KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has selected the theme "Inclusivity and Sustainability" to steer its leadership as it takes on the Asean chairmanship next year.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the theme reflects Asean's aspiration for shared progress, ensuring that no one is left behind.
"The year 2025 will be a momentous chapter for Asean, rich with significance and promise. We will mark the 10th anniversary of the Asean Community's founding, a milestone in our collective journey and with it, we will embrace a new landmark – the Asean Community Vision 2045 – charting the course for our shared future for the next two decades.
"Malaysia has chosen the theme 'Inclusivity and Sustainability.' It reflects our aspiration for truly shared progress, ensuring that no one is left behind. It conveys our hope that the steps we take today will endure in the long run. It underscores our determination to keep the future firmly in sight as we move forward.
"At all times our actions and decisions will be guided by the principle of consensus. Together, we will reaffirm our commitment to building an open, inclusive and rules-based regional architecture," he said in his speech at the handing-over ceremony of the Asean chairmanship from Laos to Malaysia in Vientiane.
Anwar officially received the handover of the Asean Chairmanship from Laos' Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone during the event, marking the transition for Malaysia to lead Asean in 2025.
Meanwhile, the prime minister has reaffirmed Malaysia's commitment to upholding Asean's core values and priorities, emphasising that under its chairmanship, the bloc will continue ton maintainSoutheast Asia as a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region.
"Asean will be unflinching in safeguarding Southeast Asia as a zone of peace, stability, and shared prosperity. The spirit of consensus will prevail within the grouping, and 2025 will be a momentous chapter for Asean, rich with significance and promise."
He also congratulated Laos on their Asean Chairmanship this year and expressed his appreciation for their splendid stewardship and unwavering commitment.
He said he looked forward to their support, and also from the Asean secretary-general, secretariat, leaders and His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei.
"As we strengthen the region internally, we will continue to explore and broaden our economic partnerships beyond our borders. The convening of the Asean - Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) + China Summit in 2025 will achieve exactly this."
He also added that the future of Asean must include Timor-Leste, whose inclusion would expand the region's economy and contribute to fulfilling its grand vision