Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, the ASEAN and its 10 Dialogue Partners Summit, is expected to take place at the end of October (26-28) or at the beginning of November ( 3-5).
Malaysia assumed the ASEAN Chairmanship on January 1, 2025, under the theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability”.
Certainly, the most ardent topic in Asia-Pacific, as it is the case in all other parts of the world, refers to President Trump’s return to power and his new oriented foreign policy, in general, and its economic and commercial dimensions, in particular. The political analysts are offering a large spectrum of relative optimism and pessimism for Asia-Pacific. It was already taken into consideration the statements of several high American officials according to which the USA will concentrate its attention on Asia-Pacific by departing from Europe. The reverse opinion is also present in the region. Immediately after taking his position, Secretary of State contacted the Quad partners and Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam. Few weeks later, the Secretary of Defence held phone calls with counterpart officials in the Philippines and Thailand.
A much clearer and most probably more certain picture regarding the engagement of the USA with ASEAN and ASEAN with USA will be formed in October or November this year during ASEAN and Dialogue Partners Summit.
Meanwhile, China is very active in the region.
It is natural to consider that due to less favourable international circumstances the 46th ASEAN Summit is the most challenging moment in Southeast Asia. The High-Level Task Force on ASEAN Community’s Post 2025 Vision (HLTF-ACV), co-chaired by Malaysia and the Philippines, is working in full speed to successfully conclude the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and the Strategic Plans of the three Community Pillars and ASEAN Connectivity, including ASPC Strategic Plan, extremely important documents that are going to be adopted by the 46th ASEAN Summit.
There are all chances for ASEAN as organization and for ASEAN member states to stand up for their principles, unity and solidarity amid global uncertainties and significant transformations. In this respect, a very important and successful event took place in February this year in Vietnam, as initiator and founder, namely the second meeting of the ASEAN Future Forum 2025. The discussions reflected the urgency of the challenges facing countries in the region as well as the shared determination to find solutions.
G.S