Malaysia affirms role of youth in shaping ASEAN’s future
Young people in ASEAN are no longer just the leaders of tomorrow but the changemakers of today, said.Malaysian Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Abdul Aziz.
Malaysian Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Abdul Aziz (Photo: businesstoday.com.my)
Kuala Lumpur (VNA) - Malaysian Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Abdul Aziz has urged ASEAN’s youth to step forward as pioneers in shaping a more sustainable, inclusive and innovative future for the region and the world.
Speaking at the closing of the Nusantara Youth Forum 2025, Abdul Aziz emphasised that young people are no longer just the leaders of tomorrow but the changemakers of today.
True leadership is not about waiting a turn or holding a title. It’s about vision, courage and the readiness to act now, the minister stressed.
As Malaysia chairs ASEAN in 2025, it has approved the Digital Economy Framework Agreement, a groundbreaking ASEAN-wide digital trade treaty projected to grow the regional digital economy to over 2 trillion USD by 2030 and the ASEAN SME Academy, which equips young entrepreneurs with tools to build cross-border ventures.
Domestically, Malaysia’s New Industrial Master Plan 2030 aligns closely with ASEAN’s ambitions, focusing on high-value sectors and future-ready skills to create quality jobs and global competitiveness, he said.
The minister also underscored the importance of volunteerism and cultural expression ♛as key pillars of youth leadership./.
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Indonesia plays an important role in the ASEAN digital ecosystem, with a population of 280 million people, or around 40% of the ASEAN population, and makes a substantial contribution to the region's digital economy.
