His Excellency Ignazio Cassis,
Federal Councillor of Switzerland,
His Excellency Dr Kao Kim Hourn,
Secretary General of ASEAN,
I warmly welcome you and your delegations to this Trilateral Meeting between Malaysia, Switzerland, and the ASEAN Secretary-General.
The ASEAN-Switzerland Sectoral Dialogue Partnership was established in 2016. Our cooperation now spans across all three ASEAN Community pillars.
Through the ASEAN–Switzerland Practical Cooperation Areas (PCA) 2022–2026, we have a forward-looking framework that supports ASEAN priorities on peace, security, sustainable development and human capital growth.
This year’s ASEAN Chairmanship theme of “Inclusivity and Sustainability”, reflects ASEAN’s aspiration to build a future that leaves no one behind, while ensuring that development is balanced, resilient, and environmentally responsible.
It also aligns closely with Switzerland’s long- standing advocacy for multilateralism, human rights, and sustainable development.
Switzerland’s focus on peace, human rights, responsible business conduct, and humanitarian mine action, demonstrates a genuine alignment with ASEAN’s values.
We see this in its sustained support for ASEAN’s political-security agenda, especially through the ASEAN Inter-Governmental Commission on Human Rights, ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation, and ASEAN Regional Mine Action Centre.
On the economic front, we welcome Switzerland’s support for sustainable trade and innovation. The 2024 Joint Declaration on Economic Cooperation, between ASEAN and the European Free Trade Association, provides an avenue to enhance trade, MSME empowerment, and digital entrepreneurship.
Switzerland’s expertise in innovation and technology can contribute significantly, to ASEAN’s transition into a digital and green economy.
In the socio-cultural realm, ASEAN-Switzerland cooperation on disaster management has bolstered ASEAN’s regional resilience.
We also value contributions in climate adaptation, biodiversity, water resource management, and vocational training, especially through the ASEAN-Swiss TVET Initiative.
Beyond these, ASEAN and Switzerland play key roles in advocating peace and prosperity. ASEAN, through its annual meetings that bring together many countries, including major powers, to discuss issues of common concern and promote cooperation for mutual benefit.
Meanwhile, Switzerland’s role, as host of the World Economic Forum in Davos, underscores its standing as a key convener of global dialogue on economic, social and environmental challenges.
The WEF’s focus on inclusive and sustainable solutions aligns strongly with ASEAN’s priorities.
Together, ASEAN and Switzerland should lend a collective voice, to advocate for dialogue and peace. This is vital, in a world where warlike language has come to occupy significant space.
ASEAN and Switzerland must also promote respect for international law, as well as peaceful and just resolution to conflicts, particularly in Ukraine and Gaza.
It is imperative that Israel be held accountable for its relentless atrocities, and persistent violations of numerous international laws, in Gaza and against other countries in the region.
To allow such inhumanity and impunity to go unpunished, raises concerning questions about the credibility, of the international community and systems.
Thank you.
--BERNAMA
