OPENING REMARKS

Distinguished ASEAN Colleagues,

Secretary-General of ASEAN,

It is my great pleasure, and a distinct honour, to welcome all of you to the 36th Meeting of the ASEAN Coordinating Council, held in conjunction with the 46th ASEAN Summit. 

I believe that our meeting today offers a timely opportunity, to reflect on the progress that ASEAN has achieved, across our grouping’s three pillars.

This is important, as we approach the conclusion of the vision “ASEAN 2025: Forging Ahead Together”, and move into the future with the “ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future”.  

Additionally, in preparation for tomorrow’s 46th ASEAN Summit, today we will also:  

(i) review the implementation of the decisions and commitments made by our Leaders at the last Summit in Vientiane; 

(ii) consider the progress made by Timor-Leste in implementing the Roadmap for its Full Membership in ASEAN; and  

(iii) consider the various reports in front of us.  

Colleagues, 

The vision ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future, aims to advance an ASEAN Community that is resilient, inclusive, innovative, dynamic and people-centred. 

Under Malaysia’s Chairmanship, ASEAN will leverage on advances in sciences, technology, and innovation, as well as harness the benefits of digital transformation, and new technologies.  

Rapid advancements in digital technology, particularly in artificial intelligence (A.I.) and quantum computing, have profound implications on how we move forward, as a region and a community.  

As ASEAN joins the digital world, including in the A.I. and quantum race, we must not miss out on the chance to accelerate a path for economic growth, societal progress, and greater security in the region and for our communities. 

These advances in technology would assist us in our journey, as long as we advance together as one. 

Above all, we must ensure that no one is left behind, as we prepare our region to meet future challenges, with resilience and foresight.  

Our ability to stay united, adaptive, and inclusive in this increasingly digitalised, interconnected, and complex world, will be the key to ASEAN’s competitiveness, as well as our continued relevance and success.  

ASEAN’s history stands as a testament. United and resolute, ASEAN has created extraordinary opportunities and development for its peoples.  

ASEAN must continue its rally, with purpose and in unity, to emerge stronger in the face of a turbulent world, characterised by fragmentation and uncertainty.  

On that note, I look forward to a constructive and fruitful discussion during our meeting today. 

That brings us to the end of our open-door session. I would now like to invite members of the media to leave the hall, as our meeting proceeds to its closed session. 

Thank you.

--BERNAMA