Notable wins mark successful year for Asean under Malaysia’s lead
Significant progress in economic integration, diplomacy and inclusivity has made 2025 a transformative year for Asean under Malaysia’s chairmanship, according to an analyst and a former diplomat.
They cited key developments, ranging from breakthroughs in digital economy negotiations to diplomatic achievements, as factors that have demonstrated Asean’s growing global clout and future-ready strategies.
Analyst Jamil Ghani noted that under Malaysia’s guidance, Asean has initiated a subtle but crucial shift in its economic direction.
He told FMT the bloc is no longer solely focused on reducing trade barriers, but is now pursuing deeper, more strategic economic integration.
A major milestone is the completion of 70% of negotiations for the Asean Digital Economy Framework Agreement.
This ambitious…
