Latest news with #47thASEANSummit
The Sun
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
ASEAN Education Ministers agree on Langkawi Joint Statement on overcoming school dropouts
LANGKAWI: The Langkawi Joint Statement on Out-of-School Children and Youth (OOSCY) has been agreed by ASEAN Education Ministers as a framework to address the challenges of access to education. Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the key content of the document entitled 'Accelerating Innovative Strategies: Addressing the OOSCY Challenges' will be further refined in a seminar ahead of the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur this October. 'We have gone through a long process to reach a consensus on this commitment. Thankfully, no amendments were made and national leaders have given their respective views on how ASEAN can act as a united community to implement interventions and address this issue seriously. 'Malaysia will translate this commitment through the organisation of a seminar in October, and we hope that it can be changed to action after being agreed upon by all Education Ministers as a joint commitment,' she said at a press conference after the ASEAN Education Ministers and Higher Education Ministers Roundtable (#EduRoundtables2025) here today. Fadhlina also stressed that the issue of student dropout as well as the level of numeracy and literacy are closely linked to poverty and must be given serious attention. In Malaysia, for example, she said several interventions have been implemented, including leading the issue of foundational learning through expanding access to preschool education, establishing a special committee to strengthen the curriculum, and examining the need for digital technology reforms, including classrooms powered by artificial intelligence. Langkawi's Joint Statement on OOSCY acknowledges that crises and challenges in the ASEAN region including climate change, conflict situations, deepening poverty, income inequality and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have exacerbated the inequality gap in education. 'We emphasise the urgent need to address educational disparities to ensure inclusive, accessible and high-quality education for OOSCY as underscored in the ASEAN Declaration on Strengthening Education for OOSCY, adopted in 2016. 'We underscore the necessity for ASEAN Member States to accelerate the implementation of innovative, targeted, and meaningful strategies within and across ASEAN to reduce the number of OOSCY within and across ASEAN states. 'We hereby call upon ASEAN Member States, in collaboration with development partners, civil society, and the private sector, to accelerate the adoption of innovative, technology-enabled and inclusive education strategies that ensure equitable learning opportunities for OOSCY, thereby fostering a resilient and future-ready ASEAN Community,' the document said. Among the strategies highlighted to address OOSCY issues include Technology-Enabled Learning Solutions, AI-powered predictive analytics and data utilisation, capacity-building programmes, Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), collaboration with NGOs and civil society organisations. Other strategies are Alternative and Flexible Learning Pathways, Crisis-Responsive Education Policies, Inclusive Education Initiatives, Skills Development and Workforce Readiness, and Cross-Border Collaboration and Data-Driven Decision-Making. This year marks the fifth time Malaysia has served as ASEAN Chairman, having held the position in 1977, 1997, 2005 and 2015.
Barnama
2 days ago
- Politics
- Barnama
ASEAN Education Ministers Agree On Langkawi Joint Statement On Overcoming School Dropouts
Minister of Education Fadhlina Sidek on a press conference aftet the ASEAN Ministers of Education and Higher Education Roundtables and Events here today. -- fotoBERNAMA (2025) COPYRIGHT RESERVED LANGKAWI, June 19 (Bernama) — The Langkawi Joint Statement on Out-of-School Children and Youth (OOSCY) has been agreed by ASEAN Education Ministers as a framework to address the challenges of access to education. Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the key content of the document entitled "Accelerating Innovative Strategies: Addressing the OOSCY Challenges" will be further refined in a seminar ahead of the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur this October. 'We have gone through a long process to reach a consensus on this commitment. Thankfully, no amendments were made and national leaders have given their respective views on how ASEAN can act as a united community to implement interventions and address this issue seriously. 'Malaysia will translate this commitment through the organisation of a seminar in October, and we hope that it can be changed to action after being agreed upon by all Education Ministers as a joint commitment,' she said at a press conference after the ASEAN Education Ministers and Higher Education Ministers Roundtable (#EduRoundtables2025) here today. Fadhlina also stressed that the issue of student dropout as well as the level of numeracy and literacy are closely linked to poverty and must be given serious attention. In Malaysia, for example, she said several interventions have been implemented, including leading the issue of foundational learning through expanding access to preschool education, establishing a special committee to strengthen the curriculum, and examining the need for digital technology reforms, including classrooms powered by artificial intelligence. Langkawi's Joint Statement on OOSCY acknowledges that crises and challenges in the ASEAN region including climate change, conflict situations, deepening poverty, income inequality and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have exacerbated the inequality gap in education. "We emphasise the urgent need to address educational disparities to ensure inclusive, accessible and high-quality education for OOSCY as underscored in the ASEAN Declaration on Strengthening Education for OOSCY, adopted in 2016. "We underscore the necessity for ASEAN Member States to accelerate the implementation of innovative, targeted, and meaningful strategies within and across ASEAN to reduce the number of OOSCY within and across ASEAN states.
