The 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, chaired by Malaysia, will take place from 26 to 28 October 2025 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, focusing on deepening regional cooperation and sustainable growth
Malaysia, as the Chair of ASEAN for 2025, hosted the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits under the theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability” at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) from 26 to 28 October 2025. The three-day summit will bring together leaders from ASEAN Member States, Dialogue Partners, and invited guests to discuss regional integration, economic recovery, and collective responses to global challenges.
The meetings will include the ASEAN Summit, ASEAN Plus One Summits with seven Dialogue Partners—Australia, China, India, Japan, Republic of Korea, Russia, and the United States—as well as the ASEAN Plus Three Summit, East Asia Summit, ASEAN–United Nations Summit, and the ASEAN–New Zealand Commemorative Summit, marking 50 years of dialogue relations. In addition, Malaysia will host the 5th Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Summit and the 3rd Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) Leaders Meeting on the sidelines.
Image by ASEAN Malaysia 2025
The Opening Ceremony of the Summit, held on 26 October 2025, was attended by all ASEAN Leaders, including the President and Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, along with other invited dignitaries. A landmark moment of the ceremony was the Signing of the Declaration on the Admission of Timor-Leste into ASEAN, officially recognising the nation as the 11th Member State of ASEAN—a historic step towards greater regional inclusivity.
The 47th ASEAN Summit, chaired by Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, comprises Plenary and Retreat Sessions. The Plenary Session also features participation from the Prime Minister of Canada, the President of the European Council, and the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Discussions focus on strengthening ASEAN Community-building, fostering economic growth, and enhancing regional connectivity, while reaffirming the bloc’s unity and Centrality in maintaining a rules-based multilateral order amid evolving geopolitical dynamics.
Image by ASEAN Malaysia 2025
External partners such as Canada and the European Union are expected to share their perspectives on advancing cooperation with ASEAN, while the IMF will provide insights into global economic developments and potential areas for deeper collaboration. The Retreat Session will review the Five-Point Consensus (5PC) on Myanmar and discuss the ongoing political and humanitarian situation in the country, alongside other pressing regional and global issues.
At the invitation of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn is leading the ASEAN Secretariat Delegation to the Summit. Key events include the Signing Ceremony of the Instrument of Accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) by Finland, the Second Protocol to Amend the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA), the RCEP Leaders’ Summit, and the ASEAN Prize Presentation Ceremony.
Ahead of the main events, Dr Kao participated in a series of ministerial meetings on 25 October 2025, including the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM), the 30th ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Council Meeting, the 37th ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC) Meeting, and the Joint Foreign and Economic Ministers’ Meeting. Bilateral discussions with ASEAN Member States and external partners are also being held to strengthen existing cooperation, explore new areas for collaboration, and advance the region’s vision for inclusive and sustainable development.
Source: The ASEAN Secretariat & Ministry of Foreign Affairs Malaysia
