Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan emphasised regional peace, economic integration, and renewed commitments from Dialogue Partners at the ASEAN Summit.
During the 2025 ASEAN Summit, Singapore’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Vivian Balakrishnan, highlighted the region’s commitment to strengthening peace, deepening cooperation, and enhancing economic integration amid a turbulent global landscape. The summit was held in Malaysia, with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan hosting delegates from across the region.
Minister Balakrishnan welcomed renewed engagement from ASEAN Dialogue Partners, including US President Donald J. Trump, Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The discussions focused on regional challenges and collaborative opportunities.
Image by: Singapore Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vivian Balakrishnan
Key milestones included the upgrade of the ASEAN–China Free Trade Area to version 3.0 and the launch of the ASEAN–New Zealand Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which will expand cooperation in trade, food security, and renewable energy.
Minister Balakrishnan also thanked the Malaysian hosts for their hospitality during the summit and expressed Singapore’s anticipation of working closely with the Philippines as ASEAN Chair in 2026.
Source: Singapore Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vivian Balakrishnan
