2. Since the Fund’s inception, AIF has financed 15 landmark projects in various sectors such as Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development, Transport, Energy, Water, and Urban Development, all of which have played a pivotal role in enhancing regional connectivity and economic integration. These projects have not only provided much-needed infrastructure but have also laid the foundation for a more interconnected ASEAN - creating synergies between countries, enhancing trade flows, and improving access to services and resources.

3.   The ASEAN Catalytic Green Finance Facility (ACGF), launched in 2019, represents a significant and forward-thinking initiative under the umbrella of the ASEAN Infrastructure Fund (AIF). ACGF serves as a catalyst for green finance, helping ASEAN countries access the necessary financial resources to implement environmentally sustainable infrastructure projects. Since 2024, AIF has undergone a transformative shift in its approach to infrastructure development by officially transitioning into a “green fund”. This transition signifies a stronger commitment by AIF to support sustainable, low-carbon, and climate-resilient infrastructure projects that align with ASEAN’s broader development goals.

4. Today, a new chapter for AIF will begin. With the endorsement of its shareholders - all the 10 countries of ASEAN and Asian Development Bank (ADB) - the AIF is unveiling its new Action Plan 2025-2028. The Action Plan commits AIF to an ambitious vision of growth, enhanced value to borrowers, new partnerships, and a higher regional presence.

5. As Malaysia assumes the role of Chair of the AIF and the ASEAN Chair for this year, we stand proud of the progress that the Fund has made and the transformative vision it upholds. Malaysia believes that the AIF represents a crucial mechanism for addressing the region’s infrastructure challenges, and we fully support its continued evolution toward a more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive ASEAN. We have high expectations of the AIF to reach its full potential. We thank the Board of Directors of AIF for the commitment, for ASEAN Finance Ministers’ Meeting (AFMM) for the endorsement of the Action Plan 2025 - 2028 and emphasis it as one of Malaysia’s Priority Economic Deliverables (PEDs) and the ADB as AIF Administrator, for all the efforts to help make this happen.
 
Ladies and gentlemen,
 
6. The theme of Malaysia’s chairmanship of ASEAN is “Inclusivity and Sustainability.” I find it fitting that these values are also embedded in the AIF. In a time of global uncertainty, it is important that Southeast Asian countries come together to advance our common goals. We look forward to working with all our fellow shareholders in AIF, with ASEAN Catalytic Green Finance Facility partners from around the world, and with the AIF Administrator to realize an ambitious, important vision for AIF to realize inclusivity and sustainability in the region’s infrastructure financing future.