ASEAN summit opens in Kuala Lumpur with key regional issues on agenda

By Anadolu staff

ANKARA (AA) - The 46th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit kicked off Monday in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur as leaders from the region converged to discuss key regional and global issues.

The event began with a traditional ASEAN handshake as the leaders are set to discuss challenges, strategic priorities and efforts to reinforce regional unity, the Malay Mail reported.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, as the rotating chair, is presiding over the summit.

The summit also includes the ASEAN Leaders’ Interface with Representatives of ASEAN Inter Parliamentary Assembly, the ASEAN Leaders’ Interface with Representatives of Asean Youth and the ASEAN Leaders’ Interface with Representatives of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council.

The day’s focal point is the signing of the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future.

ASEAN is a 10-member international intergovernmental organization consisting of Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Brunei, Thailand, Myanmar, the Philippines, Cambodia, Singapore and Malaysia.

Malaysia assumed the ASEAN rotating chairmanship in 2025.

*Writing by Aamir Latif