Speeches & Statements

OPENING REMARKS

BY YB DATO’ SERI UTAMA HAJI MOHAMAD BIN HAJI HASAN

MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF MALAYSIA

ASEAN DAY CELEBRATION

8 AUGUST 2025

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Yang Amat Berhormat Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim,

Prime Minister of Malaysia,

Yang Berhormat Dato’ Sri Tiong King Sing,

Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture,

Yang Berhormat Datuk Mohamad Alamin,

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs,

Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

1.   It is an honour to welcome you all here today.

2.   Today marks an especially significant occasion. We have gathered today not just in the name of ASEAN, but in the name of the very CREATION of ASEAN. To celebrate the very moment that changed the trajectory of our region.

3.   In the 1960s, the world was fractured by superpower competition.

4.   Among the trampling feet of giants, the smaller, newly independent states, emerging from the dust of World War 2, were extremely vulnerable.

5.   In such times, it was a visionary act for the five Southeast Asian nations of Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand to gather in Bangkok and pledge to navigate this world together.

6.   Thus, ASEAN was born. Into a fragile, wartorn world. It was an experiment in peacemaking and minilateralism.

7.   And over the past 58 years, with each new Member State and each new Dialogue Partner, we have evolved into an organisation like no other. We have set a new standard for diversity in global governance.

8.   For Malaysia, ASEAN has always been central to how we engage with the world. Through consensus and shared purpose, consistent in our pursuit, of an inclusive and sustainable Southeast Asia.

9.   As the second half of our Chairmanship progresses, I am proud to see that ASEAN has continued to adapt, to meet the challenges of our time.

10.  The ASEAN Community Vision 2045: Our Shared Future, is our blueprint to build a more resilient, innovative, and people-centred region over the next twenty years.

11.  It is grounded in today’s realities, while preparing for tomorrow’s needs. This has also been our approach to Southeast Asia’s most pressing challenges.

12.  We have pushed for principled and practical crisis management in Myanmar. From humanitarian engagement and advocacy for an expanded ceasefire, to proposing a permanent Special Envoy to handle the protracted crisis.

13.  We are focused on restoring credibility to the Five-Point Consensus, and supporting the people of Myanmar in their time of need.

14.  And when tensions flared between our neighbours, Malaysia, as ASEAN Chair, convened both parties in Putrajaya, and helped broker a ceasefire – one that was agreed upon, implemented, monitored, and backed by ASEAN.

15.  This was more than a diplomatic exercise. It was a demonstration of ASEAN’s ability to act, and its value as a platform.

16.  As our founding fathers knew, peace is not a passive ideal. It is something we must continuously work for. And ASEAN, time and again, has shown that it is willing and able to do so.

17.  As we move forward, let us stay true to the spirit of our founders. To speak as one, act as one, and grow as one.

18.  With that, I wish everyone here a very happy 58th ASEAN Day.

Thank you