ASEAN has never been static. Since its foundation in 1967 via the Bangkok Declaration, our regional grouping has been through several reinventions.

ASEAN’s first three reinventions

The First Reinvention, circa 1976 was, expectedly, on regional security, given the on-going Cold War then.

The grouping successfully maintained peace and stability for most of the region through frameworks like the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (1976) and the Declaration of ASEAN Concord (1976).

Interestingly, the very first ASEAN Summit only took place nine years after ASEAN’s establishment, in February 1976, in Bali, Indonesia.

ASEAN’s Second Reinvention occurred in the 1990’s, where, post-Cold War, it focused on integration. Besides the accessions of Vietnam (1995), Laos and Myanmar (1997), and Cambodia (1999), the major development in this period was the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA), the groundwater for the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC).

Notably, both the AEC and the ASEAN Community mark their 10th anniversary this year.

This Second Reinvention period also ‘mothered’ the ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) Retreat, whose 31st edition will be hosted by MITI in Desaru, Johor, on 27-28 February 2025.

The AEM’s scope has evolved from reducing tariffs and trade barriers to other major economic undertakings like advancing the AEC and digital integration.

At this upcoming AEM Retreat, Malaysia looks forward to presenting the 18 Priority Economic Deliverables (PEDs) to drive regional economic integration, inclusivity, sustainability and digital trade under ASEAN’s Economic Pillar.

The Third Reinvention came in 2007, when we adopted the ASEAN Charter, the legal basis for the establishment of the ASEAN Community in 2015.

There was a growing recognition that ASEAN was more potent as a bloc, whose value is more than the sum of its parts, akin to the European Union (EU).

While our circumstances are different from the EU’s, the common theme for more integration was never in doubt.

This lengthy historical discourse is to show that ASEAN has evolved with the times, identifying challenges and responding appropriately on the regional international order and intra-regional relations.

Why a fourth reinvention matters

In 2025, my take is that ASEAN is on the cusp of a Fourth Reinvention.

Among the region’s current challenges is navigating the US-China rivalry, particularly over international trade/supply chains and the South China Sea.

Additionally, there is the continuing quest to make ASEAN relevant for ordinary Southeast Asians in an increasingly uncertain world.

Globally, incidents like the brief TikTok ban may unfortunately be the norm moving forward.

The sudden rise of DeepSeek-R1 shows that the West’s technological advantage may have a shelf life, reinforcing the fact that this is a space Malaysia and ASEAN must be in if we want to progress digitally.

For ASEAN to maintain its centrality as a driving force in the regional security architecture, Malaysia, as the 2025 Chair should engineer the Fourth Reinvention, although its final shape must, of course, be the consensus of all member states.

Malaysia laying the groundwork

I would argue that Malaysia’s 2025 ASEAN agenda is laying the groundwork for the region’s next reinvention.

To cite just MITI’s end of things, the beefing up of the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) that we are pursuing will boost intra-regional trade, which is a very effective, necessary hedge against the on-going global trade wars.

Meanwhile, the completion of the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) is not only about enhancing regional e-commerce but strengthening cybersecurity and data governance through common standards and principles.

This is crucial to not only enshrine the credibility of our region’s online economy but also protect its populace.

Progress on the ASEAN Power Grid, plus the stronger regional cooperation on electric vehicles (EV) and semiconductors that we are seeking will ensure Southeast Asia becomes a hub for these crucial future economic activities.

The upcoming ASEAN-GCC Summit and several of our members joining the BRICS reinforce our region’s willingness to not only engage across the political/geographical spectrum, but indeed, to diversify our economic relations.

We are also planning to unveil the ASEAN Community Vision (ACV) 2045, which is meant to succeed the current ASEAN Vision 2025.

The ACV 2045 is a longer, 20-year undertaking containing several strategic plans touching on political security, economy, socio-culture and connectivity.

The ACV will provide the building blocks for the region’s future – and perhaps prepare it for its Fifth Reinvention.

In short, ASEAN’s Fourth Reinvention ought to focus on deepening regional integration, preparing its economies for technological shifts, while maintaining strategic autonomy, and ensuring its relevance to its people.

I see this as totally compatible with our 2025 tagline of “Inclusivity and Sustainability”.

ASEAN must be strategic

This approach may take time to be accepted by all ASEAN Member States (AMS), but it goes to show that Southeast Asia matters.

Perhaps, this is also why so many people have their own visions for what it should do. This debate should be welcomed.

Still, for all the criticism of the body through the years, it says a lot that ASEAN has continued to grow.

And rather than see our expansion as a threat or provocation, most major powers are eager to engage with us.

Maybe this means that, like running, there’s something to be said for working at one’s own time and pace.

ASEAN has never let itself be forced into making zero-sum choices, whether politically or economically, no matter how loud or pressing either extreme may be.

We must be what is in Southeast Asia’s best interests – not what others want.

I am confident that if we focus on the essentials, as laid out by our PEDs, while never losing sight of what ASEAN Centrality really is about, the Fourth Reinvention, whatever shape it takes, will keep our region open, free and prosperous, thriving and contributing positively to the global order.

(Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz is the Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Malaysia.)