Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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October 27, 2025 Economic development
At the 15th ASEAN-UN Summit in Kuala Lumpur on Monday, the UN Secretary-General delivered a keynote speech emphasizing the strategic importance of the partnership between the UN and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. He called ASEAN a "beacon of cooperation" and noted that the spirit of regional unity has become even stronger with the accession of Timor-Leste.
The UN chief identified four key areas of cooperation: peace and conflict prevention, sustainable development and financial justice, climate action, and digital transformation and cybersecurity.
Peace and conflict prevention
The Secretary-General thanked ASEAN countries for their active participation in UN peacekeeping missions and particularly noted Malaysia's role in facilitating a ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand. He called for respect for international law in the South China Sea and expressed deep concern about the situation in Myanmar, where fighting continues, lives are being lost, millions are being displaced, and humanitarian needs are rapidly growing.
“I strongly condemn the bloodshed and call on all parties to cease hostilities, protect civilians, ensure unimpeded humanitarian access and begin an inclusive political process,” he said, stressing the need to release those arbitrarily detained, including democratically elected leaders.
Financial justice and sustainable development
The UN Secretary-General drew attention to growing inequality and the debt burden that is "suffocating" developing countries. Guterres called for urgent reform of the global financial architecture to ensure that international financial institutions reflect modern realities and ensure greater participation by developing countries, including ASEAN countries, which, he said, are "grossly underrepresented."
Climate action
Ahead of the COP30 climate conference in Brazil, the UN chief called on countries to submit ambitious nationally recognized contributions to reduce emissions and accelerate the transition to renewable energy. He noted that ASEAN countries are facing floods, droughts, rising sea levels, and smog, which threaten food security, health, and the region's economy.
Digital transformation and the fight against cybercrime
The Secretary-General called artificial intelligence "a powerful tool for inclusive development." In this regard, he recalled the launch of two UN initiatives: the International Science Panel on AI and the annual Global Dialogue on AI Governance, which aim to bring together science, policy, and practice, giving every country a voice.
The UN chief stressed the need to combat transnational organized crime, including cyber fraud, assuring that the UN Office on Drugs and Crime will continue to support countries in the region.
In closing his speech, Guterres called on forum participants to continue to demonstrate through their actions that cooperation is the most powerful engine of peace and progress, both in Southeast Asia and throughout the world.
“The UN is proud to be your partner,” the Secretary-General said.
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