The Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) marked the 58th ASEAN Day with a high-level roundtable focused on strengthening ties between Pakistan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The event, organized by the China-Pakistan Study Centre (CPSC) at ISSI in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the ASEAN Committee in Islamabad, drew diplomats, government officials, and experts to discuss avenues for peace, economic progress, and regional prosperity.
Ambassador Imran Ahmed Siddiqui, Additional Foreign Secretary for Asia Pacific, served as the chief guest, while Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, Director General of ISSI, delivered the opening remarks. Ambassador Mahmood emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to deepening its partnership with ASEAN, acknowledging the bloc’s transformation into a global economic powerhouse with a GDP exceeding $4.2 trillion. He praised ASEAN’s resilience, unity, and vision for inclusive growth, and drew attention to the group’s Community Vision 2045, noting its importance in addressing emerging global challenges. Mahmood highlighted a 23 percent increase in Pakistan-ASEAN trade over the past year and pointed to potential synergies through initiatives such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). He also underscored the importance of people-to-people contacts, youth engagement, and cultural collaboration as fundamental pillars of the Pakistan-ASEAN relationship.
In a special video message, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, recognized Pakistan’s longstanding role as ASEAN’s first Sectoral Dialogue Partner and welcomed the steadily growing economic and institutional links between the two sides. He highlighted Pakistan’s contributions to peace, development, and regional connectivity and expressed support for continued cooperation under the ASEAN-Pakistan Practical Cooperation Areas 2024–2028.
Representing the ASEAN Committee in Islamabad, Myanmar’s Ambassador Wunna Han spoke of the progress in Pakistan-ASEAN cooperation and encouraged support for ASEAN’s Vision 2045. Ambassadors and high commissioners from ASEAN member states, including Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, and Cambodia, shared their views on advancing political, economic, security, and socio-cultural collaboration. They welcomed Pakistan’s active engagement with ASEAN and reiterated their commitment to strengthening the partnership.
Pakistani ambassadors and high commissioners posted to ASEAN member states offered insights on ongoing practical cooperation, deepening bilateral ties, and expanded collaboration in areas such as financial technology, the digital economy, sustainable development, trade, tourism, and cultural diplomacy. They called for stronger institutional links and high-level exchanges to further broaden the partnership, expressing optimism about its contribution to regional peace and growth.
Ambassador Imran Siddiqui, in his keynote address, reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to ASEAN under the country’s Vision East Asia policy. He noted Pakistan’s diplomatic presence in nine ASEAN capitals and highlighted the importance of greater integration through projects like CPEC, as well as capacity building and people-focused development. He advocated for elevating Pakistan’s status to a Full Dialogue Partner, describing it as an evolution consistent with both nations’ aspirations and histories.
Concluding the roundtable, Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman of the Board of Governors at ISSI, lauded ASEAN’s achievements as a model regional organization and expressed hope that Pakistan’s relations with ASEAN would reach the Full Dialogue Partner level in the near future. He commended ISSI’s ongoing contributions to the partnership through research, education, and policy dialogue.
The roundtable ended with the traditional ASEAN handshake and a cake-cutting ceremony in celebration of ASEAN Day, underscoring a shared commitment to closer cooperation, peace, and regional prosperity.
