ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat: A Platform for Regional and International Discussions
The ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat (AMM Retreat) is set to take place on Sunday, with Malaysia’s Foreign Minister, Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, chairing the meeting. The retreat will bring together Foreign Ministers and senior officials from ASEAN Member States to discuss a wide range of regional and international issues.
Agenda and Objectives
According to a statement from Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry, the retreat will focus on ASEAN’s strategic direction, efforts to strengthen the ASEAN Community, and ASEAN’s external relations. The 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.
The Foreign Minister will also take the opportunity to hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts to discuss issues related to strengthening ASEAN and bilateral relations.
Participation and Attendance
The AMM Retreat will involve the participation of Foreign Ministers and senior officials from ASEAN Member States. The Foreign Minister of Timor-Leste will be participating as an ASEAN Observer, along with ASEAN Secretary-General, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, and a representative from Myanmar.
Review of Decisions and Priorities
The meeting 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, October last year. Malaysia will present the priority areas and deliverables for its Chairmanship under the theme "Inclusivity and Sustainability".
Malaysia will highlight its leadership in strengthening the ASEAN Community through the identified priority areas and deliverables, which span 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.
First Meeting under Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship
The AMM Retreat is the first scheduled meeting in the annual ASEAN calendar at the ministerial level under Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship for 2025. Over 200 delegates from the 10 ASEAN Member States and Observer State Timor-Leste are attending the retreat.
Conclusion
The ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat is an important platform for regional and international discussions, providing an opportunity for Foreign Ministers to exchange views and strengthen bilateral relations. Malaysia’s Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2025 is expected to focus on fostering a more integrated, inclusive, and sustainable ASEAN, and the AMM Retreat is a key step in achieving this objective.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the purpose of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat?
A: The retreat is a platform for regional and international discussions, focusing on ASEAN’s strategic direction, efforts to strengthen the ASEAN Community, and ASEAN’s external relations.
Q: Who will be participating in the retreat?
A: Foreign Ministers and senior officials from ASEAN Member States, the Foreign Minister of Timor-Leste as an ASEAN Observer, ASEAN Secretary-General, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, and a representative from Myanmar.
Q: What are the priority areas and deliverables for Malaysia’s Chairmanship under the theme "Inclusivity and Sustainability"?
A: The priority areas and deliverables will focus on strengthening the ASEAN Community through three pillars: political-security, economic, and socio-cultural.