MALAYSIA is stepping up efforts to deepen economic integration within ASEAN and with its dialogue partners, underscoring a firm commitment to building a more resilient and forward-looking regional economy, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said on Thursday.
Delivering the keynote address at the 38th Asia-Pacific Roundtable, themed Recalibrating Asia’s Frontiers, Anwar emphasised the importance of strengthening ASEAN’s foundations through bold and collective action.
“ASEAN has laid a solid foundation that has guided us through disputes and crises, be it sovereignty and border issues, the scourge of pandemics, or climate disasters,” he said.
“It has anchored our economic integration through initiatives like the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, and in the future, the Digital Economic Framework Agreement. We will continue to place our trust in ASEAN’s founding principles and its enduring potential. But we must go further in strengthening our collective resolve.”
As Malaysia prepares to chair ASEAN, Anwar called for a leadership role that goes beyond reflecting shared values to shaping them.
“We must confront the hard truths about our regional architecture, renew our commitment to shared responsibilities, and strengthen cooperation beyond just rhetoric,” he said.
Anwar outlined several strategic priorities, including digital transformation, artificial intelligence, energy transition, and enhancing intra-regional connectivity to unlock new avenues for growth.
“Trade is not a peripheral issue, it is a pillar of regional stability. When trade weakens, divisions emerge,” he said, in reference to rising global protectionism.
He also pointed to ASEAN’s convening power, highlighting the recent ASEAN-GCC-China Summit as a demonstration of the bloc’s ability to harness economic synergies and foster institutional collaboration.
Anwar said the imminent conclusion of the Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) would be a major milestone. “It will unlock the vast potential of the regional digital economy and more importantly, greater intra-regional connectivity will create new opportunities for local businesses to expand their footprint across the region.”
Turning to sustainability, he stressed the urgency of addressing climate change and the importance of economic adaptation.
“We are intensifying efforts in energy transition and sustainable practices, including the development of investment guidelines and the ASEAN Power Grid,” he said.
“A truly people-centred ASEAN can only be realised through a greener and more resilient region,” Anwar added. - June 19, 2025
