ASEAN 2025: Who is attending and what to expect
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is convening its 47th summit, alongside the East Asia Summit (EAS) and other side meetings
Nearly two dozen world leaders are gathering in Malaysia's capital for the 47th ASEAN Summit, which runs from 26 to 28 October. The high-stakes meetings come amid trade tensions, regional conflicts, and a symbolic expansion of the bloc.
What's happening?
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is convening its 47th summit, alongside the East Asia Summit (EAS) and other side meetings.
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- Leaders will tackle issues ranging from US–China trade friction to border conflicts and Myanmar's civil war.
- Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is hosting the event, held over three days in Kuala Lumpur.
Who's attending?
ASEAN members
- Leaders from all 10 ASEAN countries - Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam - are attending.
- Myanmar's acting president Min Aung Hlaing will skip the summit due to the ongoing civil war.
- East Timor will be formally inducted as ASEAN's 11th member on Oct. 26.
East Asia Summit participants
- United States: President Donald Trump, joined by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.
- China: Premier Li Qiang.
- Japan: Newly appointed Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
- Australia: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
- South Korea: President Lee Jae Myung.
- New Zealand: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.
- Russia: Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak.
- India: Prime Minister Narendra Modi (participating virtually).
Other global figures
- Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney, and South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa will also attend.
- Leaders from the World Bank, IMF, ILO, and even FIFA are slated for select sessions.
What to expect
1. Trade and economic tensions
- The summit's main agenda centers on US tariffs - which range from 10–20% for most ASEAN states, but up to 40% for Laos and Myanmar.
- China's rare earth export curbs will be another flashpoint. Beijing's Vice Premier He Lifeng is meeting with US officials (Oct. 24–27) to ease tensions.
- The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) - the world's largest trade bloc - will hold its first leaders' summit since 2020 to boost trade flows and discuss expansion.
2. Regional conflicts and security
- Cambodia and Thailand are expected to sign a peace deal ending a long-standing border dispute, witnessed by President Trump and PM Anwar Ibrahim.
- Leaders will also discuss Myanmar's civil war, which has displaced thousands and destabilized border regions.
- The proliferation of online scam centers - now a multibillion-dollar criminal industry in Southeast Asia - will be on the security agenda.
3. Membership and integration
- East Timor's accession marks ASEAN's first expansion in nearly two decades, symbolizing the bloc's continued regional reach and unity efforts.
The big picture
The main goals of this year's summit:
- Ease trade frictions between global powers and protect ASEAN economies.
- Promote regional peace and stability, with progress on disputes and conflict zones.
- Expand and strengthen ASEAN, starting with East Timor's full membership.
Some analysts caution that despite the crowded agenda, the event may deliver more photo ops than policy breakthroughs.
