Jakarta (VNA) - Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Dr Kao Kim Hourn has expressed his confidence in Malaysia's leadership of the regional bloc in 2025, marking the country's fifth term as ASEAN chair.
He conveyed this assurance at a meeting with Malaysia's Permanent Representative to ASEAN, Ambassador Datin Sarah Al Bakri Devadason, held at the ASEAN Headquarters on February 14, according to the ASEAN Secretariat.
The discussions centred on Malaysia's priorities for its 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship, including the progress of Timor-Leste's bid for membership, and other regional matters.
Malaysia's priorities for its 2025 chairmanship include strengthening ASEAN centrality, fostering trust through dialogue, diplomacy, and goodwill, and expanding economic partnerships beyond ASEAN borders.
The country also aims to promote greater intra-ASEAN trade and investment, emphasising advancements in science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation.
In line with its theme, Malaysia will focus on inclusivity and sustainability, addressing development gaps, improving living standards, and combating climate change to build a stronger regional community.
Malaysia, which previously held the ASEAN Chairmanship in 1977, 1997, 2005, and 2015, officially assumed the role for 2025 under the theme Inclusivity and Sustainability, with over 300 meetings and programmes are planned throughout the year.
The first major event under Malaysia's chairmanship, the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat, took place on January 19 in Langkawi, Malaysia, with Timor-Leste's Foreign Minister Bendito Freitas attending as an observer./.
