KUALA LUMPUR: Asean has a voice and must use it to speak up for the oppressed and offer solutions grounded in principles and international law, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan (pic).
The Foreign Minister said that at the regional level, Asean has asserted and demonstrated its proactiveness, adding how the bloc took swift and immediate action following the tragic earthquake that struck parts of Myanmar and Thailand.
“Our quick response is a reflection of the spirit of compassion, solidarity and humanity that inspired the founding of Asean itself.
“It is also a testament to the unwavering commitment of the Asean family to support Myanmar in this time of adversity,” he said in his opening remarks during the Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting here on Sunday (May 25).
More than 3,000 people died in the earthquake that struck Myanmar.
“We also call on stakeholders in Myanmar to cease hostilities and to extend and expand the ceasefire to facilitate the long and difficult path towards recovery and ease the suffering of the people in Myanmar,” he added.
On another matter, Mohamad said Asean must seize the opportunity to deepen regional economic integration to better shield the region from external shocks.
“As we advance our community-building efforts, we must confront the reality that reducing the income disparities within Asean must be viewed as a priority.
“Aside from increasing the volume of trade within our region, we must also continue to enhance the mechanisms that facilitate intra-Asean trade,” he said.
By tailoring them to each member states' unique strengths, Mohamad said this can address uneven economic growth within the grouping.
“Diversifying our partnerships will also empower us to handle future shocks that come from external economic factors.
“We must respond to the potential fallout from global trade disruptions together, with cohesion, solidarity and strategic autonomy as one Asean community.
“These collective efforts will enable Asean to weather challenges, minimise impact on our people and continue to grow sustainably with a future-proof mindset,” he said.
Malaysia will host the 46th Asean Summit and Related Summits from May 26 to 27.
Wisma Putra is taking the lead in organising these summits under Malaysia’s Asean chairmanship this year with the theme ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability’.
Two other high-level meetings – the 2nd Asean-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and the Asean-GCC-China Economic Summit – will also be held.
