OPENING REMARKS Y.B. DATO’ SERI UTAMA HAJI MOHAMAD BIN HAJI HASAN MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, MALAYSIA 30TH ASEAN POLITICAL-SECURITY COMMUNITY (APSC) COUNCIL MEETING 25[...]

OPENING REMARKS

Y.B. DATO' SERI UTAMA HAJI MOHAMAD BIN HAJI HASAN

MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, MALAYSIA

30TH ASEAN POLITICAL-SECURITY COMMUNITY (APSC) COUNCIL MEETING

25 OCTOBER 2025

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Distinguished Colleagues,

1. Welcome to the 30th ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Council Meeting.

2. Today, we review developments in the Sectoral Bodies under APSC, and finalise the End-Term Review Report of the APSC Blueprint 2025.

3. The insights from this report will be invaluable, as we transition from the APSC Blueprint 2025, to realising the new APSC Strategic Plan of the Community Vision 2025 - also known as ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future.

4. Under the APSC Strategic Plan 2045, we have identified action lines to consolidate legal systems, judicial foundations, and security cooperation. This will indeed help improve the safety and security of our citizens.

5. During Malaysia's Chairmanship, ASEAN has bolstered efforts to:

a. enhance trust among our security apparatus,

b. strengthen cooperation against transnational crimes,

c. advance the rule of law,

d. and ensure that human rights remain central, to ASEAN's community-building.

6. These are important manifestations, of our shared commitment to advancing the APSC's goals, and strengthening ASEAN's rules-based Community of shared values and norms.

7. Thus, ensuring that our region remains peaceful, stable, resilient, and future-ready.

8. In strengthening law enforcement cooperation, ASEAN took innovative steps, to counter the nexus of transnational crime, money laundering, and sophisticated cyber-enabled crimes, including online scams.

9. At Malaysia's initiative, the SOMTC Working Group on Money Laundering was established.

10. Progress in the defence sector has been equally significant, with the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting and ADMM-Plus, conducting numerous exercises and new initiatives in cyber, maritime, and health security.

11. In addition, the ASEAN Defence Ministers have committed to cooperate, in the field of Artificial Intelligence in the defence sector: Namely, raising awareness on the implications of AI in the defence sector, as well as the need to ensure, the responsible application of A.I. in the military domain.

12. On human rights, the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), championed issues such as the right to a safe, clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, and right to peace.

13. AICHR also advanced the ASEAN Guideline on the Implementation, of the Non-Punishment Principle, for Protection of Victims of Trafficking in Persons, as a collective step to address injustices among victims of trafficking.

14. It reaffirms ASEAN's collective commitment to upholding human dignity, ensuring justice and protection for victims, and aligning regional practices with international human rights, and anti-trafficking standards.

15. Under the legal scope, the ASEAN Law Ministers committed to promoting arbitration, and mediation mechanisms, aligned with international standards to support regional economic integration.

16. Meanwhile, the long-awaited ASEAN Extradition Treaty is also at its final stage of completion, and is expected to be signed next month.

17. The recent establishment of the ASEAN Prosecutors/Attorneys-General Meeting (APAGM), will further strengthen regional collaboration and coordination, in prosecution and the fight against transnational crimes.

Colleagues,

18. As we confront an increasingly complex security environment, Malaysia remains deeply concerned over the far-reaching implications.

19. The complex security-related issues deeply affect the fabric of our societies, the safety of our citizens, and pose a direct threat to our economic resilience and national security.

20. This reminds us of the need to strengthen cooperation, coordination, and regional efforts to counter transnational crime.

21. It also underscores the importance of adaptability, in addressing the challenges of this ever-evolving, global security landscape.

22. Such an environment, marked by geopolitical and geoeconomic competition, economic uncertainty, and transnational threats, highlights the need for ASEAN to stay united, consistent, and forward-looking.

23. Strengthening our mechanism of cooperation across defence, law enforcement, and legal institutions, will be critical to safeguarding regional peace and stability.

Colleagues,

24. Looking ahead, the APSC Strategic Plan will serve as our compass for the coming decades.

25. Anchored in the values of peace, resilience, inclusivity, sustainability, and people-centred growth, it will guide us in building a Community that is cohesive, responsive, and future-ready.

26. As Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship draws to a close, Malaysia remains steadfast in its commitment, to work closely with all Member States and our partners, to carry forward this shared endeavour.

27. With unity of purpose, I am confident that ASEAN will continue to serve as a lasting force for peace, stability, and shared prosperity, both within our region and beyond.

Thank you.