By Maybelene Marcelino
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has recently adopted a regional long-term vision document titled “ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future”, which outlines key strategies aimed at creating a more resilient, innovative and people-centered community.
A blueprint for new ASEAN
Signed on May 26 by leaders from all ten ASEAN member states during the 46th ASEAN Summit, the document, dubbed as the “Kuala Lumpur Declaration”, builds upon previous agreements and sets ambitious goals for the coming decades.
It replaces the ASEAN 2025: Forging Ahead Together, adopted in 2015 under Malaysia’s chairmanship.
The declaration envisions a developed ASEAN as the epicenter of growth in the Indo-Pacific region, leveraging regional cooperation and innovation to drive sustainable development.
In his remarks following the signing of the declaration, Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim acknowledged the complexity of regional and global challenges, asserting that the document would pave the way for the organisation’s future direction.
He said the document’s primary goal is to draw up collective, efficient and innovative responses to future shocks by actively identifying the opportunities presented by megatrends and their impact on the lives of ASEAN citizens.
“The future we seek must rest on foundations of sustainability and inclusion.”
“ASEAN’s integration must be genuinely people-centered.”
“That means closing development gaps, raising standards of living and investing in the human spirit and potential of all our citizens,” he said.
“This shared blueprint gives shape to that belief.”
“It is a vision anchored in realism, animated by resolve and made possible by trust,” he added.
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Key pillars of ASEAN Community Vision 2045
At its core, the Kuala Lumpur Declaration reaffirms the bloc’s steadfast commitment to upholding shared principles, purposes, values, and norms enshrined in the ASEAN Charter, the United Nations Charter and other relevant international instruments.
The document calls for the implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision in a timely and effective manner, ensuring seamless coordination across pillars and sectors of the identified cross-pillar and cross-sectoral strategic measures.
The vision encompasses six major documents, including strategic plans for each ASEAN pillar: Political Security, Economic, Socio-cultural and Connectivity.
It seeks to promote peace, stability, and adherence to international law; enhancing ASEAN’s regional role; and safeguarding neutrality and security.
It also positions ASEAN as the world’s fourth-largest economy by advancing innovation, digital transformation, stronger supply chains and sustainable growth.
Furthermore, the document underscores the importance of fostering a cohesive and inclusive community grounded in shared identity while championing health, social justice, gender equality, youth empowerment and cultural preservation.
Lastly, it promotes greater infrastructure and digital connectivity, strengthening urban resilience and enhancing ASEAN institutions for more effective governance.
In total, it sets out 33 strategic goals and 531 concrete measures.
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Newsjustnews writers 
Geoffrey H. Latayan