Malaysia Gears Up To Host 47th ASEAN Summit, Largest Gathering Of Prominent World Leaders
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 22 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is set to become the diplomatic capital of Southeast Asia as it gears up to host the largest gathering of regional and world leaders at the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, scheduled from Oct 26 to 28.
More than 30 heads of state and government, including ASEAN leaders and key dialogue partners such as the United States (US), China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, New Zealand and Canada, will converge at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre here, to discuss regional peace, economic resilience and inclusive growth under Malaysia’s 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship theme of 'Inclusivity and Sustainability'.
A total of 2,854 media personnel from 290 agencies have registered to cover the historic event, which will also mark the formal admission of Timor-Leste as ASEAN's 11th member state, symbolising Southeast Asia's continued unity and expansion.
Among the high-profile arrivals expected on Oct 26 are US President Donald Trump and Chinese Premier Li Qiang.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa are due to arrive on Oct 24 to attend as ASEAN’s new sectoral dialogue partners, while Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to arrive on Oct 25.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has described the summit as one of the largest in ASEAN’s history, noting that Malaysia, as the current Chair, is committed to ensuring that the discussion yields tangible outcomes.
The gathering, he said, is an opportunity to strengthen global partnerships and reinforce ASEAN as a platform for meaningful dialogue and collaboration among key economies, and that Trump’s presence provides an opportunity to deepen Malaysia-US ties and address pressing international concerns, including the Gaza situation and regional peace efforts.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said 84 outcome documents are expected to be issued, reflecting Malaysia’s commitment to advancing ASEAN’s shared vision towards ASEAN 2045.
A new approach was also introduced this year, where foreign ministers and economic ministers would meet jointly to coordinate policies for the first time, he noted.
Ahead of the leaders' arrivals, senior officials and ministers will convene preparatory meetings from Oct 23 to 25, including the Meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives (CPR) to ASEAN, the ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC), and the Joint Meeting of ASEAN Foreign and Economic Ministers.
The sessions will also feature the Signing of the Instrument of Accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC).
The main summit will officially kick off on Sunday (Oct 26) with the opening ceremony, the ASEAN Prize Presentation, the Signing of the Declaration on Timor-Leste, and the handover ceremony of the Second Protocol to Amend the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA).
Key meetings such as the ASEAN Plus Three (APT) Summit, the East Asia Summit (EAS), and a series of ASEAN+1 engagements with major partners, including the United Nations (UN), will follow.
The summit will conclude on Oct 28 with the closing ceremony and the handover of the ASEAN Chairmanship to the Philippines, marking the culmination of a landmark year for Malaysia in advancing regional cooperation and inclusivity.
-- BERNAMA
