The 47th ASEAN Summit took place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from October 26–28, 2025, under the theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability.”
Host and Theme
Malaysia chaired the summit, with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim leading the proceedings. The theme emphasized inclusive growth and sustainable development, reflecting regional priorities amid global economic and geopolitical shifts. The summit included: ASEAN Plus One Summits with seven dialogue partners: Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Russia, and the United States. Also included were the ASEAN Plus Three Summit, the East Asia Summit, the ASEAN-UN Summit, and the ASEAN-New Zealand Commemorative Summit, marking 50 years of dialogue.
Notable attendees included:
- US President Donald Trump
- Chinese President Xi Jinping
- Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio
Key Issues Discussed
- South China Sea disputes and maritime tensions were central, with calls for peaceful resolution and respect for international law.
- Myanmar’s internal conflict remained a concern, though concrete resolutions were elusive.
- Trade and economic cooperation were highlighted, especially in light of the rise of protectionism and mini-lateral alliances.
Chairmanship Transition
At the summit’s closing, Malaysia handed over the ASEAN chairmanship to the Philippines, with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. emphasizing the need for cooperation without coercion.
Following the summit, the 12th ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) was held in Kuala Lumpur, focusing on regional security and defense collaboration. India’s Defense Minister Rajnath Singh addressed the forum and participated in the ASEAN-India Defense Ministers’ Informal Meeting, reinforcing ties under India’s “Act East Policy”.
