Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar bin Ibrahim on October 11 received the ASEAN Chairmanship gavel from the Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone at the closing ceremony of the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and Related Summits in Vientiane.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar bin Ibrahim (right) on October 11 receives the ASEAN Chairmanship gavel from the Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone. (Photo: VNA)
Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar bin Ibrahim on October 11 received the ASEAN Chairmanship gavel from the Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone at the closing ceremony of the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and Related Summits in Vientiane.
The symbolic handover marks the assumption of Malaysia as the Chair of ASEAN next year, which will officially commence January 1, 2025.
At the event, PM Anwar also unveiled the official logo and theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability” for Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship.
He shared Malaysia’s vision for its ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, centred on the chosen theme, pledging to ensure that no one is left behind. He emphasised his country's aim to enhance regional cooperation through dialogue and collaboration. He stressed that Malaysia will work closely with all ASEAN member states and external partners to champion an open, inclusive and rules-based regional architecture.
PM Anwar congratulated Laos on its successful ASEAN Chairmanship in 2024, and looked forward to receiving support from the ASEAN Secretary-General and Secretariat.
He stress🐲ed that 2025 will be of great significance and prospect as ASEAN will celebrate the 10th anniversary of its Community, a milestone in the bloc’s common journey, along with a new milestone – the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, which outlines the roadmap for ASEAN’s shared future in the next two decades./.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son has highlighted the outcomes of the freshly-ended ASEAN Summits and related meetings in Vientiane, Laos from October 8-11, the Vietnamese delegation’s contributions and bilateral engagements with countries and partners.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and other ASEAN leaders attended the closing ceremony of the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and related meetings in Vientiane, Laos on October 11, which was marked by the handover of the ASEAN Chairmanship from Laos to Malaysia.
The ASEAN Plus Three countries - 10 ASEAN member states, China, Japan and the Republic of Korea - shared their experience in digital transformation in the civil service sector at an online international workshop held by the Vietnamese Ministry of Home Affairs on October 11.
The Ministry of Commerce reported that imports also rose 18% to 29.9 billion USD during the same period, resulting in a trade surplus of 1.1 billion USD. In May alone, Thailand posted a 4.6 billion USD trade surplus with the US and a 4.1 billion USD trade deficit with China.
The World Bank will provide a 2.1 billion USD financing package for Indonesia, focusing oncreating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and enhancing access to clean energy across the country.
Member states also reviewed progress on six priority areas for 2025, including the development of an underground cable framework, the follow-up agreement to the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA), the launch of the ASEAN Energy Efficiency Database, and the rollout of an investment platform for sustainable building initiatives.
In March, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with Formula 1 chief Stefano Domenicali and said Thailand would commission a feasibility study into hosting a Grand Prix on a Bangkok street circuit from 2028.
The proposed giant sea wall aligns with bilateral cooperation and has been designated a national priority, considering that several regions in Indonesia are experiencing land subsidence of 10–15 centimetres per year.
International flights were cancelled including Jetstar and Virgin Australia flights to cities across Australia, and flights of Air India, Air New Zealand, Singapore's TigerAir and China's Juneyao Airlines.
The partnership aims to strengthen collaboration in the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources, including gold, copper, and manganese, as well as in the development of steel, aluminum, and renewable energy industries.
The Thai cabinet has approved a seven-year EV bus leasing scheme proposed by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) for the capital, with an estimated cost of 15.35 billion THB (over 470 million USD).
Aircraft are prohibited from flying below 6,000 metres in the vicinity of the volcano, and should also remain alert to the presence of volcanic ash, which can disrupt flights.
Laos declared the transfer of the press management functions of five key media agencies and associated personnel to the Propaganda and Training Board of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee.
Univers said in a statement that the new centre will serve as a hub for innovation, bringing together digital intelligence and climate ambition to accelerate Sarawak's transition toward a low-carbon, tech-enabled economy.
The target is to be completely free from plastic waste within two years. This can only be achieved if all parties implement the initiative with strong discipline.
Indonesia is taking new steps to improve protections for fishery workers, amid concerns over low wages, harsh working conditions, and limited access to social welfare.
The 2025 ASEAN- the Republic of Korea (RoK) Connectivity Forum that opened in Jakarta on June 17 reaffirmed a shared commitment to shaping a connected, resilient future by advancing the ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan.
The desk will serve as a service centre providing market intelligence, business licensing guidance, facilitating business cooperation, identifying potential investment projects, and harmonising regulatory policies between the two parties.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim noted that the Asia-Pacific region accounted for half of global energy consumption and 60% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2024. Despite this, regional countries, including eight of ten ASEAN member states, remain committed to climate goals, including net-zero emissions and tripling global renewable capacity by 2030.
