ASEAN Entering New Phase In Community-Building Agenda – Sec Gen

MELAKA, Sept 9 (Bernama) -- ASEAN is entering a new phase in its community-building agenda with a clearer and more ambitious direction in tackling transnational crime, said ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn.

He highlighted Malaysia’s chairmanship under the theme ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability’ has achieved several milestones, including the adoption of ASEAN 2045, a shared future roadmap endorsed at the 46th ASEAN Summit in May.

“This development demonstrates ASEAN's commitment to fostering inclusivity and regional integration, setting out the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and its four strategic plans for the political-security, economic and socio-cultural communities, as well as ASEAN connectivity,” he said.

He made this statement in his welcoming remarks at the 19th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC) and related meetings held here today.

Kao noted that Timor-Leste will join ASEAN as its 11th member at the 47th ASEAN Summit next month, reflecting the bloc’s commitment to inclusivity and regional integration.

“I also look forward to our forthcoming consultations with the Plus Three countries, as these engagements will be critical in strengthening law enforcement cooperation and aligning regional and international approaches to the challenges we face, since international crime respects no borders,” he added.

Kao also highlighted ASEAN’s progress in strengthening intra-regional trade through the upgraded ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement and advancing external economic partnerships, thereby reinforcing sustainable growth and digital transformation.

However, he cautioned that opportunities created by integration and digitalisation bring new risks, with criminal networks exploiting open economies, porous borders and emerging technologies to diversify activities, ranging from human trafficking and cybercrime to money laundering and environmental offences.

“Such threats undermine economic stability, weaken institutions and erode public trust. Most worryingly, it affects our most vulnerable communities. I look forward to seeing these commitments translated into concrete cooperation, coordinated action and practical outcomes,” he said.

Earlier, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim attended the opening ceremony of the 19th AMMTC and related meetings, along with Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Home Ministry secretary-general Datuk Awang Alik and senior officials from the ministry and its agencies.

The event, held in conjunction with Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship 2025, underscores the country’s commitment to building a safer and more prosperous ASEAN community, with Melaka serving as the regional focal point as the region’s ministers and senior officials on security and cross-border crime prevention convene from Sept 8 to 12.

-- BERNAMA