Carlyle A. Thayer said that in January this year, the Press Statement after the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat identified the following priorities set by Malaysia as ASEAN Chair for 2025: “advancing ASEAN’s collective vision of a resilient, people-centred, forward looking ASEAN Community while advancing economic growth and regional connectivity, and enhancing regional resilience.”

The 15th Coordinating Conference for the ASEAN Political-Security Community (ASCCO) took place on March 15 via videoconference.

ASEAN Foreign Ministers reiterated the grouping’s resolve to resume negotiations on the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) with China, during the 22nd ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Council Meeting held online on November 10.

The 11th Coordinating Conference for the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) took place at the ASEAN Secretariat’s headquarters in Jakarta on March 5 to review the implementation of the APSC Blueprint 2025.

The ASEAN Political-Security Community Council (APSC) and the ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC) convened their meetings in Singapore on November 13 to review the grouping’s cooperation, and complete reports and documents to be submitted to the leaders.

The 10th Coordinating Conference for the ASEAN Political-Security Community (ASCCO) took place in Indonesia’s capital city of Jakarta on March 22.

The ASEAN Community, which is set to be formed at the year’s end, is considered the highest model of regional cooperation for the 10 member countries.