KUALA LUMPUR — Asean must bolster its food, energy, and digital security while building stronger institutions to anticipate and mitigate geopolitical and economic shocks before they escalate into crises, Investment, Trade, and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz said today.
Speaking at the Asean Joint Foreign and Economic Ministers’ Meeting — the first in more than two decades — Tengku Zafrul urged the 10-member bloc to protect regional stability by securing access to critical goods, energy, and technologies while reducing overdependence on any single market or production source.
“While some equate economic security with isolation or protectionism — a path regrettably pursued by several major powers — Asean’s approach should focus on remaining open yet secure,” he said, Bernama reported.
As one of the world’s most influential regional blocs, Tengku Zafrul said Asean must remain committed to a rules-based multilateral trading system that supports global stability and shared prosperity.
He added that Asean should push for targeted reforms at the World Trade Organisation (WTO), including greater subsidy transparency, digital trade governance, and the restoration of trust in dispute settlement mechanisms — all vital steps to rebuild confidence in global trade rules.
“In parallel, it is timely for the region to strengthen its regional economic security to enhance its ability to anticipate, manage, and respond to emerging risks across both economic and political spheres,” he said.
Tengku Zafrul also highlighted the importance of the newly established Asean Geoeconomics Task Force (AGTF), expressing hope that it would provide valuable insights to help chart the region’s future amid shifting global power dynamics. — October 25, 2025