Peace and prosperity in ASEAN aren’t guaranteed—they demand constant effort and collaboration. This was the stark warning from Malaysian Prime Minister and ASEAN Chair Anwar Ibrahim as he opened the biannual leaders' summit, marking a pivotal moment with Timor-Leste's formal admission into the bloc. But here's where it gets controversial: in a world of rising protectionism and shifting global supply chains, can ASEAN truly maintain its hard-won stability without fundamentally rethinking its approach to cooperation? And this is the part most people miss: it’s not just about economic ties, but about fostering a shared purpose that strengthens the region’s resolve in uncertain times.
Anwar emphasized that ASEAN’s relative peace and prosperity, enjoyed for nearly six decades, are not self-sustaining. They require active renewal through deepened partnerships and a commitment to collective goals. This is why the bloc is not only expanding its economic linkages and trade but also enhancing its competitiveness—a strategy that feels more urgent than ever in 2025. As Anwar put it, “The world feels unsettled—the old order no longer certain, the new one not yet defined.” These words resonate deeply as geopolitical tensions, particularly between the United States and China, cast a long shadow over the summit.
This year’s gathering is billed as one of the most significant in recent memory, drawing high-profile attendees like U.S. President Donald Trump, Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. But amidst the diplomatic fanfare, Anwar’s message was clear: ASEAN must navigate these crosswinds with courage, not just to protect its economies, but to uphold faith in cooperation itself. “Can understanding and dialogue still prevail in a divided age?” he asked, a question that lingers long after his speech.
To illustrate ASEAN’s proactive stance, Anwar highlighted recent initiatives like Malaysia’s hosting of the 2nd ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and ASEAN-GCC-China Summits. The upcoming 5th Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Leaders’ Summit aims to unlock the full potential of the world’s largest free-trade area. Additionally, the upgraded ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA), set to launch at the summit, promises a more seamless regional market. By lowering tariffs and removing non-tariff barriers, ATIGA seeks to boost intra-ASEAN trade, which stood at 22.3% of total goods traded in 2022—a figure that, as Malaysian Investment Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz noted, “has room for improvement.”
But it’s not just about trade. ASEAN is also advancing the ASEAN Power Grid with a new financing facility to accelerate the transition to cleaner energy. And in a move that underscores the bloc’s commitment to ethical innovation, Anwar announced the establishment of the ASEAN AI Safety Network (AI SAFE) to ensure artificial intelligence is governed by principles of ethics and safety. “Technology must remain our servant, not our master,” he declared.
Timor-Leste’s admission into ASEAN marks a “historic” moment, as Anwar described it, completing the ASEAN family and reaffirming a shared regional destiny. For Timor-Leste, a nation of 1.4 million that gained independence from Indonesia in 2002, this is more than a diplomatic milestone—it’s a testament to resilience and hope. Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao celebrated the occasion, stating, “Today, history is made. This is a dream realized and a powerful affirmation of our journey.”
Yet, amidst these achievements, challenges remain. The recent Thailand-Cambodia border dispute, which erupted into deadly clashes in July, serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of peace. While a ceasefire was brokered, tensions persist, and the signing of a peace agreement later in the summit will be closely watched. “Our strength lies not in uniformity, but in the conviction that respect and reason still bind us together,” Anwar reflected. “Reconciliation is not a concession, but an act of courage.”
Outside the summit, however, a different narrative unfolded. Hundreds gathered at Dataran Merdeka to protest Trump’s arrival, voicing dissatisfaction with his administration’s perceived pro-Israel stance in the Gaza conflict, which has claimed nearly 70,000 lives. This juxtaposition of diplomacy and dissent highlights the complexities ASEAN faces in balancing regional unity with global controversies.
As the summit unfolds, one question remains: Can ASEAN’s model of cooperation and shared purpose truly withstand the pressures of a fragmented world? And what role will newer members like Timor-Leste play in shaping its future? The answers may well determine not just ASEAN’s destiny, but the trajectory of global cooperation itself. What do you think? Is ASEAN’s approach sustainable, or does it need a radical rethink? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
