World leaders expected to attend 47th ASEAN Summit in Malaysia

Several world leaders, including those from Asia, Europe, Canada, the US, Africa and Latin America, are expected to attend the 47th ASEAN Summit scheduled to be held in Kuala Lumpur this October, Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said on July 21.

Tuesday, July 22, 2025 10:58

Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – Several world leaders, including those from Asia, Europe, Canada, the US, Africa and Latin America, are expected to attend the 47th ASEAN Summit scheduled to be held in Kuala Lumpur this October, Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said on July 21.

PM Anwar said so far, among those who have expressed their commitment to attending are leaders from Italy, the European Union, Canada and the US.

He said the summit will be a major international conference for Malaysia.

Earlier this month, the PM said several heads of government from outside ASEAN had confirmed their attendance at the 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits scheduled to be held from October 26-28.

Among the leaders who have confirmed their attendance are Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who currently holds the position of President of the G20 Group.

Malaysia, as the 2025 ASEAN Chair with the theme Inclusivity and Sustainability, hosted the 46th ASEAN Summit and related meetings from May 22-27./.

VNA

#ASEAN Summit #ASEAN Chair #Malaysia #world leaders Malaysia

See more

Foreign tourists take part in the Songkran Festival in Chiang Mai, Thailand, on April 13, 2026. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Thailand welcomes 17.36 million foreign visitors

21/07/2026 23:11

Minister of Tourism and Sports Surasak Phancharoenworakul said China was the largest source market, with 2.86 million visitors, followed by Malaysia with 2.25 million, India with 1.31 million, Russia with 1.06 million and the Republic of Korea with 631,777.

Indonesia approves bill to establish international financial centre

21/07/2026 21:03

The establishment of the Indonesia International Financial Centre forms part of President Prabowo Subianto's strategy to achieve 8% economic growth by 2029, driven by expanded public investment and stronger international capital inflows.

Cargo handling at a port in Bangkok, Thailand. (Photo: VNA)

Thailand’s exports benefit from growing use of FTA privileges

21/07/2026 20:51

Thailand’s use of export privileges under free trade agreements (FTAs) continued to expand in April 2026, with shipments claiming preferential treatment valued at 31.77 billion USD, said the Thai Ministry of Commerce as cited by The Nation.

Ambassador highlights Philippines' priorities for ASEAN Chairmanship

21/07/2026 18:56

Speaking ahead of Indian Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar's visit to Manila for the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting and related meetings, Philippine Ambassador to India Josel F. Ignacio praised India for its role in advancing ASEAN's goals and its consistent support for the bloc's unity and centrality in the regional architecture.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong (Photo: foreignminister.gov.au)

Australia highlights ASEAN partnership amid regional, global challenges

21/07/2026 14:45

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong arrived in Manila on July 20 to attend the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting and related meetings, reaffirming Australia's commitment to working closely with ASEAN in addressing growing regional and global challenges.

Malaysia urged to prepare early for potential super El Niño

21/07/2026 06:32

To reduce the potential impact, a proactive and coordinated nationwide approach is needed, involving the government, businesses and the public, an expert has said.

Passengers at an international airport in Bangkok, Thailand. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Thailand secures 2.15 billion USD in investment from four leading Chinese tech firms

21/07/2026 05:20

The attraction of leading Chinese technology companies is expected to strengthen Thailand's high-tech manufacturing capabilities while reinforcing its ambition to become a regional industrial and technology hub.

Malaysia to pilot UAVs to deliver medicine to remote areas

21/07/2026 03:21

UAV-based medicine transport is expected to help patients, especially those with chronic diseases, reduce travel time and costs while ensuring regular medication delivery.

Indonesia expects B50 biodiesel programme to save 10.8 billion USD in 2026

21/07/2026 02:12

Under the B50 programme, diesel fuel is blended with 50% biodiesel produced from domestically sourced palm oil, reducing the country's dependence on imported fossil fuels while strengthening national energy security.

Indonesia bets on AI to drive 600-billion-USD digital economy

20/07/2026 16:42

AI has the potential to generate around 400 billion USD in value for Indonesia’s economy by 2030 under a business-as-usual scenario. If implemented alongside the regional digital economy framework, that figure could climb to 2 trillion USD, an official has said.

Malaysia maintains fishing vessel licensing to safeguard fisheries resources

20/07/2026 05:39

Licensing management is not just an administrative process, but rather part of the effort to ensure that fishing activities can continue responsibly without compromising the sustainability of resources, said a Malaysian official.

Indonesia accelerates push in global artificial intelligence race

20/07/2026 02:29

The intergovernmental organisation will help Indonesia keep pace with rapid advances in AI while enabling the country to contribute to international AI governance, an official has said.

Indonesia showcases “blue economy” model, eyes wider adoption across ASEAN

19/07/2026 21:41

Indonesian authorities hope Banyuwangi regency’s experience will serve as a practical model that can be replicated across the region.

People charge their electric vehicles at a charging station in western Hanoi. (Illustrative photo: VNA)

Vietnam holds advantages in race to attract EV investment: Indonesian newspaper

19/07/2026 15:50

Vietnam has adopted a more comprehensive approach to developing its EV industry by maintaining long-term investment incentives, investing in industrial infrastructure, developing human resources, and gradually building a high-tech manufacturing ecosystem, according to a recent article on The Jakarta Post.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (second from left) presents the highest award at the event (Photo: Malaysian Prime Minister's Office)

Malaysia highlights importance of ethical journalism in AI era

19/07/2026 01:29

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim highlighted the importance of ethnical journalism in artificial intelligence (AI) era while addressing the Malaysia Journalism Night 2026 and the MPI-PETRONAS Malaysian Journalism Awards 2025 held in Kuala Lumpur on July 17.

Heads of ASEAN diplomatic missions in Mexico pose for a group photo. (Photo: VNA published)

ASEAN at 59: Growing role and global standing

19/07/2026 00:39

Thai Ambassador to Mexico Rooge Thammongkol, rotating Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Mexico City (ACMC) for July-December, said ASEAN has grown into one of the world’s most successful regional organisations and plays a central role in promoting peace, stability and cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.

Cargo ships docked at a port in Singapore. (Photo: VNA)

Singapore’s non-oil exports post strong growth on AI demand

18/07/2026 01:28

Singapore's total trade reached 158.1 billion SGD (122.5 billion USD) in June, comprising 85.5 billion SGD in exports and 72.6 billion SGD in imports.

New Singapore-Malaysia rail link expected to boost cross-border spending

18/07/2026 00:14

Singaporean consumers are expected to spend an additional 1.05 billion SGD (about 810 million USD) annually in Johor Bahru, Malaysia's southernmost city bordering Singapore, according to a study conducted jointly by the Singapore Business Federation (SBF), the Restaurant Association of Singapore, and the Singapore Retailers Association.