OPENING FORUM REMARKS BY

YAB DATO’ SERI ANWAR IBRAHIM

PRIME MINISTER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 RUSSIA-ASEAN BUSINESS FORUM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 17 JUNE 2026 (WEDNESDAY), 10.00 AM

BASHIR RAMEEV IT PARK, BUSINESS PROGRAMME HALL 1

KAZAN, RUSSIAN FEDERATION

 

 

 

 

(SALUTATIONS)

 

Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh and a very good morning.

 

Distinguished heads of delegations,

 

Excellencies,

 

Captains of industry,

 

Ladies and gentlemen,

 

I wish to express my sincere appreciation to the Government of the Russian Federation, the Republic of Tatarstan, and the Russia-ASEAN Business Council for their warm hospitality and excellent arrangements.

 

As one of your greatest poets, Abdullah Tukay, famously said, “..poetry is the language of the soul, bridging generations and bringing joy to the hearts of people”, let me therefore preface my remarks today with a great quote from our beloved founder of Tatar literature and poetry.

 

“…only in serving the people do I admit true happiness.”

 

I begin with this because as this year marks the 35^th anniversary of economic cooperation between ASEAN and Russia, we have to remind ourselves that the ultimate objective of this close collaboration is to serve none other than our people.

 

Over the past three and a half decades, our partnership has evolved steadily, supported by meaningful dialogue, growing economic engagement, and a shared commitment to mutually beneficial cooperation.

 

We gather, however, at a moment of profound change.

 

The global economy is being reshaped by geopolitical tensions, technological disruption, supply chain reconfiguration, and growing uncertainty about the future direction of international commerce. Businesses and governments alike are navigating an environment that is becoming more fragmented, more competitive, and, less predictable.

 

Yet periods of disruption also create opportunities for renewal.

 

The challenge before us is not merely to adapt to a changing world, but to shape it in ways that promote stability, resilience, and shared prosperity.

 

No country, no matter how huge or strong, can successfully navigate these challenges alone. It is therefore crucial for nations to strengthen connectivity, deepen trust, and pursue practical cooperation. Yet this simple proposition, that shared challenges require shared responses, is one we increasingly find ourselves having to defend.

 

ASEAN understands this reality well, having emerged as one of the world’s most dynamic economic regions. A growing middle class, a rapidly expanding digital economy, and a youthful population continue to drive growth and innovation across our region.

 

Despite the uncertain global environment, ASEAN has demonstrated remarkable resilience. The region continues to attract investment, deepen integration, and strengthen its position within global value chains.

 

More importantly, ASEAN remains committed to openness, inclusivity, and cooperation. These principles have enabled us to preserve our strategic autonomy while reinforcing ASEAN Centrality as a stabilising force in regional affairs.

 

It is in this spirit that we view our relationship with Russia. While ASEAN and Russia are not yet among each other’s principal economic partners, the potential for deeper engagement remains substantial.

 

As businesses seek to diversify markets, strengthen supply chain resilience, and explore new avenues of growth, there is considerable scope to expand multilateral cooperation in areas such as food security, energy, advanced manufacturing, digital technologies, and education.

 

Malaysia therefore welcomes the finalisation of the ASEAN-Russia Strategic Programme on Trade and Investment Cooperation 2026-2035, which is expected to be adopted later this year.

 

The programme provides a roadmap for the next phase of our economic relationship. Its focus on trade and investment, emerging technologies, and climate resilience reflects a shared understanding that future competitiveness will increasingly be shaped by innovation, talent, and knowledge.

 

But frameworks alone are not enough. Governments can create the enabling conditions. They can establish policies, remove barriers, and facilitate collaboration. Yet it is businesses, investors, entrepreneurs, researchers, and innovators who will ultimately transform aspirations into outcomes.

 

This is why forums such as today’s gathering are pivotal to creating the connections, partnerships, and ideas that allow cooperation to move beyond rhetoric and deliver tangible results.

 

Excellencies,

 

ASEAN remains firmly committed to a rules-based international trading system. We continue to believe that economic progress is best advanced through cooperation rather than confrontation, and through engagement rather than exclusion.

 

While resilience and economic security have become legitimate priorities, we must guard against allowing these concerns to erode openness and connectivity. Economic resilience should complement international cooperation, not replace it.

 

The multilateral trading system remains an indispensable pillar of global prosperity. Yet it must continue to evolve in response to contemporary realities while preserving its fundamental purpose: providing stability, predictability, and opportunity for all nations, regardless of size.

 

In this regard, ASEAN and Russia can contribute meaningfully by strengthening practical cooperation based on mutual respect, openness, and shared interests. By building stronger links between our businesses, institutions, and peoples, we can help foster a more resilient, inclusive, and prosperous global economy.

 

Ladies and gentlemen,

 

The past 35 years have provided a strong foundation for ASEAN-Russia relations.

 

The task before us now is to ensure that this relationship remains relevant to the realities of a changing world. We must strengthen connectivity, deepen economic cooperation, and seize the opportunities emerging from technological transformation and economic change.

 

Let us transform goodwill into partnerships, partnerships into projects, and projects into tangible benefits for our peoples.

 

If we succeed, the next chapter of ASEAN-Russia relations will be defined not merely by stronger economic ties, but by a shared contribution to stability, resilience, and prosperity across our regions.

 

Thank you.