Kuala Lumpur Declaration sets long-term strategy for ASEAN
According to the Declaration, ASEAN member states reaffirmed their collective resolve to enhance regional unity, promote inclusive and sustainable development and strengthen institutional capacity to respond effectively to existing and future megatrends.
ASEAN leaders on May 26 adopted the Kuala Lumpur Declaration entitled "ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future”, setting a foundation to guide the region’s development and cooperation over the next two decades.
The declaration, endorsed at the 46th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, marks a significant milestone in the bloc’s commitment to building a more resilient, innovative, dynamic and people-centred regional community.
According to the Declaration, ASEAN member states reaffirmed their collective resolve to enhance regional unity, promote inclusive and sustainable development and strengthen institutional capacity to respond effectively to existing and future megatrends.
The document also envisions ASEAN as the epicentre of growth in the Indo-Pacific region, with a strong emphasis on regional solidarity, a shared identity and equitable access to economic opportunities among its people.
The Declaration emphasises the importance of enhancing ASEAN’s resilience and promoting collective, efficient, effective and innovative responses to regional and global challenges and future shocks, which would help secure the future of the bloc and its people.
Among the key decisions made under the Declaration is the formal adoption of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and its accompanying strategic plans across four pillars - Political-Security, Economic, Socio-Cultural, and Connectivity.
The ASEAN leaders also reiterated their commitment to enhancing ASEAN’s institutional capacity and effectiveness, including reforms to enhance the capacity of the ASEAN Secretariat.
They also agreed to approve the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Work Plan V (2026 - 2030) at the 47th ASEAN Summit.
The Kuala Lumpur Declaration 2045 builds on previous landmark agreements, including the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on ASEAN 2025: Forging Ahead Together (2015), the Hanoi Declaration (2020), the Phnom Penh Connectivity Agenda (2022), the Labuan Bajo Leaders’ Statement (2023) and the Vientiane Declaration on the Development of the Strategic Plans (2024). It underscores ASEAN’s continued commitment to uphold the principles enshrined in the ASEAN Charter, international law and the United Nations Charter.
The 46th ASEAN Summit, which is being held under Malaysia’s 2025 Chairmanship themed “Inclusivity and Sustainability,” has brought together leaders from member states to discuss regional issues and map out the bloc’s future direction. Meanwhile, the second ASEAN-GCC Summit and the first ASEAN-GCC-China Summit on May 27 will show ASEAN’s ongoing efforts to strengthen regional and international cooperation.
