Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has stressed the need for ASEAN to build an integrated supply chain network and work toward deeper regional integration to remain relevant, attractive, and competitive in order to grapple with the volatile global economic landscape.

At the plenary session of the 46th ASEAN Summit on 26 May 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the Prime Minister delivered an intervention, saying that the unprecedented imposition of tariffs by the U.S. has far-reaching impacts not only on global trade dynamics but also on ASEAN’s economic outlook. These developments challenge long-standing norms of global cooperation, which compel ASEAN to re-evaluate its strategies and strengthen collective resilience.

She pointed out that intra-ASEAN trade should be promoted, fully leveraging existing Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), and actively pursuing new FTAs with potential partners, while strengthening Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to withstand future challenges.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn stated that Thailand would expedite the conclusion of the Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) this year to unlock new growth avenue. While this marks a significant step forward in the near term, it also demonstrates that ASEAN will not stand still in its pursuit of progress, as the region continues to respond to the ever-evolving landscape of global trade and investment.

To realize effective integration, she said, ASEAN must foster frank, inclusive, constructive, and solution-oriented dialogue, within and beyond the region. In doing so, ASEAN must reinforce its centrality and unity and make sure that all its engagements are firmly grounded in ASEAN’s core principles, centered on its shared priorities, and driven by what truly serves the interests of ASEAN citizens. 

The Prime Minister reaffirmed that Thailand would continue to be an active promoter of peace and common prosperity, working closely with ASEAN family and partners to achieve “Inclusivity and Sustainability” for the region as reflected in Malaysia’s ASEAN chairmanship theme.

She stated that, in order to build an inclusive future for the region, the ASEAN Community must not only be rules-based but also people-centered and people-oriented, so that the people enjoy a higher quality of life. ASEAN must redouble efforts to safeguard human security in all dimensions – from health and food security to combatting transnational crimes, such as drug trafficking and online scams. The worsening transboundary haze and recent earthquake in Myanmar are also a stark reminder that ASEAN cannot afford to delay action to provide stronger protections for its peoples.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn suggested that ASEAN should undertake initiatives that collectively promote the region’s growth engines, such as the tourism sector, which benefits various other sectors of the societies. Thailand, therefore, looks forward to closer collaboration on enhancing cross-border infrastructure, streamlining travel protocols, and promoting shared heritage and diverse cultures, including through Thailand’s tourism cooperation initiative.

She added that ASEAN should focus more on promoting sustainable practices in all sectors and in daily life, as well as advocating for policies that support a sustainable future. In this regard, Thailand reaffirmed its commitment, as the ASEAN Coordinator on Sustainable Development Cooperation, to playing a catalytic role in driving ASEAN toward a greener and more sustainable future. Thailand will work with all partners to develop a strategy that will help realize a “green ASEAN,” one of the shared aspirations outlined in the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, by focusing on such key areas as green finance, climate resilience, energy transition, and digital transformation.

On this occasion, Prime Minister Paetongtarn joined other ASEAN leaders in adopting the statement “ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future.” After the plenary session of the 46th ASEAN Summit, nine documents were adopted by ASEAN leaders, as follows:

1. KL Declaration on the 10th Anniversary of the Establishment of the ASEAN Community;
2. KL Declaration on ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future;
3. ASEAN Community Vision 2045: “Resilient, Innovative, Dynamic and People-Centered ASEAN”;
4. ASEAN Political-Security Community Strategic Plan;
5. ASEAN Economic Community Strategic Plan;
6. ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Strategic Plan;
7. ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan;
8. ASEAN Creative Economy Sustainability Framework;
9. ASEAN Declaration of Commitment on ASEAN Drug Security and Self-Reliance (ADSSR).