Malaysia Assumes ASEAN Chairmanship for 2025, Focusing on Inclusivity and Sustainability
Malaysia officially took over the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Wednesday, marking the fifth time since the bloc’s inception in 1967.
The handover ceremony took place during the closing of the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits in October 2024 in Vientiane, Laos, with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia receiving the symbolic leadership baton from Laos’ Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone.
Under the 2025 theme of “Inclusivity and Sustainability,” Malaysia plans to address critical regional issues such as the South China Sea disputes and the ongoing civil war in Myanmar.
The country will host over 300 key meetings and initiatives across various sectors, including artificial intelligence, renewable energy, tourism, and healthcare, throughout the year.
Additionally, Malaysia will host the inaugural ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Plus China Summit in May 2025 and organize important meetings with ASEAN’s partner countries later in the year.
ASEAN, which consists of 10 member states and a population of over 700 million, represents the fifth-largest global economy with a GDP of $3.8 trillion in 2023.
