Asean remains a credible partner on global stage: Thai minister

New Straits Times

05-06-2025

KUALA LUMPUR: The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) remains a relevant and credible partner amid increasingly shifting global geopolitical and economic dynamics, said Thailand's Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa.
He emphasised that Asean's cohesiveness and commitment to peace and economic cooperation are key to its resilience.
"These elements are what make Asean strong together," he told Bernama in an interview on the sidelines of the 46th Asean Summit and Related Summits held in Malaysia's capital last week.
He said maintaining regional security and stability is vital for Asean to continue to be seen by its external partners as a region of peace and prosperity.
He highlighted several Asean-led mechanisms that have continued to be the cornerstone of the region's security and peace architecture, such as the Asean Regional Forum, East Asia Summit, and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC).
Established in 1976, the TAC is a legally binding code for interstate relations in the region and beyond.
As of October 2024, 55 countries are parties to the TAC while several others are also seeking to accede to the treaty.
"We are moving in the right direction. The concept of Asean strong together will inspire confidence in the global community that Asean is a worthy and credible partner," said Maris.
Asean was founded in Bangkok on August 8, 1967, as a non-aligned regional response to the Cold War, with Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Singapore as founding members.
Asean today consists of 10 members after the inclusion of Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. Timor-Leste is expected to officially join as its 11th member by the end of this year.
With a combined population of almost 700 million people and a gross domestic product (GDP) of US$4 trillion, the bloc is on course to become the world's fourth-largest economy by 2030.
Since its establishment, the bloc has continued to evolve to meet the challenges of the times, reflecting its pragmatism and strategic role as a constructive convener of powers.
Maris said the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on Asean Community Vision 2045 adopted during the summit is a testament to the bloc's ambition and long-term commitment to build a more integrated, prosperous and resilient future.
The vision is anchored on three core pillars, namely political-security, economic and socio-cultural, and reflects the bloc's inclusive approach to development and integration.
The Thai top diplomat also commended Malaysia's role and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's leadership as Asean Chair 2025.
"With his guidance, I can see that Asean will move in a correct direction," he added.