The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has marked the 59th anniversary of its founding. The group, established on 8 August 1967 by five member states, now comprises 11 countries with a combined population of around 700 million people. The Philippines, which holds the chairmanship in 2026, is marking the year under the motto ‘Navigating Our Future, Together’, with a focus on strengthening security, expanding economic corridors and promoting integration, reports the news agency Orient.

The celebrations coincided with the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, signed in Bali in 1976. The principles of mutual respect for sovereignty, non-interference in internal affairs and the peaceful settlement of disputes have transformed the treaty from a regional document into an international platform for dialogue.

Malaysia has traditionally regarded ASEAN as the cornerstone of its foreign policy. The culmination of Malaysia’s recent chairmanship of the organisation was the adoption of the Kuala Lumpur Declaration ‘ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future’, which set out the framework for the bloc’s development up to 2045. In the economic sphere, ASEAN aims to become one of the world’s four largest economies by 2030; this is set to be facilitated by the conclusion of negotiations on the Framework Agreement on the Digital Economy, which is scheduled to be signed at the end of 2026.

Speaking at a ceremony in Putrajaya, Malaysia’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Dato’ Seri Mohamad Hasan, emphasised that, amidst competition between major powers, ASEAN must maintain its central role and autonomy.

The Malaysian Embassy in Ashgabat remains the only permanent diplomatic mission of an ASEAN member state in Turkmenistan. The diplomatic mission serves as a channel for communication and information on the bloc’s opportunities for Turkmenistan’s government bodies, business circles and academic communities. The Malaysian diplomatic mission notes Turkmenistan’s growing interest in developing ties with South-East Asia, highlighting trade and investment, transport infrastructure, energy, education, tourism, digitalisation and cultural and humanitarian exchanges as promising areas for cooperation. Deepening this dialogue is intended to build lasting bridges between Central and South-East Asia.