His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam in a Message in conjunction with ASEAN Day 2025 stresses on ASEAN's commitment to empower youths as stewards of ASEAN's future. His Majesty in the titah says, looking ahead, ASEAN is guided by the Strategic Plans in the ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future, to build an ASEAN that is adaptive, resilient, innovative, and people-centred. His Majesty in the titah states that this year marks the 58th Anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN. The occasion, provides the opportunity for ASEAN to reflect on a journey rooted in the shared aspirations of peace, prosperity, and progress for the peoples of Southeast Asia. ASEAN Day is celebrated every 8th of August.
In the titah, the Monarch says that since 1967, ASEAN has grown into a resilient and dynamic Community, united in navigating complex geopolitical environments, overcoming economic challenges, and responding to crises from natural disasters to pandemics.
Through the collective efforts of Member States over the decades, ASEAN has delivered tangible benefits to the region, preserving peace, security, and stability, fostering sustained growth, and improving the livelihoods of its peoples. This includes nurturing generations of educators, engineers, artists, and entrepreneurs, by expanding access to education, strengthening regional cooperation, and supporting economic integration.
The year 2025 also marks several important milestones for ASEAN, including the 10th Anniversary of the ASEAN Community and the 20th Anniversary of the East Asia Summit. ASEAN, the Monarch says, also looks forward to welcoming Timor-Leste as ASEAN's 11th full member at the 47th ASEAN Summit in October, which further reinforces ASEAN unity.
His Majesty stresses that looking ahead, ASEAN is guided by the Strategic Plans in the ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future, to build an ASEAN that is adaptive, resilient, innovative, and people-centred.
It reaffirms ASEAN Centrality and the joint commitment to ensuring that development is inclusive and sustainable. In the titah, His Majesty emphasises that ASEAN is also committed to empowering the youth as stewards of ASEAN's future.
His Majesty adds that ASEAN will continue to embrace the digital era, enhance climate resilience, and strengthen food and energy security. Together, ASEAN is building a future-ready, values-based regional community.
His Majesty in the titah stresses that Brunei Darussalam fully supports Malaysia's Chairmanship of ASEAN under the theme "Inclusivity and Sustainability" and reaffirms its commitment to working closely, and with consensus, with fellow Member States and Partners to realise the goals set forth in ASEAN 2045 and to help shape a brighter, more inclusive future for all. In ending the titah, His Majesty expresses his warmest wishes to all the peoples of ASEAN, and to a future in which the region continues to thrive in unity, resilience, and shared prosperity.
