Latest news with #47thAseanSummit
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
No road closures for Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting, says Fahmi
PUTRAJAYA: There will be no road closure for the Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AFMM) and related meetings taking place from July 8 to 11 in Kuala Lumpur, said government spokesman Datuk Fahmi Fadzil today (June 26). "There will be no road closures for this event. However, for the 47th Asean Summit scheduled in October, more information will be provided as the date approaches." Previously, a large-scale dry run involving traffic control and road closures in preparation for the 46th Asean Summit 2025 was conducted. Five highways and 25 roads across the capital were affected during the summit. Among the affected routes were those linking Kuala Lumpur International Airport and Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang to the city centre, official accommodation venues, the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) and Istana Negara. The affected highways were Maju Expressway, Duta–Ulu Klang Expressway, Ampang–Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway, Shah Alam Expressway and the SMART Tunnel.
New Straits Times
23-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Anwar congratulates South Korea's new president, reaffirms ties
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has congratulated South Korea's newly elected President Lee Jae Myung, expressing confidence in his leadership as the country enters a new chapter. In a Facebook post, Anwar said he spoke with Lee this morning to convey his well wishes following the Democratic Party's victory in South Korea's presidential election. "I expressed full confidence in his leadership as the country enters a new chapter," he said. Anwar said both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the Malaysia–South Korea Strategic Partnership, which was elevated during his official visit to Seoul in November last year. He said ongoing cooperation between the two countries would continue to focus on four key areas — peace and security, defence, economic ties, and people-to-people exchanges through education and tourism — alongside broader regional and global collaboration. "South Korea remains Malaysia's eighth-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade exceeding US$20 billion for three consecutive years. "I reiterated Malaysia's commitment to concluding the Malaysia–Korea Free Trade Agreement (MKFTA) within this year." Anwar also extended an invitation to Lee to attend the 47th Asean Summit and the Asean–Republic of Korea Summit, both scheduled to be held in Kuala Lumpur this October. "I will attend the APEC Summit in Gyeongju this November and look forward to welcoming him on an official visit to Malaysia ahead of the Asean meetings," he said.
The Star
19-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Asean ministers agree to Langkawi joint statement on overcoming school dropouts, says Fadhlina
LANGKAWI: The Langkawi Joint Statement on Out-of-School Children and Youth (OOSCY) has been agreed upon by Asean Education Ministers as a framework to address the challenges of access to education. Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the key content of the document titled "Accelerating Innovative Strategies: Addressing the OOSCY Challenges" will be refined further in a seminar preceding the 47th Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur this October. "We went through a long process to reach consensus on this commitment. Thankfully, no amendments were needed, and national leaders have shared their views on how Asean can act as a united community to implement interventions and address this issue seriously. "Malaysia will bring this commitment to life through the organisation of a seminar in October, and we hope it can be translated into action after being agreed upon by all Education Ministers as a joint commitment," she said at a press conference following the Asean Education Ministers and Higher Education Ministers Roundtable (#EduRoundtables2025) here on Thursday (June 19). Fadhlina also emphasised that the issues of student dropout rates and the levels of numeracy and literacy are closely tied to poverty and must receive serious attention. In Malaysia, for example, several interventions have been implemented, including leading the foundational learning issue by expanding access to preschool education, establishing a special committee to strengthen the curriculum, and examining the need for digital technology reforms, including AI-powered classrooms. Langkawi's Joint Statement on OOSCY acknowledges that crises and challenges in the Asean region, including climate change, conflict situations, deepening poverty, income inequality, and the lingering effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, have exacerbated educational inequality. "We emphasise the urgent need to address educational disparities to ensure inclusive, accessible, and high-quality education for OOSCY as highlighted in the Asean Declaration on Strengthening Education for OOSCY, adopted in 2016. "We underscore the necessity for Asean Member States to accelerate the implementation of innovative, targeted, and meaningful strategies within and across Asean to reduce the number of OOSCY. "We hereby call upon Asean Member States, in collaboration with development partners, civil society, and the private sector, to accelerate the adoption of innovative, technology-enabled, and inclusive education strategies that ensure equitable learning opportunities for OOSCY, thus fostering a resilient and future-ready Asean Community," the document stated. Among the strategies highlighted to address OOSCY issues are Technology-Enabled Learning Solutions, AI-powered predictive analytics and data utilisation, capacity-building programmes, Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), and collaboration with NGOs and civil society organisations. Other strategies include Alternative and Flexible Learning Pathways, Crisis-Responsive Education Policies, Inclusive Education Initiatives, Skills Development and Workforce Readiness, and Cross-Border Collaboration and Data-Driven Decision-Making. This year marks the fifth time Malaysia has served as Asean chairman, having held the position in 1977, 1997, 2005, and 2015. – Bernama
