Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship 2025 marked a year of strong coordination and regional leadership, with more than 20 meetings and over 140 programmes delivered across 15 sectoral bodies under the ASEAN Socio‑Cultural Community (ASCC) pillar. The Chairmanship emphasised quality over quantity, prioritising meaningful outcomes, wide stakeholder engagement, and a whole‑of‑government approach to ensure that communities, civil society, and local sectors benefitted from ASEAN initiatives. Malaysia also collaborated closely with the ASEAN Secretariat to align national priorities with the region’s long‑term trajectory, reinforcing unity and cooperation across member states.

The Chairmanship’s preparations began early in 2024, following extensive consultations, the development of priority narratives, and the launch of the official theme and logo in October 2024. Guided by the theme of Inclusivity and Sustainability, Malaysia delivered key achievements that strengthened regional mechanisms, advanced strategic planning, and deepened people‑to‑people engagement. The year also showcased Malaysia’s cultural diversity and bo

osted public awareness of ASEAN at the community level.

Japan’s long‑standing partnership with ASEAN—supported through mechanisms such as the Japan‑ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF)—continues to play a crucial role in enhancing ASEAN cooperation, capacity building, and institutional strengthening. These contributions support regional initiatives, including those advanced during Malaysia’s 2025 Chairmanship, and reinforce ASEAN’s efforts toward an inclusive, sustainable, and interconnected community.