ASEAN Leaders, alongside the United Nations and regional partners, convened in Kuala Lumpur to reaffirm their shared commitment to inclusivity, sustainability, and regional cooperation under the ASEAN 2045 vision
Malaysia, as Chair of ASEAN for 2025, continued to advance the theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability” through a series of high-level engagements during the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Kuala Lumpur. Among the key events were the 15th ASEAN–UN Summit, the 5th Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Summit, and the 20th East Asia Summit (EAS)—each reflecting ASEAN’s dedication to strengthening partnerships and promoting a resilient and peaceful region.
Image by The ASEAN Secretariat
The 15th ASEAN–UN Summit, held in Kuala Lumpur, reaffirmed the importance of the ASEAN–UN Comprehensive Partnership and underscored a shared commitment to peace, security, stability, and prosperity within the framework of inclusivity and sustainability. Leaders welcomed the adoption of the new ASEAN–UN Plan of Action (2026–2030), which will guide future cooperation to advance ASEAN’s long-term vision, ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future. The meeting was attended by ASEAN Leaders, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, and the Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr Kao Kim Hourn.
Image by The ASEAN Secretariat
The 5th RCEP Summit brought together Leaders from the RCEP Participating Countries—ASEAN Member States, Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, and the Republic of Korea—for their first meeting since the Agreement entered into force in 2022. The Leaders reaffirmed their unity and commitment to upholding an open, inclusive, and rules-based multilateral trading system amid global economic uncertainty. They also emphasised the importance of accelerating full implementation of the Agreement to maximise its benefits for sustainable economic recovery and integration across the Asia-Pacific region.
Image by The ASEAN Secretariat
Meanwhile, the 20th East Asia Summit (EAS) marked a significant milestone—two decades since its establishment as the premier Leaders-led platform for dialogue and cooperation on strategic, political, and economic issues in the Indo-Pacific. The Summit was attended by Heads of State and Government, as well as the Presidents of BRICS and the G20, who shared insights on advancing global cooperation and sustainable economic growth. Leaders adopted the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the Twentieth Anniversary of the EAS alongside thematic statements addressing regional stability, connectivity, and sustainable development.
Collectively, these Summits under ASEAN Malaysia 2025 demonstrated ASEAN’s proactive role in navigating global shifts while reinforcing its principles of Centrality, inclusivity, and sustainability. The discussions reflected the region’s continued effort to promote cooperation across sectors—ranging from peace and security to trade, climate resilience, and digital transformation.
As the host nation, Malaysia’s leadership helped foster an environment of trust and collaboration among ASEAN Member States and partners, ensuring that the outcomes of the Summits contribute meaningfully to building a more integrated, resilient, and forward-looking ASEAN Community.
Source: The ASEAN Secretariat
