KUALA LUMPUR, May 24 — Efforts to strengthen and revitalise cooperation with non-Asean partners were among matters discussed at today’s Asean Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM), taking place ahead of the 46th Asean Summit.
Foreign Ministry Secretary General Datuk Seri Amran Mohamed Zin said discussions also focused on issues related to the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) and enhancing cooperation through the Asean Regional Forum (ARF).
“Today, at the senior officials level, we are finalising issues that will be given consideration at the ministerial-level meetings tomorrow morning, as well as at the level of heads of state and government during the 46th Asean Summit.
“(Also being discussed) at the senior officials level is our agenda of activities for the coming months until December 2025, covering the period of Malaysia’s Asean chairmanship 2025,” he told the press today.
The SOM Meeting, which started at 8.30am, brings together senior Asean officials, SOM representatives from Timor-Leste, and Asean Secretariat staff to align positions on key regional issues ahead of the Asean Leaders’ sessions.
Amran said the meeting also covered the issue of Timor-Leste’s Asean membership, which remains a primary focus in discussions on Asean expansion and engagement.
“Foreign Minister (Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan) will hold a curtain raiser or press conference tomorrow. Detailed information will be shared during that session,” he said.
Preparations for the East Asia Summit (EAS) were also discussed at the senior officials level.
“In June, we will host meetings of Asean senior officials, Asean Plus Three — China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea — as well as meetings of the ARF and EAS.
"Therefore, a wide range of aspects are being discussed today so that when the meetings take place in June, Asean will collectively be ready to chart its direction and mechanisms,” Amran said.
Malaysia, as Asean chair this year with the theme 'Inclusion and Sustainability', is the host of the 46th Asean Summit on Monday (May 26) and Tuesday (May 27). This is the fifth time the country has chaired the regional bloc, after previously doing so in 1977, 1997, 2005, and 2015.
Besides Asean-level meetings, this summit will also feature two important interregional platforms: the 2nd Asean-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and the inaugural Asean-GCC-China Summit, reflecting Asean's increasing engagement with key international partners.
The Asean Summit and Related Meetings are expected to address various urgent regional and global issues, with the situation in Myanmar remaining a critical topic of concern for Asean member states.
— Bernama
