Kuala Lampur, May 27 -- As Malaysia is hosting the 46th Asean Summit, 2nd Asean-GCC Summit, and Asean-GCC-China Summit, a significant milestone has been announced: the Asean Economic Community (AEC) Blueprint 2025 has reached a 97 per cent implementation rate.

This figure, while commendable, marks not an end, but a critical juncture to reflect, recalibrate, and reimagine Asean's economic trajectory in a far more complex global environment.

Formally launched in 2015, the AEC represents Asean's most ambitious push towards regional integration.

Grounded in five interconnected pillars, economic cohesion, competitiveness and innovation, sectoral cooperation, inclusivity and resilience, and global engagement, the blueprint has guided the reg...