Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – ASEAN must strengthen its global leadership on sustainability to further enhance the its community vision 2045 agenda which is expected to be finalised during Malaysia’s ASEAN chairmanship this year, according to ASEAN Secretary General Kao Kim Hourn.
In his opening address at the ASEAN Workshop on Sustainable Development (AWSD) 2025 on January 13, he said that partnerships with the UN and the alignment of ASEAN Community Vision 2045 with the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development are key examples of ASEAN’s leadership.
Member countries must also intensify action across green value chains and decarbonisation efforts. By leveraging sustainable finance, advancing the blue economy, and enabling business transitions to greener practices, ASEAN can balance growth with environmental stewardship, he stated.
He noted that the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and its accompanying strategic plans are set to be adopted this year and will provide a clear roadmap for accelerating sustainable development in the region. For the first time in ASEAN’s history, a 20-year vision, guided by peace, prosperity, and people, will be ratified, aiming at creating a sustainable and equitable future.
Kao also highlighted the significance of shaping inclusive and sustainable digital transformation. With more than 480 million active Internet users, ASEAN’s digital economy is projected to reach 1 trillion USD by 2030. Finalising the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement this year should unlock up to 2 trillion USD in economic value.
He also called for empowering youth and fostering multilateralism to advance the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 agenda./.
