ASEAN summit finalizes historic legal agreement
The ASEAN Law Forum, held from August 19 to 21, 2025, at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, aimed to foster legal reform within ASEAN and highlight the region's progress. The Forum's theme was "Enhancing Access to Justice in the ASEAN Economic Community: Bridging Legal Cooperation for Inclusive Growth in the Digital Age".
The Forum was a significant step forward in ASEAN's commitment to trust-building and strengthening its position globally. The Honourable Prime Minister of Malaysia, YAB Dato' Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim, graced the event and witnessed the signing of the Joint Statement.
The Joint Statement, signed by YB Dato' Sri Azalina Othman Said, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) on behalf of Malaysia, aims to solidify rule-of-law foundations, economic resilience, and regional unity. Besides Malaysia, the joint statement on the development of international economic dispute resolution and mediation in ASEAN involved other ASEAN member countries; however, the specific participating countries are not listed in the provided search results.
The Joint Statement reflects a shared vision to enhance legal standards and cooperation within ASEAN. Specialised panels discussed topics such as Islamic finance and arbitration, sports arbitration, maritime arbitration, and ESG in supply chains. The discussions aimed to address and resolve emerging challenges proactively, benefiting both domestically and regionally.
The Forum's goal was to ensure a consistent and predictable dispute resolution environment, essential for regional economic stability and business confidence. Critical areas addressed during the Forum included arbitration, mediation, online safety, cross-border insolvency, cyber-related crimes, criminal and commercial law reforms, business and human rights, and the responsible integration of artificial intelligence in justice systems.
The ASEAN Law Forum concluded with the adoption of a Joint Statement on International Commercial Arbitration and Mediation Development. The Forum brought together policymakers, legal practitioners, academics, and stakeholders from ASEAN and beyond.
In preparation for the Forum, YB Dato' Sri Azalina Othman and YB M. Kula Segaran, the Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform), went on a regional tour to engage with ASEAN member states' Ministers of Law and Justice and national legal institutions. The regional tour aimed to promote regional cooperation on international commercial arbitration and mediation development through the support and consensus of the Joint Statement led by Malaysia.
The ASEAN Law Forum 2025 was a testament to ASEAN's commitment to fostering legal cooperation, strengthening regional unity, and promoting economic growth in the digital age.
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