TOKYO: Malaysia has called for more multilateral efforts in the face of a global polycrisis to empower the people to become more resilient.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, in his speech on the first day of the Asean - Japan Summit today, emphasised the need for cooperation and collaboration between Asean member states and Japan to tackle pressing issues ranging from regional security to public health and disaster management.
The summit was chaired by Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who opened the meeting alongside host, Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
Anwar called for more efforts to combat cybersecurity crimes following the expanding the digital landscape.
He underscored the importance of the Asean - Japan partnership in overcoming challenges and asked all member states to uphold humanitarian and international laws, given the climate of global geopolitics.
"Given the ongoing global polycrisis and growing complexity in our region's strategic environment, the Asean - Japan partnership in navigating these challenges is more crucial than ever," he said.
Anwar proposed four areas of cooperation - public health, climate action, disaster management and people-to-people exchanges - to expand and deepen collaboration within Asean.
Citing the Covid-19 pandemic, Anwar said Asean nations and Japan must learn from that experience and remain vigilant against future health crises.
The region, he said, is progressing towards making the Asean Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases operational. In moving towards this goal, he asked for researchers from Asean member states and Japan to be deployed to the centre.
"We should bring together researchers from diverse backgrounds, experience and know-how, to form a team that could help better address future health challenges," he said in his remarks during the third agenda, themed 'Heart to Heart Partners Across Generations'.
On climate action, he emphasised the need for close collaboration between Asean and Japan to advance both regional and national mitigation and adaptation strategies.
"Delaying these risks will worsen the irreversible impact of climate change, a reality already experienced by some," he said.
On the outcomes of the 28th United Nations Climate Change conference, (COP28), especially the Global Stocktake, Global Goal on Adaptation and the loss and damage fund, he encouraged Japan to increase its commitment beyond the initial US$10 million for the latter.
Anwar also highlighted the importance of assisting developing countries with energy transition in a just, orderly, and equitable manner.
He also pointed out the escalating frequency of extreme weather events in the region, such as droughts, floods, and landslides, emphasising the necessity of effective disaster management as his third point.
The Asean-Japan Summit will continue until tomorrow where it will meet to discuss the Asia Zero Emission Community (Azec) initiative in addressing climate change before drawing to a close.
