Dr Mahathir to lead Malaysian delegation to 33rd Asean Summit
SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad will lead the Malaysian delegation to the 33rd Asean Summit and Related Summits from November 13 to 15 here.
He will be accompanied by his spouse, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah, Minister of Economic Affairs, Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali and International Trade and Industry ( MITI) Minister, Datuk Ignatius Darell Leiking.
Officials from the Prime Minister’s department as well as Wisma Putra and MITI will also be present.
The theme of the Singapore Chairmanship is, “Resilient and Innovative Asean”.
It encapsulates the vision for Asean to be united amidst growing uncertainties in the global strategic landscape, Wisma Putra said in a statement.
Dr Mahathir arrived at 8.40am yesterday in Singapore for an official visit ahead of the Summit.
The Summit will also give the leaders an opportunity to exchange views on the future direction of Asean and its conduct of external relations, as well as discuss important regional and international issues, said the statement.
The Prime Minister together with other Asean leaders will also participate in the Asean Plus Three Summit, the East Asia Summit and Asean Plus One Summits with Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Russia and the United States.
He is also expected to deliver the keynote speech at the Asean Business and Investment Summit 2018 (ABIS) at Marina Bay Sands. The event will focus on reviewing and identifying issues to facilitate and promote economic cooperation and integration.
Meanwhile, Dr Mahathir is also scheduled to attend the 2nd Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Summit ( RCEP).
The leaders are expected to issue a joint statement on the RCEP negotiations and note the report by RCEP Ministers to them.
Dr Mahathir is expected to hold several bilateral discussions with his counterparts from Aseanmember states and dialogue partner countries on the sidelines of the Summits. — Bernama