Asean countries must ensure smooth transition to Asean 2045 vision

New Straits Times

3 days ago

KUALA LUMPUR: Asean member states must ensure a seamless transition from Asean 2025: Forging Ahead Together to Asean 2045: Our Shared Future, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
He said that two months ago, Asean leaders met and adopted Asean 2045: Our Shared Future, a new vision for the bloc that charts its direction for the next two decades.
"The vision reaffirms that Asean's destiny lies in our own hands. Our future will not be shaped by external forces, but by our own collective resolve. As such, the work must begin now.
"All Asean sectoral bodies, institutions and mechanisms should already be aligning their priorities to support the actions arising from our leaders' decision and the Asean 2045 vision," he said in his speech at the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting today.
Mohamad added that as the bloc moves towards a more inclusive, sustainable, and future-oriented Asean Community, it must urgently address the existential threat posed by climate change.
"We have witnessed first-hand the effects of rising temperatures, natural disasters, and extreme weather events in our region and among our peoples. Moving forward, we must take coordinated and urgent action to ensure our region remains adaptive and climate-resilient."
Meanwhile, Mohamad said that since the last meeting, geopolitical fault lines have continued to widen, strategic trust has eroded, and global flashpoints have intensified.
"In Europe, the war in Ukraine rages on, continuing to disrupt global markets and supply chains.
"In Gaza, Israel's brutal starvation strategy continues unchecked. Emboldened by this impunity, Israel's endless violence has expanded to other countries in the Middle East, with its latest offensive attacks on Iran," he said, adding that Malaysia absolutely condemns these atrocities.
Closer to home, Mohamad said the crisis in Myanmar continues to weigh heavily on Asean's conscience.
"Despite Asean's sustained efforts, we have yet to see meaningful progress on the ground. Delayed peace in Myanmar prolongs the sufferings of the people and threatens the region's security.
"As such, we urge the translation of proclamations of ceasefires into concrete actions, and we call on all stakeholders—particularly the SAC (Myanmar's State Administration Council), as the de facto party in power—to commit towards peace and the creation of a conducive environment for elections, in line with the aspirations of the people of Myanmar.
"Asean will continue to support the path towards a Myanmar-owned and Myanmar-led peaceful resolution to the crisis in the country."
Mohamad added that the world is witnessing the breakdown of humanity, as well as the erosion of moral and legal norms that once defined the global system. Multilateralism is under attack, while unilateralism and nationalism are on the rise.
"In this fragmented world, Asean's unity and centrality are our capital. At a time where polarisation is trending, Asean must continue to leverage its convening power to promote dialogue, diplomacy and strategic trust, and to create space for cooperation.
"The road ahead will not be easy. The external pressures on our unity will grow. The calls for us to take sides will get louder. The crises around the world may multiply.
"Amid the uncertainty and unprecedented strain of global challenges, Asean must stand firm. Asean must be the beacon of hope, be the voice of reason, and continue to be a platform for cooperation and prosperity.
"We must continue to invest and place our faith in regionalism and multilateralism. We must continue to champion the principles of justice, fairness, equality and humanity."