KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 27 — United Nations secretary-general António Guterres called Asean a “beacon of cooperation” and a “fundamental pillar” of a multipolar world, praising the bloc’s decades-long role in promoting stability and partnership.
Speaking at the 15th Asean-UN Summit, Guterres said the bloc has stood for nearly six decades as a model of regional collaboration, with Timor-Leste’s recent accession proof of that spirit.
“Southeast Asia stands at the vanguard of a changing world. For nearly six decades, Asean has stood as a beacon of cooperation, and with Timor-Leste’s accession, that spirit grows stronger,” he said here today.
Guterres outlined four key cooperation areas — peace and prevention, sustainable development and financial justice, climate action, and digital transformation.
He also took a swipe at global financial institutions for their inadequate commitment to the Global South and pressed for reforms that better reflect developing nations’ growing role.
“Global financial institutions must represent today’s world with far greater participation of developing countries,” he said.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who chaired the summit, commended Guterres for his unwavering defence of multilateralism and outspoken stance on humanitarian issues.
“We are glad not only for your presence, but your voice of conscience, your courage and consistency in defending the spirit of multilateral arrangements and respecting the rights of countries and minorities.”
He said Guterres’ moral clarity was most evident in his condemnation of atrocities in Gaza.
“We admire your tenacity and courage on intractable cases like Gaza. You have been very consistent; the voice of reason and conscience,” Anwar added.
The Asean-UN Summit was held under the auspices of the 47th Asean Summit, which runs until tomorrow at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
Malaysia is current Asean chair, with the Philippines to take over from January 1.