The Sun
30-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
ASEAN to adopt KL Declaration on social media use in October
TOKYO: The Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the Safe and Responsible Use of Social Media Platforms for ASEAN will be formally adopted during the upcoming 47th ASEAN Summit in October 2025, said Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. He said the declaration was initiated and led by Malaysia and endorsed at the recent 17th Conference of the ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Information (AMRI) on May 7. 'Through this declaration, ASEAN further strengthens its collective efforts to promote responsible online behaviour among its citizens and to build a people-centred, digitally resilient community,' he said in his ministerial statement at the 2025 Asia-Pacific Telecommunity Ministerial Meeting (APT-MM) here today. Fahmi also noted that Malaysia is exploring the establishment of an ASEAN Toolkit for Online Safety, which aims to bring together practical resources and best practices from ASEAN member states to address online safety challenges unique to each country. 'It will serve as a guiding document for sharing knowledge and experiences, enabling member states to learn from one another and strengthen regional efforts to combat fake news, misinformation, disinformation, and mal-information, all of which contribute to online harms and exploitation across the region,' he said. Fahmi also highlighted that to promote accountability among online platforms, Malaysia has introduced a Regulatory Framework for Internet Messaging Service and social media service providers, requiring service providers with eight million or more users in Malaysia to apply for Application Service Provider (ASP) Class Licence under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. This policy, effective since January 2025, ensures that major platforms comply with our laws and take greater responsibility for managing harmful content, he said. In the meantime, the minister reaffirmed Malaysia's commitment to ensuring universal access, technological equity, and environmental sustainability in the digital domain. 'Malaysia remains fully committed to working with our regional partners to build a secure, inclusive, and trusted digital environment. 'Through cooperation, mutual trust, and ongoing capacity-building' we can ensure no one is left behind in the digital age,' he added. Additionally, Fahmi also called for the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT) to consider conducting a senior official working level workshop annually to help understand the respective challenges faced by its member states. 'In order for us to come up with similar strategies and perhaps corresponding legislative advancements, that will change the way we can confront these challenges together,' he added. APT is an intergovernmental organisation established in 1979 under the cooperation between the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Themed 'Harnessing Emerging Technologies for Sustainable, Inclusive and Equitable Digital Transformation in the Asia-Pacific', this year's APT-MM was attended by 31 member states together with 19 affiliate members comprising Asia Pacific's government agencies, regulators and private entities. The meeting is set to launch the Tokyo Statement 2025 on Saturday, which emphasises six priorities, namely digital relations, digital innovation and entrepreneurship, trust and security, digital inclusivity and capacity development, sustainability, as well as regional and international cooperation.
