In a recent analysis by Tan Sri Dr Munir Majid in The Edge Malaysia, the author emphasizes the need for Asean to be bold and strategic in its post-2025 plans. The Asean secretariat is currently preparing the post-2025 Asean Community plans, with a particular focus on the Asean Economic Community (AEC) plan. The AEC post-2025 blueprint should address economic, political-security, and sociocultural challenges [284bd97d].
The Asean Integration Monitoring Directorate has reported that a majority of the 2,408 action lines under the AEC Blueprint 2015-25 have been completed. The Asean economy has grown to be approximately the same size as India's, with a GDP of US$3.8 trillion. However, efforts at economic integration should be doubled in the next blueprint to overcome barriers that hinder further progress. The Asean decision-making process is slow, and the secretariat is underfunded. To address this, Malaysia should push for the establishment of an Asean High-Level Commission (AHLC) that can make decisions during emergencies. The AHLC could handle socioeconomic emergencies, while the Asean Coordinating Council would coordinate decisions already made by the leaders. The post-2025 blueprints should also address challenges in areas such as security, technology, and climate change [284bd97d].
The AEC Blueprint should acknowledge the challenges posed by climate change and the need for joint action. The Asean post-2025 plan should confront the strategic challenges that are impacting the world and suggest ways to effectively manage them [284bd97d].
This analysis provides valuable insights into the importance of Asean's post-2025 plans, particularly in addressing economic integration and strategic challenges. The author highlights the need for bold and strategic decision-making, as well as increased efforts in economic integration. By addressing these challenges and working together, Asean can continue to strengthen its position as a regional powerhouse and effectively navigate the changing global landscape.
Malaysia plans to propose the concept of Asean Community Vision 2045 next year, focusing on making Asean one large community in terms of economy, energy distribution, and infrastructure. The proposal will be made after Malaysia assumes the chairmanship from Laos at the Asean summit in October this year. The aim is for Asean to grow together, as it currently has a GDP that is the fifth largest in the world and is expected to become the fourth largest in the next few years. The proposal will cover the period from 2025 to 2045. The Asean Foreign Ministers Meeting and Post-Ministerial Conferences in Laos will discuss topics such as resilience, connectivity, the situations in Myanmar and the South China Sea, and maintaining peace in Southeast Asia. The meetings will also involve dialogue with 11 Asean Dialogue countries. There will be a total of 19 meetings, not including bilateral meetings between Malaysia and other countries. [0640244f]