Selangor Journal
The Petronas Twin Towers is visible in the background of a signboard for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) 2025 decorates the environs of Kuala Lumpur, as Malaysia takes over as Asean chair this year, on January 1, 2025. — Picture by BERNAMA

Malaysia stresses Asean’s great potential at WEF 2025

DAVOS, Jan 23 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the emphasis on the great potential of the Asean region was the main message delivered in conjunction with his attendance at the 2025 World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Summit.

As chairman of Asean 2025, Malaysia emphasised the region’s special features including in the field of economy and trade at the WEF 2025 session this time.

“It trades intra (Asean) and also as a trading force with the United States, China, Europe, and with BRICS.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim speaks during the closing press conference today in conjunction with his working visit to the World Economic Forum’s Annual Summit in Davos, Switzerland, on January 23, 2025. — Picture by AFIQ HAMBALI/PEJABAT PERDANA MENTERI

“We say Asean with nearly 700 million people, with the fastest economic growth and a peaceful region has great potential,” he said at the closing press conference today in conjunction with his working visit to WEF 2025.

Anwar added that apart from trade and economic potential, Aseanalso wants to focus on energy transition issues, in addition to issues such as education, food technology, connectivity and digital.

“Our focus, other than education and food technology, is on energy transition — with the grid from Indochina, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, to the Philippines. This is something quite different, an extraordinary progress,” he said.

Anwar attended the WEF 2025 for the first time since assuming office in 2022 at the invitation of WEF founder cum chairman of the board of trustees Prof Klaus Schwab.

The working visit to Davos is the last destination in his series of working visits covering four countries, namely the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Belgium, and Switzerland.

“We are grateful that as the first time I have attended as Prime Minister, I think the treatment and recognition of (WEF) to the country is very good.

“Whether the path given at the plenary session (Asean) and also the concurrent session attended by other ministers,” he said.

During the three-day visit to WEF 2025, Anwar was accompanied by Investment, Trade, and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir, and Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo.

The forum sessions involving Asean at WEF 2025 include the ‘Asean Leaders for Just Energy Transition’ meeting, a press briefing titled ‘Unlocking Asean’s Digital Future: Driving Inclusive Growth and Global Competitiveness’, and the Asean Plenary session titled ‘Even Stronger Together’.

— Bernama

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