On this occasion, Datin Sarah Al Bakri Devadason, Ambassador of Malaysia to ASEAN - the ASEAN Chair 2025, further elaborated on the main agenda and expected outcomes of the summit during an interview granted to Jakarta-based VOV correspondents. Following is the full text of the interview.

VOV: Could you share some issues at the top of the agenda and expected outcomes of the 46th ASEAN Summit?
Ambassador Sarah: The 46th ASEAN Summit will mark a significant moment in ASEAN’s ongoing community-building journey, as member states come together to reaffirm their commitment to deeper integration, unity and collective resilience. The summit is expected to adopt the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future”, a landmark compendium comprising six key documents under the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, that will guide ASEAN’s direction over the next two decades. This compendium reflects ASEAN’s shared ambition to build a peaceful, stable and inclusive community that is adaptable to future challenges, including those related to sustainability, digitalisation, geopolitics and demographic shifts.

Community-building efforts will be further reinforced by discussions on accelerating regional connectivity, both physical and digital, through strategic initiatives that enhance infrastructure linkages, trade facilitation and digital transformation. These efforts are aimed at narrowing development gaps and ensuring that the benefits of integration are equitably shared across all ASEAN member states.

The summit will also review the situation in Myanmar, with a continued emphasis on the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus (5PC) as ASEAN’s agreed framework for addressing the political and humanitarian crisis. ASEAN remains committed to supporting inclusive dialogue, the cessation of violence, and expanded humanitarian access, while reaffirming its position that progress must be both meaningful and measurable.

VOV: What measures will ASEAN member states discuss to continue resolving the political situation in Myanmar, especially in the context that the country is facing many difficulties due to the impact of the recent strong earthquake?
Ambassador Sarah: ASEAN remains gravely concerned over the ongoing crisis in Myanmar. The recent devastating earthquake has further compounded the humanitarian suffering of the Myanmar people and highlights the urgent need for ASEAN to address both the humanitarian and political dimensions with urgency and unity.

Malaysia reaffirms its strong support for the Five-Point Consensus as ASEAN’s agreed framework to address the situation. In light of the humanitarian challenges, ASEAN will continue to deliberate on key measures, including (i) enhancing humanitarian assistance through the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance (AHA Centre); (ii) pursuing more inclusive and practical engagement with all relevant stakeholders in Myanmar; and (iii) strengthening the role and mandate of the ASEAN Chair’s Special Envoy to engage beyond formal actors and to facilitate genuine dialogue and trust-building on the ground.

As Chair in 2025, Malaysia will work closely with all ASEAN member states to ensure that ASEAN remains a constructive and credible platform in assisting the people of Myanmar during this challenging period.

VOV: ASEAN and China aim to conclude the South China Sea Code of Conduct (COC) by 2026. How do you assess about this goal?
Ambassador Sarah: Malaysia welcomes the shared commitment by ASEAN and China to conclude an effective and substantive Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea by 2026. As Chair of ASEAN in 2025, Malaysia views this goal as both timely and crucial in reinforcing regional peace, stability and mutual trust. An effective COC will serve as a key instrument to manage tensions, prevent conflict, and promote responsible behaviour by all parties in the South China Sea.

Under Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship, we are committed to facilitating constructive dialogue and sustaining the momentum of negotiations, while ensuring that ASEAN remains united and central in navigating maritime security challenges. Malaysia will work closely with all ASEAN member states and China to advance a rules-based regional maritime order for the benefit of all.

VOV: With the United States proposing new tariffs on key ASEAN exports, what unified stance of measures is ASEAN preparing to protect the member states’ economic interests?
Ambassador Sarah: ASEAN is deeply concerned about the introduction of unilateral tariff measures by the United States, which could adversely impact key exports from several ASEAN member states. In response, ASEAN has taken a unified stance by issuing the Joint Statement of the ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) on the Introduction of Unilateral Tariffs by the United States, reaffirming the region’s commitment to a rules-based, transparent and inclusive multilateral trading system.

The Joint Statement underscores ASEAN’s collective position that such unilateral measures risk undermining global trade norms and may disrupt supply chains and economic recovery efforts across the region. It also calls for dialogue and restraint, encouraging the US to resolve trade concerns through multilateral frameworks such as the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

As Chair of ASEAN in 2025, Malaysia supports this unified approach and will continue to work with all member states to strengthen economic resilience. Our priorities include advancing intra-ASEAN trade through the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA), leveraging regional frameworks such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and enhancing engagement with external partners to maintain open and fair market access. ASEAN remains committed to constructive dialogue with the United States to find balanced and mutually beneficial solutions that support regional and global economic stability.

VOV: Thank you so much for the interview.

Inclusivity and sustainability-ASEAN’s new strategic path: Vietnamese Ambassador

Permanent Representative of Vietnam to ASEAN Ambassador Ton Thi Ngoc Huong has highlighted the significance of ASEAN 2025’s theme “Inclusivity and sustainability” in an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency ahead of the 46th ASEAN Summit and related meetings to be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from May 26-27.