Malaysia’s upcoming chairmanship is built around a vision of shared progress, guided by the theme of Asean 2025: Inclusivity and Sustainability. It seeks to combine economic pragmatism with human-centred values to leave no one behind. The vision includes a pledge to create a rules-based regional order — one that not only safeguards prosperity but also enhances Southeast Asia’s stability while navigating tensions between great powers.
Next year heralds a pivotal chapter for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), with Malaysia assuming the chair. In a world increasingly divided into competing blocs, Malaysia is advancing the Asean Community Vision 2045, a strategic long-term plan that aims to guide the region’s growth and prosperity over the next two decades. This framework aspires to forge a future of inclusivity and resilience — one that will anchor peace and prosperity throughout Southeast Asia.
When Asean was founded in Bangkok in 1967, the region was a Cold War battleground, enmeshed in ideological confrontation. Today, Southeast Asians find themselves once again poised at the edge of great-power rivalries. Yet, the mission that defined Asean from the start — fostering peace, stability, and development — remains impressively relevant. Now comprising 10 member states and over 660 million people, the bloc’s economies, despite varying political landscapes, rank among the world’s most dynamic.
