THE Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ (ASEAN) sees a critical need for infrastructure investment and green growth to ensure long-term resilience amid natural disasters and climate change.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stressed that resilience requires both literal and financial infrastructure capablilities to withstanding the region's frequent natural disasters.
Speaking at the ASEAN Investment Conference 2025 today, Anwar said: “Resilience also requires investment in infrastructure that can weather storms, both literal and financial. Our Southeast Asian neighbours are especially prone to natural disasters, and our capacity to manage adverse weather events, safeguard critical infrastructure, and protect vulnerable communities must be significantly improved.”
Anwar also underscored the importance of green growth, calling it a strategic economic necessity.
He pointed to technologies such as carbon capture, circular production models, and low-emission innovations as key to shaping the region's future.
He added that ASEAN’s digital transformation is progressing, but warned that investments in digital literacy, infrastructure, and governance are vital to prevent exacerbating inequalities.
In an effort to support small businesses in adapting to global sustainability standards, Anwar introduced the ASEAN Simplified ESG Disclosure Guide for SMEs.
“Compliance with global sustainability standards is daunting for a company of, say, five people. That is why Malaysia, with the support of our partners, is launching the ASEAN Simplified ESG Disclosure Guide for SMEs,” he explained.
Despite the challenges facing the region, Anwar reflected on ASEAN’s enduring ability to adapt.
“At times like these, there is a temptation to retreat into nostalgia or fatalism. But ASEAN has always been a creature of evolution, not revolution. Its strength lies not in drama, but in durability.
“Over nearly six decades, it has withstood wars, crises, and coups, and still managed to inch forward, often frustratingly, but forward nonetheless,” he said.
He concluded by highlighting the importance of deeper economic integration within ASEAN, noting key initiatives such as the ASEAN power grid, expanded ASEAN payment connectivity, and efforts to foster regional champions across various sectors, including financial services, energy, healthcare, tourism, telecommunications, and logistics.
“The Trump tariffs are not the first challenge to multilateralism, nor will they be the last. But if ASEAN can hold its nerve – staying open, pragmatic, and cohesive – it may yet be among the last believers in a world that works better when it works together,” Anwar said, before officially launching the ASEAN Simplified ESG Disclosure Guide for SMEs in Supply Chains session in Kuala Lumpur today. - April 8, 2025
