'KL Declaration 2025 to boost Asean's geopolitical role'

KUALA LUMPUR, May 23 — The Kuala Lumpur Declaration, expected to be launched at this 46th Asean Summit, is set to become one of the most significant documents in Malaysia’s chairmanship history, particularly in terms of regional geopolitics and economic direction.

National Professors Council Fellow Prof Azmi Hassan said the upcoming declaration is expected to show clear differences from the 2015 Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the Establishment of the Asean Community, signed during Malaysia’s previous chairmanship.

He attributed this to Malaysia’s different approach under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim amid current regional and global geopolitical and economic developments.

“As such, I believe the new Kuala Lumpur Declaration will carry greater geopolitical weight to position Asean as a respected and recognised organisation.

“Moreover, Asean has the potential to become a problem-solving body, rather than just responding to regional issues,” he told Bernama after appearing on a special programme aired on Bernama TV yesterday ahead of the Asean Summit.

Azmi said the prime minister has placed a strong emphasis on Asean centrality, especially through deeper involvement in international issues such as the Ukraine conflict, the situation in Gaza, and the India-Pakistan crisis — all of which impact regional economic stability.

“Asean can no longer be confined to regional issues like the Myanmar crisis or the South China Sea dispute,” he said.

He also stressed the importance of a collective approach in economic matters, especially when facing external pressures such as the United States tariff policy, to ensure that negotiations by Asean member states with major powers do not undermine one another.

On Wednesday, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the Kuala Lumpur Declaration will be launched in conjunction with the 46th Asean Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, with details to be shared with the media after its official unveiling.

The 46th Asean Summit, themed Inclusivity and Sustainability, began today with senior officials’ meetings, followed by ministerial-level talks on May 25 and the leaders’ summit on May 26 and 27.

This is Malaysia’s fifth time chairing Asean, having previously held the role in 1977, 1997, 2005 and 2015.

— Bernama