Addressing a joint summit between the UN and Southeast Asian countries in Kuala Lumpur on Monday, Secretary-General António Guterres described the region as “a beacon of cooperation” and a key pillar of global stability.
With Timor-Leste’s membership, he said, the collective spirit of the regional organization known as ASEAN has “strengthened”, making the bloc a critical partner in shaping “a more balanced and interconnected world”.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations now has 11 full members, alongside partners such as China, India, the European Union, Russia and Australia.
The UN, for its part, has a global partnership framework with the bloc as well as joint action plans.
Peace, Myanmar and regional stability
Mr. Guterres highlighted four areas where collaboration should be deepened: peace and prevention; sustainable development and financial justice; climate action and digital transformation.
He commended ASEAN countries for their strong contributions to peacekeeping and regional mediation efforts.
The UN chief praised Malaysia for helping facilitate a ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand, and reiterated the importance of dialogue and restraint in the South China Sea to uphold international law and freedom of navigation.
Turning towards BurmaThe Secretary-General condemned the continuing violence, calling the humanitarian situation “appalling”.
“Thousands of people have died. Millions of people have been displaced. Humanitarian needs are growing,” he said, calling for an immediate end to hostilities, the protection of civilians and “the release of those arbitrarily detained, including democratically elected leaders.”
He reaffirmed UN support for the 2021 ASEAN Five-Point Consensus to resolve the protracted conflict in post-coup Myanmar – and the Security Council resolution demanding a ceasefire that same year.
A fairer financial system
The Secretary-General also made a strong call for an overhaul of what he described as an “outdated and unfair” global financial architecture that leaves developing countries “excluded from prosperity.”
“It is high time for reforms,” he said, highlighting that ASEAN economies remain underrepresented in global financial institutions despite their growing economic weight.
The goal of climate change “on life support”
In his opening speechThe Secretary-General has warned that the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels “is on life support”, urging developed and developing countries to increase their climate ambitions ahead of COP30 in Brazil next month.
On digital transformation, he highlighted the UN’s commitment to ensuring that artificial intelligence serves humanity.
Standing together
To a press conference After the summit, Mr. Guterres said ASEAN “offers a vision of hope” amid global uncertainty.
“The United Nations is proud to be ASEAN’s partner,” he said, “as we work to secure a better and more peaceful future for the people of the Southeast Asian region and around the world.”
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