The Sun
30-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
ASEAN to adopt KL Declaration on safe and responsible use of social media this October
TOKYO: The Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the Safe and Responsible Use of Social Media Platforms for ASEAN will be formally adopted during the upcoming 47th ASEAN Summit in October 2025, said Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. He said the declaration was initiated and led by Malaysia and endorsed at the recent 17th Conference of the ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Information (AMRI) on May 7. 'Through this declaration, ASEAN further strengthens its collective efforts to promote responsible online behaviour among its citizens and to build a people-centred, digitally resilient community,' he said in his ministerial statement at the 2025 Asia-Pacific Telecommunity Ministerial Meeting (APT-MM) here today. Fahmi also noted that Malaysia is exploring the establishment of an ASEAN Toolkit for Online Safety, which aims to bring together practical resources and best practices from ASEAN member states to address online safety challenges unique to each country. 'It will serve as a guiding document for sharing knowledge and experiences, enabling member states to learn from one another and strengthen regional efforts to combat fake news, misinformation, disinformation, and mal-information, all of which contribute to online harms and exploitation across the region,' he said. Fahmi also highlighted that to promote accountability among online platforms, Malaysia has introduced a Regulatory Framework for Internet Messaging Service and social media service providers, requiring service providers with eight million or more users in Malaysia to apply for Application Service Provider (ASP) Class Licence under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. This policy, effective since January 2025, ensures that major platforms comply with our laws and take greater responsibility for managing harmful content, he said. In the meantime, the minister reaffirmed Malaysia's commitment to ensuring universal access, technological equity, and environmental sustainability in the digital domain. 'Malaysia remains fully committed to working with our regional partners to build a secure, inclusive, and trusted digital environment. 'Through cooperation, mutual trust, and ongoing capacity-building' we can ensure no one is left behind in the digital age,' he added. Additionally, Fahmi also called for the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT) to consider conducting a senior official working level workshop annually to help understand the respective challenges faced by its member states. 'In order for us to come up with similar strategies and perhaps corresponding legislative advancements, that will change the way we can confront these challenges together,' he added. APT is an intergovernmental organisation established in 1979 under the cooperation between the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Themed 'Harnessing Emerging Technologies for Sustainable, Inclusive and Equitable Digital Transformation in the Asia-Pacific', this year's APT-MM was attended by 31 member states together with 19 affiliate members comprising Asia Pacific's government agencies, regulators and private entities. The meeting is set to launch the Tokyo Statement 2025 on Saturday, which emphasises six priorities, namely digital relations, digital innovation and entrepreneurship, trust and security, digital inclusivity and capacity development, sustainability, as well as regional and international cooperation.
The Sun
28-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
ASEAN strengthens global engagement, eyes forward-looking partnerships
KUALA LUMPUR: ASEAN is stepping up efforts to deepen cooperation with global partners while focusing on building a stronger, united regional community that promotes peace, trust and respect for international law. In a Chairman's Statement issued following the conclution of the 46th ASEAN Summit today, ASEAN leaders emphasised the importance of maintaining unity and ASEAN Centrality in dealing with external partners. 'We underscored the need to promote an enabling environment for peace, stability and prosperity for all by ensuring a culture of dialogue and cooperation, instead of rivalry, enhancing mutual trust and confidence, and respecting international law,' the statement stated. This approach is part of ASEAN's broader goal to establish a resilient, rules-based regional architecture guided by international law. The ASEAN Summit, which drew leaders and high-level delegations from ASEAN and partner countries, was held under Malaysia's 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship theme 'Inclusivity and Sustainability'. This year marks Malaysia's fifth term as ASEAN Chair, following previous chairmanships in 1977, 1997, 2005, and 2015. The leaders also took note of the growing interest from countries, regional and international organisations in formalising relations and substantive cooperation with ASEAN. The interest reflects the regional grouping's increasing global relevance and unique convening power for diplomacy amid today's geopolitical and geo-economic uncertainties. Looking ahead, ASEAN looks forward to successful outcomes of the following summits slated to be held in conjunction with the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in October 2025 in Malaysia, namely the 5th ASEAN-Australia Summit, the 28th ASEAN-China Summit, the 28th ASEAN-Japan Summit, the 26th ASEAN-Republic of Korea (ROK) Summit, the 13th ASEAN-United States Summit, and the 22nd ASEAN-India Summit. Significant progress has also been made in formalising Comprehensive Strategic Partnerships, such as the recent ASEAN-ROK partnership, and plans are underway to establish a similar agreement with New Zealand. 'We looked forward to strengthening ASEAN's partnerships with Canada, China, India, New Zealand, the ROK, Russia, the United States, and the United Nations through the successor Plans of Action (POAs) for 2026-2030 as well as a Joint Vision Statement with the United States. 'These instruments will guide the further development of ASEAN's external partnerships in alignment with the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and its Strategic Plan,' the statement read.
