Malaysia’s 2025 ASEAN chairmanship drew world attention with high-level summits and key diplomatic achievements, solidifying its regional leadership role.
SERDANG: Malaysia’s successful execution of the ASEAN chairmanship in 2025 has garnered significant global attention, according to Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan (pic).
He said the nation’s achievements came despite navigating an increasingly uncertain geopolitical landscape.
“We successfully assumed the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025 despite various challenges arising from global geopolitical uncertainties,” Mohamad said at an appreciation ceremony today.
He highlighted that Malaysia brought together world leaders for key platforms like the ASEAN-GCC and ASEAN-GCC-China meetings.
The country also successfully hosted the 46th and subsequent 47th ASEAN Summits.
Mohamad added that Malaysia’s strong trust within the bloc is reflected in its new long-term role.
The nation has been selected as the permanent shepherd for the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, a role it will hold for the next two decades.
“This reflects ASEAN’s confidence in Malaysia,” he stated.
He cited an example where neighbouring Thailand and Cambodia turned to Malaysia to help resolve a border dispute.
Mohamad expressed pride in Malaysia’s role as host, coordinator and facilitator during its chairmanship.
He extended appreciation to all parties in the public and private sectors for ensuring the event’s success.
“We were able to manage the arrival and participation of leaders from around the world, not just a small number, but many at the highest level,” he noted.
Malaysia officially handed over the ASEAN chairmanship to the Philippines in October last year.
Its tenure focused on strengthening regional unity, inclusiveness and sustainability.
Key milestones included the admission of Timor-Leste as ASEAN’s 11th member state.
Another was the signing of the Kuala Lumpur Peace Agreement between Cambodia and Thailand.
This marked the fifth time Malaysia has chaired ASEAN since the bloc’s 1967 establishment.
Previous Malaysian chairmanships were in 1977, 1997, 2005 and 2015.
