Asean must strengthen its integration to give itself manoeuvring space: PM Wong

A more ambitious agenda is necessary for the grouping in the years ahead, he says

- Hariz Baharudin

KUALA LUMPUR - Asean countries must redouble efforts to deepen the grouping's integration in a world where multilateralism and globalisation are in retreat, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said on May 26.

Doing so while also strengthening its external partnerships will be key to ensuring it has "the manoeuvring space and the agency" to continue charting its own destiny in these turbulent times, he added.

Speaking at both the plenary and retreat sessions of the 46th Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur, PM Wong said a more ambitious agenda is necessary for Asean in the years ahead if the region is to be more secure, stable and prosperous.

In his remarks, PM Wong commended Malaysia for its efforts in steering Asean's response through these very difficult times.

"We should continue to constructively engage the US, individually as countries but more importantly, collectively as Asean. We appreciate Malaysia's leadership in that regard," he said.

PM Wong noted that, under Malaysia's chairmanship, Asean concluded upgrades to trade pacts such as the Asean Trade in Goods Agreement and the Asean-China Free Trade Agreement, and is also on track to concluding negotiations on the Asean Digital Economy Framework Agreement in 2025.

"All this demonstrates Asean's ability to make progress in meaningful areas of cooperation, but there is still much more to be done, and we have to chart a more ambitious agenda for Asean in the years ahead," he said.

PM Wong also welcomed the signing of an enhanced memorandum of understanding on the Asean Power Grid — aimed at improving regional clean energy connectivity — but noted that there are still key elements that must be put in place, including a proper framework for subsea power cables in Asean.

A key area for improvement is in the timely implementation of agreements that the grouping has already inked, he said.