Ministers from ASEAN countries and Timor-Leste link hands at the opening of the Foreign Ministers’ Retreat in Malaysia.

ASEAN FM’ retreat opens in Langkawi with focus on inclusivity, sustainability

The ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat kicked off in Langkawi, Malaysia, on Sunday, under the theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability”.
This is the first major meeting under Malaysia’s ASEAN chairmanship this year and is attended by Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane, the foreign ministers of other ASEAN countries and Timor-Leste, and the Secretary General of ASEAN.
Malaysia informed participants about the priorities under Malaysia’s ASEAN chairmanship, which focus on sustainable development while moving forward, and other tasks that continue on from Laos’ ASEAN chairmanship last year.
Under the Political-Security Community, ASEAN will promote peace, stability and security in the region, the creation of an ASEAN community, and ASEAN as an effective force in fostering peace, stability and integrity in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.
The bloc will also promote the institutional capacity and effectiveness of ASEAN and increase efforts to build an ASEAN community that truly puts the people at the centre.
Under the umbrella of the Economic Community, ASEAN will promote trade and investment, determine directions that are inclusive and sustainable, promote economic integration and integration, and build the digital strength of ASEAN.
To strengthen the Socio-cultural Community, ASEAN will emphasise culture and heritage, promote the use of artificial intelligence and digitalisation, and support efforts to combat climate change and address various global issues.
There will also be a strong focus on public health initiatives for the well-being of ASEAN, alongside tapping the potential of youth and sports to strengthen development and unity.
Climate action will also take centre stage.
The meeting agreed on the priorities for 2025 under Malaysia’s ASEAN chairmanship and was informed of progress made in fulfilling agreements made at the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and related summits, which took place in Vientiane last October.
The meeting noted that 2025 is an important year because it is the last year of the implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and the master plan of all three pillars of the community.
This means goals must be achieved and strategic plans created to implement the ASEAN Community vision to 2045, to be adopted by ASEAN leaders at the 46th ASEAN Summit in May this year.
The meeting also discussed cooperation between ASEAN and the outside world and emphasised the importance of strengthening the unity and centrality of ASEAN in dealing with external partners through ASEAN-led mechanisms.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update January 21, 2025)