ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat: Fostering Inclusivity and Sustainability

LANGKAWI, Jan 19 (Bernama) — Malaysia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan is set to chair the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat (AMM Retreat) on Sunday (Jan 19) in Langkawi, Kedah.

AMM Retreat: A Key Meeting in ASEAN’s Annual Calendar

The AMM Retreat is the first scheduled meeting in the annual ASEAN calendar at the ministerial level under Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship for 2025. This meeting brings together the foreign ministers and senior officials of all the 10 ASEAN Member States. The Foreign Minister of Timor-Leste will participate as an ASEAN Observer.

Priorities and Deliverables for ASEAN Chairmanship

The retreat will see Malaysia present the priority areas and deliverables for its chairmanship under the theme of ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability’, focused on strengthening the ASEAN Community through the three pillars: political-security, economic, and socio-cultural.

“This will reflect Malaysia’s objective of fostering a more integrated, inclusive and sustainable ASEAN, while enhancing regional peace, stability and prosperity,” said a statement issued by the Malaysian Foreign Ministry.

Key Agenda Items

The retreat will also discuss ASEAN’s strategic direction and ASEAN’s external relations. It will review follow-up actions on the decisions made by ASEAN Leaders during the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and Related Summits, held in Vientiane, Laos, in October 2024.

Additionally, the ASEAN Foreign Ministers will exchange views on current developments in regional and international issues, including the crisis in Myanmar, geopolitical tensions and other challenges affecting regional peace and stability.

Myanmar Crisis and South China Sea Tensions

Ahead of the AMM Retreat, Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry Secretary-General and ASEAN Malaysia Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) Leader, Datuk Seri Amran Mohamed Zin, said the Myanmar crisis and tensions in the South China Sea will be discussed at the meeting.

The Myanmar issue centres on the ongoing political and humanitarian crisis following the 2021 military coup, which has strained ASEAN’s unity and challenged its principles of non-interference and consensus in addressing regional stability and human rights.

The South China Sea issue revolves around overlapping territorial and maritime claims among several ASEAN member states and China, creating tensions over sovereignty, resource exploitation and freedom of navigation in the region.

Malaysia’s Role as ASEAN Chair

In defining Malaysia’s role as the ASEAN Chair, Chairman of independent think tank EMIR Research, Datuk Dr Rais Hussin, said Malaysia must focus on fostering unity while respecting member nations’ sovereignty and diverse interests.

“This aligns with Malaysia’s ‘MADANI’ vision, which champions inclusivity, integrity and equitable participation, said Rais, an expert on regional policy.

“This resonates with ASEAN’s foundational principle of ‘Unity in Diversity’, he added.

Rais noted that Malaysia should continue to foster balanced relationships with all major and middle powers, reflecting ASEAN’s principle of neutrality.

“By doing so, Malaysia can help mitigate geopolitical rivalries and maintain ASEAN’s centrality in the regional architecture,” he said.

Conclusion

The ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat is a crucial meeting in the annual ASEAN calendar, focusing on strengthening the ASEAN Community and fostering inclusivity and sustainability. The meeting will review key agenda items, including the crisis in Myanmar and tensions in the South China Sea, and discuss ASEAN’s strategic direction and external relations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the theme of Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship for 2025?
A: The theme is “Inclusivity and Sustainability”, focusing on strengthening the ASEAN Community through the three pillars: political-security, economic, and socio-cultural.

Q: What are the key agenda items for the AMM Retreat?
A: The meeting will discuss ASEAN’s strategic direction and ASEAN’s external relations, review follow-up actions on the decisions made by ASEAN Leaders, and exchange views on current developments in regional and international issues.

Q: Will the Myanmar crisis and South China Sea tensions be discussed at the meeting?
A: Yes, ahead of the AMM Retreat, Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry Secretary-General and ASEAN Malaysia Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) Leader, Datuk Seri Amran Mohamed Zin, said the Myanmar crisis and tensions in the South China Sea will be discussed at the meeting.

Q: What is Malaysia’s role as ASEAN Chair?
A: Malaysia must focus on fostering unity while respecting member nations’ sovereignty and diverse interests, and continue to foster balanced relationships with all major and middle powers, reflecting ASEAN’s principle of neutrality.