Expert: ASEAN summit in Malaysia set to be key global economic event of 2025

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit, taking place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from 26 to 28 October, is among the most significant diplomatic and economic gatherings of the year, according to Lubarto Sartoyo, President of the Alliance of Business Structures and Entrepreneurs of ASEAN Countries, speaking exclusively to TV BRICS.

He emphasised that discussions at the summit will focus on peace, sustainable economic growth and inclusivity, with particular attention to regional trade development and digital integration. 

"Intra-ASEAN trade currently accounts for around 24 per cent of the bloc’s total trade. It is clear that ASEAN will aim to increase this share through modernisation"

Lubarto Sartoyo President of the Alliance of Business Structures and Entrepreneurs of ASEAN Countries

The expert also highlighted the historic nature of the event, marking the official admission of East Timor as ASEAN’s 11th member state. “This accession underlines ASEAN’s unity and symbolises the continued expansion of Southeast Asia’s global influence,” he said.

Alongside the leaders’ summit, ministerial meetings, the ASEAN Coordinating Council session, and the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit are also being held. A document on accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia is expected to be signed, Sartoyo added.

The 47th ASEAN Summit is chaired by Malaysia under the theme “Inclusivity and Sustainable Development.” According to BERNAMA, a partner of TV BRICS, participants include Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (joining online), Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksey Overchuk, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, among others.

Photo: Kirillm / iStock