KUALA LUMPUR: The signing of the historic Kuala Lumpur Peace Accord between Thailand and Cambodia – a landmark breakthrough that underscored Malaysia’s leadership as ASEAN Chair and reaffirmed the bloc’s unity amid growing geopolitical challenges – was undoubtedly the highlight of the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, which concluded today.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, in representing Malaysia as ASEAN Chair, should be commended for being instrumental in bringing the two long-time rivals to the negotiating table, following months of quiet diplomacy and back-channel discussions facilitated through ASEAN mechanisms.
His personal engagement with both Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet helped bridge years of mistrust, paving the way for meaningful dialogue that ultimately culminated in the signing of the accord in the Malaysian capital.
The signing of the KL Peace Accord, witnessed by Anwar and United States President Donald Trump, was hailed as a defining moment for ASEAN diplomacy.
It ended years of intermittent border tensions between the two neighbouring nations and was described as a triumph for Anwar’s steady mediation and commitment to peace.
Trump lauded Anwar’s leadership, calling the accord “a triumph for ASEAN diplomacy and a model for global conflict resolution”, while both Thai and Cambodian premiers praised Malaysia’s indispensable role in facilitating the talks that led to the peace deal.
Anwar said the KL Peace Accord also represented ASEAN’s enduring belief in dialogue and consensus-building as the cornerstone of peace and regional stability.
“The spirit of cooperation, inclusivity and mutual respect has always defined ASEAN, and Malaysia is honoured to help uphold that tradition through this accord,” he said.
The agreement, which calls for enhanced border security, joint development, and long-term trust-building measures, symbolises ASEAN’s resolve to settle disputes peacefully under Malaysia’s 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship theme of ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability’.
In another historic milestone, ASEAN formally welcomed Timor-Leste as its 11th member state through the Signing of the Declaration on the Admission of Timor-Leste into ASEAN, the bloc’s first expansion since 1999.
Anwar described the event as a moment of renewal for ASEAN, saying Timor-Leste’s inclusion completes the ASEAN family, reaffirming its shared destiny and deep sense of regional kinship.
Timor-Leste’s accession followed more than a decade of preparation and engagement, supported strongly by Malaysia and other member states.
Its membership reflects ASEAN’s commitment to inclusivity, equality and regional solidarity.
Throughout the Summit, ASEAN leaders also reaffirmed the bloc’s relevance as a cornerstone of regional peace, dialogue and cooperation.
Discussions spanned a range of global and regional issues, including security, climate resilience, humanitarian concerns, and sustainable growth.
As the 2025 Chair, Malaysia also underscored the importance of strengthening ASEAN’s partnerships with major dialogue partners, including China, Japan, India, South Korea, the United States, and the European Union.
Leaders also reaffirmed the need to uphold multilateralism and a rules-based order to ensure regional stability.
The Summit, held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from Oct 26 to 28, brought together over 3,000 delegates and leaders from 30 nations and international organisations. It also marked Malaysia’s fifth time leading ASEAN since 1967, after previous chairmanships in 1977, 1997, 2005 and 2015.
The series of high-level meetings, including the East Asia Summit, ASEAN-US Summit and ASEAN-United Nations Summit, further reinforced ASEAN’s role as a central platform for dialogue and cooperation.
The ASEAN Summit concluded with renewed optimism for the future of Southeast Asia, anchored in Malaysia’s message of unity, cooperation and mutual respect.
With the KL Peace Accord marking a new era of reconciliation, and Timor-Leste’s accession completing the ASEAN family, Malaysia’s 2025 Chairmanship will be remembered as a defining chapter, one that rekindled ASEAN’s founding spirit and reinforced the region’s role as a force for peace and partnership in an increasingly divided world.
