The 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits organised at Kuala Lumpur, reaffirming the region’s commitment to inclusivity, sustainability, and regional cooperation under Malaysia’s 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship under the theme, “Inclusivity and Sustainability.”. This also included various significant bilateral meetings and significant Summits.
The high-level gathering brought together ASEAN Leaders, Dialogue Partners, and global representatives to advance shared goals for peace, stability, and prosperity. It began with the preparatory meetings, including the ASEAN Senior Officials’ and Senior Economic Official’s. It discussed the findings of the ASEAN Geoeconomics Task Force (AGTF) and exchanged views on the evolving global geoeconomic landscape.
For the first time, the European Union participated in an ASEAN Summit, with President António Costa addressing the opening session and reaffirming the EU’s commitment to partnership and sustainable regional development.
A major milestone during Malaysia’s Chairmanship was the launch of the ASEAN Centre of Excellence for MSMEs in Green Transition (MEGA), spearheaded by Malaysia’s Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development with support from the European Union. The Centre will enable ASEAN’s MSMEs to adopt sustainable, low-carbon practices and strengthen their competitiveness in a green economy.
In a historic development, the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste officially deposited its Instrument of Accession to the ASEAN Charter, marking its formal admission to ASEAN and signifying its commitment to ASEAN’s principles and its commitment to strengthening regional peace, security, and stability, and support for ASEAN’s long-standing vision of a Southeast Asia free of nuclear weapons.
The 30th ASEAN Political-Security Community Council (APSC) Meeting reviewed regional security developments and endorsed the End-Term Review Report of the APSC Blueprint 2025, reinforcing ASEAN’s collective capacity to maintain peace and stability.
ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn witnessed the signing of the Instrument of Accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) by the Republic of Finland, bringing the total number of High Contracting Parties to 58 and highlighting ASEAN’s expanding partnerships beyond the region.
At the launch of the 10th Economy SEA 2025 Report, the Secretary-General of ASEAN highlighted ASEAN’s progress in digital transformation, inclusive growth, and AI adoption. He also emphasised ASEAN’s collaboration with the United States during the U.S.-ASEAN Connect Series, highlighting the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) and upgraded ATIGA as cornerstones of a future-ready ASEAN–U.S. partnership. On the sidelines, Dr. Kao held discussions with FIFA President Giovanni Vincenzo Infantino, culminating in the signing of the ASEAN–FIFA Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote sports development and youth engagement across Southeast Asia.
The 13th ASEAN-United States Summit reaffirmed the ASEAN-U.S. Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and adopted the Joint Vision Statement to Promote a Stronger, Safer, and More Prosperous ASEAN and America. Leaders also endorsed a Joint Statement on the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) to enhance cooperation on regional connectivity and stability.
At the 22nd ASEAN-India Summit, leaders adopted the Joint Leaders’ Statement on Sustainable Tourism and declared 2025 as the ASEAN–India Year of Tourism and 2026 as the ASEAN–India Year of Maritime Cooperation. The Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, addressing the gathering at the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, reaffirmed India’s deep commitment to ASEAN’s shared vision and partnership. He stated that “the 21st century is our century — it is India and ASEAN’s century.” The Prime Minister expressed confidence that the collective aspirations embodied in ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and Viksit Bharat 2047 would together pave the way for a brighter and more prosperous future for all humanity. External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar also held bilateral meetings with several counterparts to deepen cooperation and people-to-people ties.
The 28th ASEAN Plus Three (APT) Summit reaffirmed the commitment of ASEAN, China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea to enhance cooperation across key sectors. The meeting adopted the APT Leaders’ Statement on Strengthening Regional Economic and Financial Cooperation, emphasising the framework’s pivotal role in addressing regional challenges.
The East Asia Summit (EAS), marking its 20th anniversary, reviewed progress and achievements while focusing on broad strategic, political, and economic issues to promote regional peace, stability, and prosperity. The Summit brought together all 19 EAS participants, including ASEAN Member States, Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Russia, and the United States.
The Summits were also attended by special guests, the Presidents of Brazil and South Africa, in their capacities as Chairs of BRICS and the G20, reflecting ASEAN’s growing global engagement.
The Summit also marked the culmination of Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship 2025, ahead of the handover of the ASEAN Chairmanship to the Philippines on 28 October 2025, signalling a continued commitment to ASEAN’s shared vision of peace, progress, and prosperity in the years ahead.
