Staying responsive to the region’s most pressing challenges must be made a focus at the Asean Regional Forum (ARF), says Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
Beyond dialogue, Mohamad said the ARF must be better equipped to respond swiftly and effectively.
00:00My mission greatly values the support and commitment to this forum, to further advance our rules of forming peace, security, stability in the region and beyond.
00:20Today, we meet at a moment of growing geopolitical complexity and strategic uncertainty. Our region and the broader international system are being reshaped by a proportion of forces.
00:35This includes intensifying great power rivalry, economic reputation, economic destruction, and other security threats that transcend national forces.
00:46For over three decades, the ASEAN Regional Forum has proved to be an indispensable platform for dialogue and consultation on regional, political, and security issues of mutual interest and concern.
01:00We must not underestimate the value of the ARS's achievement, but neither can we be complex. The security challenges facing the SFS community are increasingly complex and multidimensional.
01:16If we prepare to respond, the ARS may risk losing its relevance precisely when effective and reliable multilateral frameworks and leadership are most needed.
01:29To remain relevant and effective, the ARS must continue to evolve. It must demonstrate greater agility and responsiveness to new and emerging realities.
01:41Prioritizing these objectives should be key to ensuring that the ARS remains as inclusive and critical regional security architecture.
01:52Malaysia as chair remains committed to revitalizing the ARS. In fact, this is one of Malaysia's priority areas for our internship under the APSE pillar.
02:04In this regard, I am pleased to know that the ARS and senior officials have been in active deliberations to address the issues.
02:14Discussions are still ongoing, and we will inform the update of the non-ARS participants accordingly.
02:20Excellencies in addressing and increasing the wide spectrum of regional security challenges. It is imperative that the ARS maintains the resilience of its institution and the breadth of its corporation.
02:37We must also continue to reaffirm our commitment to upholding international law and maintaining a stable rule-based international order.
02:46Moving forward, the ARS must place the following measures at the heart of its agenda.
02:53First, the ARS must be responsive to the region's most pressing challenges.
02:59Medical tensions continue to keep waterways, raising the risk of miscaparation.
03:06Cyber threats are escalating, and the mining infrastructure spreading disinformation and eroding budget tasks.
03:14Climate change, once is a distant risk, now presents multiple threats that worsen in security and distressed communities.
03:24Second, the ARS must be better equipped to respond swiftly and effectively.
03:31Beyond dialogue, it should play a stronger role in early warning and response, especially in humanitarian crisis, health emergencies, and conflict prevention.
03:42Third, we must move from dialogue protection. The gap between ambition and implementation must be closed.
03:50Malaysia calls for stronger cooperation to join projects in key areas such as American security, counter-terrorism, and disaster preparedness, and better coordination with other asylum platforms.
04:05Finally, the strength of us, as ARS, lies in its inclusivity, united 27 participants in diverse perspectives.
04:15We must reaffirm our commitment to dialogue, consensus and mutual respect.
04:23These principles have guided us in navigating differences and maintaining stability even in challenging times.
04:30Together, we must strengthen the ARS as a stabilizing factor, the stabilizing force of all the way grants is nurtured,
04:40differences are managed, and partnerships are strengthened.
04:44This meeting presents a valuable opportunity for us to take stock of ARS's progress, reflect on the challenges it places, and collectively tie our way forward.
04:58It also provides a platform for us to exchange views on pressing regional and international issues of shared concern.
