Singapore’s Foreign Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan joins ASEAN counterparts in Kuala Lumpur to deepen collaboration on trade, energy security, and digital growth.
At the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) and Related Meetings held in Kuala Lumpur from 8 to 11 July 2025, Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan joined his regional counterparts to discuss key initiatives for strengthening ASEAN’s economic integration and regional resilience.
During the meetings, Ministers held extensive discussions on upgrading the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) and advancing the Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) to tap into the region’s digital and green growth potential. The meeting also emphasised the urgency of accelerating the ASEAN Power Grid as part of broader efforts to secure a sustainable energy future for the region. Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to upholding an open, inclusive, and rules-based regional architecture, while expanding partnerships with ASEAN’s external partners.
The AMM also welcomed Timor-Leste’s forthcoming accession as ASEAN’s 11th member at the upcoming 47th ASEAN Summit in October 2025. Dr Balakrishnan reiterated Singapore’s strong support for Timor-Leste’s readiness through capacity-building initiatives under the Singapore–Timor-Leste ASEAN Readiness Support (STARS) package and the Singapore Cooperation Programme.
On the sidelines, ASEAN Foreign Ministers, including Dr Balakrishnan, paid a courtesy call on Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and held bilateral discussions with Norwegian State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Andreas Motzfeldt Kravik. Singapore also welcomed the signing of the Instrument of Accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) by the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria and the Oriental Republic of Uruguay.
Source: MFA
