Asean must speak with one clear and united voice as the region faces intensifying global rivalries and economic uncertainties, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
Speaking at the Asean Joint Foreign and Economic Ministers’ Meeting on Saturday (Oct 25), Mohamad warned that rising protectionism and great-power competition are undermining multilateralism, stressing that Asean must remain guided by its centrality and strategic interests.
He also cited the Asean Vision 2045 as a blueprint for achieving strategic balance, fostering trust, and ensuring Southeast Asia remains a platform for collaboration among all partners.
00:00Our agenda today is to address the shifting geopolitical and geoeconomic currents impacting ASEAN, and indeed it is a timely one.
00:22We meet at a time when the global order is undergoing profound changes. Among these are intensifying great power competition, the reconfiguration of supply chains, and the blurring of lines between technology, security, and economies.
00:40The consequences of this are far-reaching and tangible. Protective cynicism is on the rise, multilateralism is under pressure, economic decisions are now frequently shaped by strategic imperative rather than purely commercial.
00:56In navigating this new reality, ASEAN's approach must be clear, coherent, and cohesive. We must remain steadfast in advancing our strategic interests which are anchored in ASEAN centrality and our unity of purpose.
01:12As the world's fifth largest economy bloc, ASEAN cannot afford ambiguity. We must speak with a clear and united force, one that champions openness, neutrality, and the long-term prosperity of our region.
01:29We must continue to advocate for an open, inclusive, and rule-based regional order underpinned by international law that forces dialogue and cooperation, not confrontation.
01:42ASEAN Vision 2045 articulates precisely this expression. It is a forward-looking blueprint which embodies our vision of strategic equilibrium and encourages dialogue building for us to ensure that this vision
01:58interdependent remains remains a platform for cooperation remains a platform for collaboration among all our partners.
02:03ASEAN recognizes that trade and investments are no longer insulated from the turbulence of geopolitics.
02:09Economic interdependence can be a source of both vulnerability and stability.
02:15Our task is to ensure that interdependence becomes a bridge for cooperation rather than a tool of coercion.
02:26In this regard, while defending our ties with traditional partners, we must also diversify and expand our economic engagements,
02:34forcing new partnerships that enhance ASEAN's resilience and competitiveness.
02:40Excellencies, the traditional division between foreign policies and economic policies, no longer rules.
02:48Dual politics and dual economies are more deeply intertwined than ever before.
02:55ASEAN must therefore break down silos and act in concert to present a unified and strategic front.
03:03This joint meeting is a testament of our shared recognition of this need.
03:09We must seize this opportunity to align our efforts, streamline our strategies and ensure that ASEAN remains proactive, coordinated and forward-looking
03:19in defending and advancing our region's political, social and economic interests.
03:25Let us send a strong united message that ASEAN is not a passive bystander in today's world, but a proactive force for stability, openness and peace.
03:37Our continued relevance will be measured by our ability to engage our partners constructively while resisting the gravitational pull of the rivalry and polarization.
03:50Let us re-affirm ASEAN's enduring commitment to peace, stability and prosperity, where trade is not only a driver of development, but a cornerstone of regional harmony.
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