Opening Remarks, Trilateral Meeting between Malaysia, Norway and the ASEAN Secretariat, 8 July 2025

Opening Remarks,

Trilateral Meeting between
Malaysia, Norway and the ASEAN Secretariat,

8 July 2025

His Excellency Andreas Motzfeldt Kravik

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway

Her Excellency Dato' Astanah Abdul Aziz,

Deputy Secretary General of ASEAN,

1. On behalf of Malaysia, I am pleased to welcome you and your delegations to Kuala Lumpur for this Trilateral Meeting with Norway.

2. This year marks an important milestone - the 10th anniversary of the ASEAN-Norway Sectoral Dialogue Partnership. We have made commendable progress through the current Practical Cooperation Areas (PCA) 2021-2025. Malaysia welcomes efforts to develop a robust and forward-looking Practical Cooperation Areas for 2026-2030.

3. Malaysia's priorities as Chair of ASEAN include promoting peace and stability, expanding ASEAN's economic partnership beyond the region and advancing efforts on climate change. These priorities are underpinned by the Chairmanship theme of Inclusivity and Sustainability.

4. We believe that Norway could contribute significantly to these efforts through its initiatives related to peacebuilding. In this context, we appreciate Norway's principled approach to upholding international law and multilateralism. We believe ASEAN-Norway collaboration can contribute meaningfully to regional and global peace and stability, including support for peacebuilding efforts through ASEAN-led mechanisms.

5. Moreover, we appreciate Norway's engagement towards advancing ASEAN's climate transition, sustainable ocean governance, and waste management in areas where Norwegian expertise is both relevant and impactful. We also welcome growing interest in enhancing cooperation in digital innovation as well as trade and private sector engagement.

6. Malaysia remains committed to strengthening ASEAN's external relations, including with Norway. We look forward to continuing our constructive cooperation in advancing a forward-looking ASEAN-Norway cooperations in the years ahead.

Thank you.