New Straits Times
27-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Anwar: Asean deepens global ties in most substantive summit yet
KUALA LUMPUR: The 46th Asean Summit and Related Summits represent one of the most substantive milestones in Asean's history, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Anwar, who is also Asean Chairman, said the summit successfully achieved its objectives, attributing the outcome to the strong support and unity among Asean leaders, as well as the bloc's first meaningful engagement with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and China. "The inaugural meeting in Riyadh was more of a formality, serving primarily to introduce the programme. However, this time around, there were a series of sessions and in-depth discussions, culminating in a highly detailed and comprehensive joint statement. "Equally significant was the presence of Chinese Premier Li Qiang," he said at a press conference held in conjunction with the 46th Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur. Also in attendance were Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti) Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz. Anwar said that even on contentious matters such as Myanmar, a fundamental understanding had been reached. Agreements were also made regarding tariffs and collaborative joint projects. He credited the success of the summit to the exceptionally thorough and commendable preparations undertaken by the ministers and the Foreign Ministry. "Credit must also be given to the minister and staff of Miti, as well as other ministries, including Home, Economy, Finance, and Tourism. "We have delivered one of the most substantive Asean Summits in history, alongside meaningful discussions with the GCC," Anwar said. He expressed hope that progress would be made on all issues discussed ahead of the 47th Asean Summit in October. "We must do whatever is necessary — finalising free trade agreements (FTAs) with the GCC, pursuing an FTA with the European Union (EU), enhancing economic ties and promoting intra-Asean trade. All of these require concrete action. By October, we aim to see real, measurable outcomes. "These discussions are not merely symbolic declarations, but are aimed at driving tangible changes that benefit ordinary citizens. "I can genuinely sense it. There is a substantial — perhaps even dramatic — shift in attitude. We are determined to act, and everything must be done in the spirit of Asean," he said. Under the theme 'Inclusivity and Sustainability', the 2025 edition marks Malaysia's fifth term as Asean Chair, following previous chairmanships in 1977, 1997, 2005, and 2015. Held in Kuala Lumpur on May 26 and 27, the 46th Asean Summit was accompanied by the second Asean-GCC Summit and the inaugural Asean-GCC-China Summit, which also took place earlier today.
The Star
26-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Trade upgrade coming for Asean
Warm welcome: Tengku Zafrul standing alongside fellow AECC ministers before chairing the 25th AECC meeting. — Bernama Expansion of China and regional deals to be signed in October KUALA LUMPUR: Asean has concluded the upgrade of two existing trade agreements, expected to be signed at the 47th Asean Summit in October, says Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz. The Investment, Trade and Industry Minister said such was the result of upgraded negotiations on the Asean-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA) 3.0 and the Asean Trade in Goods Agreement (Atiga). 'I am pleased to report that two of our priority economic deliverables for 2025 have been concluded. Both agreements are scheduled to be signed in October. 'We remain confident that these milestones will serve as pivotal enablers for Asean's sustained growth and competitiveness,' he said after chairing the 25th Asean Economic Community Council (AECC) meeting yesterday. Tengku Zafrul said the successful conclusion of these negotiations are expected to enhance the region's economic integration and generate significant economic benefits for Asean as it navigates an increasingly volatile global economic landscape. He said Atiga, long regarded as the cornerstone of Asean's economic integration, will feature forward-looking and commercially meaningful provisions aimed at further boosting regional trade, enhancing supply chain resilience and promoting deeper economic integration. Tengku Zafrul also said the AECC meeting concluded negotiations on the enhanced memorandum of agreement on the Asean Power Grid (APG) initiative and it is scheduled to be signed at the 43rd Asean Ministers on Energy meeting in October. He also welcomed the establishment of APG financing facility network, which will enhance cross-border flows of foreign direct investments and new funding opportunities for regional energy-related projects. On the Asean Economic Community Blueprint 2025, Tengku Zafrul said the blueprint has an overall implementation rate of 97%. 'This year marks another pivotal milestone for Asean, as we prepare to launch the successor to the AEC Blueprint, which is the Asean Economic Community (AEC) Strategic Plan 2026-2030,' he added. The AEC Strategic Plan 2026-2030 will be launched today.
