ASEAN Summits: PM continues regional dialogues on second day

VIENTIANE: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim continued his engagements on the second day of the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and Related Summits today, starting with the ASEAN-China Summit.

Anwar, along with the leaders of the nine other ASEAN member states, is expected to meet China's Premier Li Qiang at the National Convention Centre (NCC) here.

He is scheduled to deliver a speech before attending the 25th ASEAN-South Korea Summit, commemorating the 35th anniversary of ASEAN-South Korea Dialogue Relations.

Anwar will also receive a courtesy call from the World Economic Forum (WEF) founder and Executive Chairman, Prof Klaus Schwab, at the NCC.

Throughout the day, Anwar is expected to participate in several other high-level meetings, including the ASEAN-Japan Summit, ASEAN Plus Three Summit, ASEAN-Australia Summit, ASEAN-India Summit, and the ASEAN-Canada Special Summit focused on enhancing ASEAN connectivity and resilience.

In between these summits, the Prime Minister will hold several bilateral meetings, including discussions with European Council President-elect Antonio Costa, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

Accompanying Anwar are Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.

In the evening, Anwar, joined by Mohamad Hasan and Tengku Zafrul, will attend a Gala Dinner hosted by Laos' Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone and his spouse Vandara Siphandone.

The summits will conclude on Oct 11, with Laos handing over the ASEAN Chairmanship to Malaysia.

At the handover ceremony, Prime Minister Anwar is scheduled to deliver short remarks, outlining Malaysia's vision as the next ASEAN chair.

Malaysia will officially assume the ASEAN Chairmanship on Jan 1, 2025.

-- BERNAMA

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