Malaysia Commits to Strengthening ASEAN Cooperation for Economic Development

Malaysia's Foreign Minister, Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, has emphasized the country's commitment to making the ASEAN community concept a success, aiming to strengthen cooperation among member states for balanced economic development. ASEAN, with a population of over 600 million and a growing gross domestic product (GDP), is poised to become an important economic block in the global system. However, relationships and good cooperation among ASEAN countries are crucial to ensure peace and stability in the region, particularly regarding the South China Sea issue.

Key Takeaways:

• Malaysia is committed to making the ASEAN community concept a success, aiming to strengthen cooperation among member states for balanced economic development.
• The 10-year ASEAN community concept will end in 2025, and Malaysia plans to introduce a 20-year ASEAN community concept from 2025 to 2045.
• The goal is to make ASEAN a big community, not only economically but also in terms of energy distribution, connectivity, infrastructure, and others.
• Malaysia believes ASEAN is capable of becoming an important block in the global economic system with its advantages, including a population of over 600 million and a growing GDP.
• The country understands the importance of relationships and good cooperation between ASEAN countries to ensure peace and stability in the region.
• Malaysia will be appointed chairman of ASEAN in 2025 through the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur.

Statistics:

• ASEAN's population is over 600 million.
• ASEAN's GDP will grow to become the fourth largest in the world within two to three years.
• Malaysia has organized 257 activities for the ASEAN summit in 2025, spread across various states in Malaysia.

Sources:

• BERNAMA News Agency (13 Jul 2024)