ASEAN must forge new ties, deepen existing ones amid rising protectionism - PM

KUALA LUMPUR: ASEAN must have the courage to forge new partnerships and the foresight to deepen existing ones amid rising protectionism and shifting supply chains, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

AI Brief

PM Anwar called for ASEAN resilience through adaptability, stressing unity and cooperation to sustain peace and prosperity.
Key initiatives launched include upgraded trade agreements, a USD10B ASEAN Power Grid fund, and AI safety standards.
ASEAN expands global ties, fast-tracks digital economy plans, and welcomes BRICS and G20 guests to deepen engagement.

"ASEAN must not stand still," the Prime Minister said, emphasising that resilience depends on adaptability.

Anwar, who chairs the 47th ASEAN Summit, said that the relative peace and prosperity that ASEAN has enjoyed for nearly six decades are not self-sustaining and must be renewed through cooperation and strengthened by shared purpose.

"That is why ASEAN is deepening economic linkages, widening trade, and enhancing competitiveness," he said in his opening remarks when officiating the 47th ASEAN Summit.

Upholding the theme "Inclusivity and Sustainability" in ASEAN, Anwar also announced the upgrade of the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement, to be launched at this Summit, which will create a more seamless regional market -- unlocking scale, efficiency, and opportunity for our businesses and workers alike.

"We are also advancing the ASEAN Power Grid (APG). The new APG Financing Facility will help bridge funding gaps and accelerate our transition toward cleaner, more secure energy," he added.

The APG, which stemmed from early bilateral efforts in the 1970s and was first formalised in 1997, has reached a major milestone with the launch of the USD10 billion (USD = RM4.22) APG Financing Initiative in October 2025.

Anwar added that the region is moving forward on the ASEAN Blue Economy Framework and the Regional Electric Vehicle Ecosystem, building the foundations for sustainable industry and green growth.

"With ASEAN's digital economy expected to double to USD2 trillion by 2030, we have agreed to fast-track the ASEAN Digital Economic Framework Agreement by 2026.

"And to ensure technology remains our servant, not our master, we will establish the ASEAN AI Safety Network -- AI SAFE -- to embed ethics, safety, and sound governance in the use of artificial intelligence," he added.

Carrying the spirit of closer ties with other economies, Anwar said Malaysia hosted the 2nd ASEAN-GCC and the ASEAN-GCC-China Summits earlier this year.

"Tomorrow, we convene the 5th Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Leaders' Summit -- advancing the world's largest free-trade area toward its full potential.

"We also welcome Brazil and South Africa, Guests of the Chair, to the 20th East Asia Summit -- an important step in widening ASEAN's engagement with the BRICS and the G20 and strengthening our bridge to the Global South," he added.

BRICS is a group of major emerging economies that has expanded to include ten member countries: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates.

The G20 or Group of 20, is an intergovernmental forum comprising 19 sovereign countries, the European Union (EU), and the African Union (AU).

-- BERNAMA