PUTRAJAYA, July 21 — Several world leaders, including those from Asia, Europe, Canada, the United States, Africa and Latin America, are expected to attend the 47th Asean Summit scheduled to be held in Kuala Lumpur this October, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Speaking at the Prime Minister's Department monthly assembly, Anwar, who is also the finance minister, said so far, among those who have expressed their commitment to attend are leaders from Italy, the European Union, Canada and the United States.
"It (the Asean Summit) will be a major international conference for Malaysia," he said here today.
On July 8, Anwar said several heads of government from outside Asean had confirmed their attendance at the 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits scheduled to be held from October 26-28.
Among the leaders who have confirmed their attendance are Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, whom Anwar met in Rome on July 3, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who currently holds the position of President of the G20 Group.
Anwar also stressed that his overseas visits were not for leisure, but carried out in Malaysia's capacity as Asean Chair this year, as well as to honour invitations from several world leaders.
"I am among the prime ministers who have travelled abroad the most. Coincidentally, Malaysia is Asean chairman this year," he said
Expressing confidence in the services of civil servants, including the national security forces, following their excellent performance during the recent Asean-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Asean-China Summits, Anwar is confident that the October's summit will be held successfully.
Anwar said his confidence was reinforced by Malaysia's improved ranking in the World Competitiveness Report by the Institute for Management Development (IMD), from 34th in 2024 to 23rd in 2025.
The prime minister said the improvement in ranking also reflected the international community's confidence in Malaysia's administrative capabilities, thus giving a positive signal ahead of the 47th Asean Summit.
The 46th Asean Summit held in Kuala Lumpur in May also featured the second Asean-GCC Summit, as well as the first-ever ASEAN-GCC-China Summit.
Malaysia, as the 2025 Asean Chair with the theme Inclusivity and Sustainability, hosted the 46th Asean Summit and related meetings from May 22-27.
— Bernama
