(VOVWORLD) - The 46th ASEAN Summit and related Summits officially opened in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Monday, bringing together leaders from ASEAN member states, Timor-Leste, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, and China.
 The 46th ASEAN Summit opens in Malaysia |
In his opening address, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the Chair of ASEAN 2025, said he believes in the fortitude and staying power of ASEAN to withstand the headwinds and weather the storms of the challenges and uncertainties facing us.
He said: "ASEAN this year has the special significance: a decade since the establishment of the ASEAN Community. This milestone offers a new sense of optimism and confidence for ASEAN, underscored by remarkable resilience against the backdrop of increasingly complex and sobering global development. Nevertheless, we're thankful with the spirit of sincerity and fraternity of ASEAN member states in being able to come together to the common front in dealing with these challenges."
A key highlight of this year’s Summit is the signing of the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on “ASEAN 2045: Our Common Future” and the adoption of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 along with political-security, economic, socio-cultural, and connectivity strategies.