Islamabad (GNP): Peace and security, economic prosperity and people-centered development remain central to ASEAN’s future direction, with the organization’s three core pillars — political-security, economic, and socio-cultural cooperation — continuing to shape its evolving partnership with Pakistan, said Dr. Emmanuel R. Fernandez, Ambassador of the Philippines and current Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Islamabad (ACI).
Fernandez delivered these remarks in his keynote address at a special seminar titled “Pakistan and ASEAN: Navigating Our Future Together,” held to mark the 59th anniversary of ASEAN Day. The event was jointly organized by the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the ASEAN Committee in Islamabad. He said that closer ties between Pakistan and ASEAN could help address emerging regional challenges while opening new avenues for cooperation beneficial to both sides.
In a recorded video message, ASEAN Deputy Secretary General H.E. Dato’ Astanah Abdul Aziz spoke to the strong foundation underpinning ASEAN-Pakistan relations, pointing to dialogue, economic and technological cooperation, connectivity, and people-centered development as priority areas for future collaboration.
Several ASEAN diplomats also affirmed Pakistan’s standing as a long-term partner and voiced support for deepening ties, including Colonel (R) Pengiran Haji Kamal Bashah, High Commissioner of Brunei Darussalam; Pham Anh Tuan, Ambassador of Vietnam; Wunna Han, Ambassador of Myanmar; Rongvudhi Virabutr, Ambassador of Thailand; Rahmat Hindiarta Kusuma, Minister Counsellor at the Indonesian Embassy; and Mohamad Alif Syafiq Bin Mohd Faudzi, First Secretary and Deputy Head of Mission at Malaysia’s High Commission. They expressed interest in expanding practical cooperation across trade and investment, tourism, digital economy and cybersecurity, agriculture and food security, connectivity, and people-to-people exchanges.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to ASEAN, Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri, reaffirmed the country’s commitment to strengthening ties with the bloc and reiterated Pakistan’s aspiration to secure Full Dialogue Partnership status. Haseen Fatima, Deputy Director of the East Asia and Pacific Division at the Foreign Ministry, noted the steady growth of institutional cooperation and highlighted the potential to convert existing frameworks into concrete outcomes.
In his welcome address, ISSI Director General Ambassador Moin-ul-Haque described ASEAN as a notable model of regional cooperation, calling for a more substantive, results-driven relationship between Pakistan and the bloc. He pointed to opportunities arising from ASEAN’s regional economic integration efforts, including RCEP, and proposed that ISSI engage directly with Pakistan’s business community to raise awareness of emerging opportunities and strengthen economic ties.
Earlier, in his introductory remarks, Dr. Talat Shabbir, Director of CPSC, called for sustained engagement and deeper mutual understanding between Pakistan and ASEAN.
Closing the session, ISSI Board of Governors Chairman Ambassador Khalid Mahmood called for a broader, more forward-looking partnership between Pakistan and ASEAN, underpinned by stronger institutional, academic, business and think-tank linkages.
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The seminar underscored a shared commitment to advancing Pakistan-ASEAN relations through continued dialogue, practical cooperation and improved connectivity, and brought together heads of mission and representatives from ASEAN member states, along with participants from academia and the media.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
