Sec-gen calls for strengthening of legal certainty, dispute settlement mechanisms as bloc becoms fourth-largest economy by 2030

Bloc's principled neutrality, commitment to dialogue can serve as stabilising force in volatile world, says its sec-gen

SEPANG, July 7 — One of the region’s most significant diplomatic gatherings is taking shape in Malaysia, as foreign ministers from Asean and its key partners arrived on Monday for the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) and related meetings, which kicks off tomorrow in Kuala Lumpur.

JAKARTA, May 28 — Asean secretary-general Kao Kim Hourn today hailed the 46th Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur as a success, citing the adoption of the Asean Community Vision 2045 and progress toward Timor-Leste’s full membership as landmark outcomes.

KUALA LUMPUR, April 9 — The Asean Power Grid (APG) vision requires an estimated investment of US$764 billion (RM3.4 trillion) for power generation and transmission infrastructure, said Asean secretary-general Kao Kim Hourn.

KOTA TINGGI, Mar 1 — The 31st Asean Economic Ministers’ (AEM) Retreat has achieved significant progress, with productive discussions on economic integration and strategic initiatives, said Asean secretary-general Kao Kim Hourn.

JAKARTA, Dec 1 — Asean Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn will embark on a three-day working visit to Malaysia starting tomorrow, where he will meet with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to discuss preparations for Malaysia’s upcoming Asean chairmanship in 2025.

VIENTIANE, Nov 25 — While the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) has made significant progress in its communication efforts, many citizens across the region are still unaware of how the regional bloc's initiatives directly impact their daily lives.

SINGAPORE, Oct 30 — Asean must focus on enhancing workforce skills, improving labour market regulations, and fostering inclusive economic growth to effectively navigate critical challenges facing the labour sector in the region, said its secretary-general Kao Kim Hourn.

SINGAPORE, Oct 16 — Asean must intensify its efforts to raise cybersecurity awareness, particularly in addressing the growing threats of online scams and disinformation, by adopting a whole-of-Asean approach to ensure a secure digital ecosystem, especially for vulnerable groups, said Asean secretary-general Kao Kim Hourn.

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 20 — Malaysia, like other Asean countries, will continue to strengthen its neutral stance so that more investment and trade will flow to the ten member countries of the bloc, said Investment, Trade, and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz.

JAKARTA, Aug 8 — Asean secretary-general Kao Kim Hourn called for ongoing regional integration and adaptability to ensure the grouping remains responsive to future opportunities and disruptions amid current challenges, including geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainties.

KUALA LUMPUR, June 21 — Asean secretary-general Kao Kim Hourn said Malaysia’s Asean chairmanship next year will be a critical point for the grouping, said the Asean Secretariat on X and its webpage.

KUALA LUMPUR, June 6 — The Asean Secretariat is ready to render its full support to Malaysia as the Asean chair next year.

JAKARTA, June 3 — Asean Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn is scheduled to attend the 37th Asia-Pacific Roundtable in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday and Wednesday.

HANOI, April 22 — The Asean Future Forum 2024 (AFF 2024), to take place in Hanoi, Vietnam tomorrow, is expected to create a platform for stakeholders to contribute ideas and initiatives on Asean's future vision, said Vietnamese Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Đỗ Hùng Việt.

JAKARTA, April 2 — Asean secretary-general Kao Kim Hourn has encouraged Timor-Leste to swiftly meet the requirements outlined in the roadmap for its full membership in Asean.

MELBOURNE, March 5 — Malaysia will be among the first countries to receive a mission under the Australian government’s new programme to boost trade with Southeast Asia.

MOSCOW, December 16 — Tokyo will host a three-day commemorative Asean -Japan summit from Saturday to mark 50 years of friendship and cooperation between Japan and the union of 10 Southeast Asian nations, Sputnik reported.

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 5 — Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said Vietnam has expressed its willingness to continue exporting rice to Malaysia.