Malaysia has officially initiated its ASEAN Chairmanship for 2025 by hosting the ASEAN Senior Economic Officials’ Retreat (SEOM Retreat), organized by the Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry (MITI) in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah,Malaysia.

Mastura Ahmad Mustafa, MITI’s Deputy Secretary-General (Trade), highlighted that the two-day event, which commenced on December 4, 2024, serves as a crucial foundation for Malaysia’s leadership role in ASEAN.

"Every year, when a country assumes the ASEAN chairmanship, it organises the SEOM Retreat in December, ahead of its chairmanship year”. The purpose of the SEOM Retreat is to outline what will be implemented during our chairmanship year.

"Today (Wednesday 4 December 2024), in Kota Kinabalu, we are hosting the SEOM Retreat 2025 under the economic pillar. We have presented our plans, specifically the economic outcomes for Malaysia's chairmanship next year," she told the reporters after the welcoming dinner for SEOM delegates.

During the retreat, Malaysia presented its plans for its chairmanship year, focusing on key economic priorities and objectives.

To date, 18 Priority Economic Deliverables (PEDs) have been introduced during the SEOM Retreat. These PEDs are currently under consultation and review by ASEAN Member States, with the goal of being finalized and adopted at the ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Retreat (AEMR), scheduled for late February 2025. The PEDs are categorized into four strategic thrusts:

1. Enhancing Trade and Investment.
2. Creating an Inclusive and Sustainable Pathway.
3. Promoting Integration and Connectivity of Economies.
4. Building a Digitally Resilient ASEAN.

Looking beyond 2025, she noted plans for the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, as the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Blueprint 2025 concludes next year.

"This time, the vision will span 20 years. However, we acknowledge that 20 years is a long period, especially considering the rapid pace of economic and technological developments.

"Therefore, the economic pillar has decided to implement strategic plans in five-year phases.

"For the coming year, we will produce the 2026-2030 Strategic Plan to be implemented over five years, aligning with the Asean Community Vision 2045."

Under Malaysia's chairmanship, the economic pillar will host three official SEOM meetings.

The first will take place in January in Kuching, followed by the second in April in Penang, and the last in July.

Additionally, the ASEAN Economic Ministers' (AEM) Retreat will be held in Desaru, Johor, at the end of February, with the formal AEM Meeting scheduled for September in Kuala Lumpur.

Overall, Malaysia's preparations for its ASEAN 2025 Chairmanship in the economic pillar have demonstrated its commitment to driving regional economic growth and strengthening ASEAN's position on the global economic stage during its leadership year.