00:00Ladies and gentlemen, it is a significant occasion that brings us together on this day.
00:20Today brings us another step closer towards the beginning of an important new role for
00:25our country.
00:27The gears are already in motion for Malaysia's chairmanship of ASEAN next year.
00:32It is therefore with great joy that we launch the logo and team of ASEAN-Malaysia Chairmanship
00:382025 today.
00:40We have already seen the official handover of the chairmanship, which took place on 11
00:45October at the conclusion of the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summit and related summits in Laos
00:53last week.
00:54The logo and team for Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship were officially unveiled by Yang Amat Berhormat
01:00President of Malaysia, Dato' Sri Anwar Ibrahim.
01:04Before we go any further, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the
01:08Government and the people of Laos for a successful and highly inspiring year in steering ASEAN
01:16forward.
01:17Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, Malaysia is deeply honoured and stands ready to assume
01:22this pivotal responsibility.
01:25Allow me to share with you a snapshot of our main priorities next year.
01:29Firstly, we will aim to fortify ASEAN's centrality.
01:38Malaysia will promote strategic trust among nations through sustained dialogues, diplomacy
01:44and goodwill.
01:46Working together with Member States, Malaysia seeks to expand our economic partnerships
01:51with those beyond our borders.
01:53The convening of ASEAN GCC plus China Summit in Kuala Lumpur in 2025 is indeed a testament
02:01of ASEAN's intent of collaborating with a wider global community.
02:06Secondly, Malaysia will continue to push for greater commitment in enhanced ASEAN intratreat
02:13and investment.
02:15We will also ensure that ASEAN will be able to leverage on advances in sciences, technology
02:21and innovation, and harness the benefits of digital transformation and new technologies.
02:28Thirdly, Malaysia will ensure that the elements of inclusivity and sustainability, which is
02:35the theme for 2025, take centre stage in our regional community building efforts.
02:41This will entail greater efforts to narrowing the development gap, improving living standards
02:47while mitigating the impacts of climate change.
02:52Having been premised on Malaysia's MADANI framework, inclusivity and sustainability
02:58are interdependent and mutually reinforcing values.
03:03Malaysia will ensure that these values are advanced and embedded across all spectrums
03:09of ASEAN cooperation during our chairmanship.
03:13We believe that the pursuit of these aspirations is essential to the region's growth and resilience.
03:20Excellencies, in 2025, ASEAN will be commemorating the 10th anniversary of the formal establishment
03:28of the ASEAN Community.
03:30Building from this achievement, we have plans to adopt ASEAN Community Vision 2045, a framework
03:37that will chart our strategic direction for the next 20 years.
03:42I have always believed that, as a community, we have not only withstood but prevailed over
03:49many of our shared obstacles together.
03:52Through the decades, we have achieved this the ASEAN way.
03:56ASEAN's nuanced and pragmatic approach to managing geopolitical competition between
04:02major powers is increasingly seen as a model for the rest of the developing world.
04:09ASEAN's commitment to neutrality, dialogue and regional cooperation have kept Southeast
04:14Asia stable amid external rivalries.
04:18For instance, ASEAN's trade with China recorded US$6.7 billion in 2023, reflecting China's
04:27position as our largest trading partner since 2009.
04:34At the same time, trade with the United States amounted to US$395.9 billion.
04:40Such a diplomatic balance has also led to strong growth in foreign direct investment
04:45for ASEAN.
04:46Last year, we successfully attracted a total of US$229.8 billion in FDI, with China and
04:54the United States ranking as major contributors.
04:58This influx of investments has been pivotal in driving job creation, technology transfer
05:05and infrastructure development across the region.
05:09Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
05:11Once again, I wish to reiterate that Malaysia is fully committed to our role and responsibility
05:17as the next ASEAN Chair.
05:19We count on the support and cooperation from all of our friends and partners in ensuring
05:25a successful year ahead.
05:27Our vision of ASEAN will remain immutable.
05:30It will continue to reflect the hopes of our peoples for a peaceful, stable and prosperous
05:37region that is ready to contribute positively to global affairs.
05:49Ladies and Gentlemen, please give a round of applause.
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