HIS Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, has described the 46th ASEAN Summit and its related dialogues as a powerful testament to regional unity and shared aspirations for peace and prosperity.
Speaking at a Royal Luncheon held at Istana Negara on Tuesday in conjunction with the ongoing summit in Kuala Lumpur, Sultan Ibrahim said the gathering of ASEAN leaders and key dialogue partners, including the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and China, comes at a crucial time for the global community.
“These summits come at a time of growing complexity in the world. It is my hope that ASEAN and its partners will continue to stand together in unity and mutual respect, to build a future that is inclusive, resilient, and forward-looking,” said His Majesty.
Sultan Ibrahim extended a warm welcome to all leaders attending the summit and expressed Malaysia’s pride in hosting the high-level meetings, which he said reflect a deep commitment to partnership both within ASEAN and with global counterparts.
“I wish all delegates fruitful deliberations and successful outcomes. May your time here further strengthen the bonds of friendship and cooperation that unite us. Once again, I warmly welcome you to Malaysia. Though Your Majesty, Your Highnesses and Excellencies may only be here briefly, I hope you will find time to enjoy our Malaysian hospitality,” he said.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was present at the luncheon, which brought together a broad spectrum of regional and international leaders.
Among those in attendance were Prime Ministers Paetongtarn Shinawatra (Thailand), Lawrence Wong (Singapore), Ferdinand Marcos Jr (Philippines), Prabowo Subianto (Indonesia), Hun Manet (Cambodia), Sonexay Siphandone (Laos), and Pham Minh Chinh (Vietnam). Timor-Leste was represented by Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao.
From the GCC, dignitaries included Bahrain’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Kuwait’s Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, and Omani Deputy Prime Minister Sayyid Asaad bin Tarik al Said. Saudi Arabia was represented by Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Farhan Al Saud, and the United Arab Emirates by Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi. Premier Li Qiang represented China.
The 46th ASEAN Summit, held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre under the theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability”, continues with the second ASEAN-GCC Summit and the inaugural ASEAN-GCC-China Summit. The meetings aim to enhance regional cooperation and set strategic directions for ASEAN’s future.
This marks the fifth occasion Malaysia has assumed the ASEAN Chairmanship, having previously held the role in 1977, 1997, 2005, and 2015. - May 27, 2025
