KOTA TINGGI, Mar 1 — The 31st Asean Economic Ministers’ (AEM) Retreat has achieved significant progress, with productive discussions on economic integration and strategic initiatives, said Asean secretary-general Kao Kim Hourn.
He said the retreat, held under Malaysia’s chairmanship in 2025, demonstrated strong leadership and commitment to advancing Asean’s economic agenda.
“The retreat today is indeed a very productive one, with a lot of substantive outcomes on the leadership.
“The ministers had frank discussions, and I could see that under Malaysia’s chairmanship, there will be a lot of economic progress,” he told a press conference after attending the 31st AEM Retreat in Desaru yesterday.
Kao said the Digital Economy Framework Agreement, the Asean Trade in Goods Agreement, and the Asean-India Free Trade Agreement were among the key economic initiatives discussed at the retreat.
There was also a discussion on an initiative led by Indonesia, the Asean-Gulf Cooperation Council Plus China Summit, which has received consensus from all 10 Asean members.
“All of these are very concrete, very strategic initiatives that have been proposed, discussed, and agreed upon by member states,” he said.
Kao unveiled that the 31st AEM Retreat marked his third retreat since assuming the position in January 2023.
On Asean’s economic trajectory, Kao said the regional bloc has maintained strong momentum since the beginning of the year.
“We are only in February, but I think the momentum has been maintained. Under Malaysia’s chairmanship, we will be able to include all these initiatives into concrete outcomes,” he said.
The 31st AEM Retreat held in Desaru today was chaired by Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, with related meetings held from February 22 to 27.
The retreat is in conjunction with Malaysia’s Asean chairmanship in 2025, themed “Inclusivity and Sustainability”, to reflect Malaysia’s aspirations in strengthening an inclusive and sustainable Asean community.
— Bernama
