KUALA LUMPUR, May 25 (Bernama) -- The 46th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits are set to convene at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) tomorrow, bringing together Southeast Asian leaders for high-level discussions on regional cooperation, economic integration and geopolitical stability.
Hosted under Malaysia’s 2025 Chairmanship theme ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability’, the summits will see the participation of heads of government from all ASEAN member states, except Myanmar, and Timor-Leste as an observer country.
The day will begin with the 46th ASEAN Summit (Plenary), chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, where leaders are set to deliberate on key regional matters such as trade and investment, maritime security, climate change, and the digital economy.
The recent United States (US) tariff hikes on Southeast Asian economies are expected to be one of the main focuses, along with the ongoing Myanmar crisis and the South China Sea dispute.
Following this, the 46th ASEAN Summit (Retreat) will take place, providing a platform for leaders to engage in deeper discussions on regional challenges, strategic priorities, and efforts to reinforce ASEAN’s unity and central role amid shifting global dynamics.
Also on the schedule is the ASEAN Leaders’ Interface with Representatives of ASEAN Inter Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), set to provide a strategic platform to align regional priorities through inclusive and multi-stakeholder governance.
ASEAN Leaders’ Interface with Representatives of ASEAN Youth will also take place tomorrow which encourages youth participation in the region’s development agenda.
Another important meeting is the ASEAN Leaders’ Interface with Representatives of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC), which is expected to further deliberate on the US tariff hikes, strategies to enhance trade and investment facilitation, and digital transformation.
The highlight of the day is the signing ceremony of the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future, to mark a strategic milestone that will guide ASEAN's next phase of community-building and regional leadership.
The schedule-packed day will conclude with a Gala Dinner hosted by Anwar and his wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
This is the fifth time Malaysia has held the ASEAN chairmanship throughout its history as a member of the regional bloc, having previously chaired it in 1977, 1997, 2005 and 2015.
On Tuesday, two key high-level summits, namely the 2nd ASEAN-GCC Summit and the inaugural ASEAN-Cooperation Council (GCC)-China Summit, will also take place at the KLCC, marking an important platform for expanded regional and inter-regional cooperation.
-- BERNAMA
