ASEAN Ministers stress unity and economic resilience amid global uncertainty

ASEAN Foreign and Economic Ministers acknowledged the unprecedented challenges posed by the current geopolitical and geoeconomic landscape, calling for stronger coordination across political and economic pillars to navigate an increasingly complex and fragmented environment.

Highlighting global trade uncertainties, they reaffirmed ASEAN’s commitment to a predictable, transparent, inclusive, free, fair, sustainable, and rules-based multilateral trading system, with the World Trade Organization at its centre.

They also stressed the importance of ASEAN unity and centrality in maintaining a peaceful and stable regional architecture, underscoring the need to uphold international law and strengthen partnerships with external partners.

In the Chairman’s Statement following the Asean Joint Foreign And Economic Ministers’ (AMM-AEM) meeting on Saturday, the ministers praised the work of the AGTF, noting its alignment with ASEAN’s proactive agenda and its recommendations for a three-pronged approach to address trade uncertainties, reinforce regional resilience, and shape global governance while strengthening ASEAN institutions.

“We tasked the Senior Officials, in coordination with the ASEAN Secretariat, to discuss the recommendations made by AGTF and submit their assessment and propose way forward,” the statement said.

The ministers met in Kuala Lumpur under the joint chairmanship of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, and Malaysia’s Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz.

The meeting was attended by ASEAN Ministers, the Secretary-General of ASEAN, and experts from the ASEAN Geoeconomic Task Force (AGTF), with Timor-Leste observing.

The ministers acknowledged the unprecedented challenges posed by the current geopolitical and geoeconomic landscape, calling for stronger coordination across political and economic pillars to navigate an increasingly complex and fragmented environment.

Highlighting global trade uncertainties, they reaffirmed ASEAN’s commitment to a predictable, transparent, inclusive, free, fair, sustainable, and rules-based multilateral trading system, with the World Trade Organization at its centre.

They also stressed the importance of ASEAN unity and centrality in maintaining a peaceful and stable regional architecture, underscoring the need to uphold international law and strengthen partnerships with external partners.

The ministers praised the work of the AGTF, noting its alignment with ASEAN’s proactive agenda and its recommendations for a three-pronged approach to address trade uncertainties, reinforce regional resilience, and shape global governance while strengthening ASEAN institutions.

“We tasked the Senior Officials, in coordination with the ASEAN Secretariat, to discuss the recommendations made by AGTF and submit their assessment and propose way forward,” the statement said.

They also encouraged all ASEAN Community pillars to integrate regional economic security into their work to anticipate and manage cross-pillar risks.

ASEAN reaffirmed its commitment to reinforcing confidence among partners, investors, and citizens by strengthening its political-security and economic structures.

Among the measures outlined, the ministers pledged to enhance internal coordination, boost intra-ASEAN trade and investment, uphold key agreements such as the ASEAN Trade-In-Goods Agreement and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, and leverage ASEAN Plus One Free Trade Agreements to mitigate global trade risks.

The meeting further emphasised aligning AGTF recommendations with the forthcoming ASEAN Economic Community Strategic Plan 2026–2030 and the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, to promote a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable regional economy.

The ministers recommended exploring the institutionalisation of the joint AMM-AEM meeting as an annual engagement ahead of ASEAN Summits. -October 25, 2025