Short Brief: ASEAN-UK Post Ministerial Conference with the UK on 11 July 2025

On 11 July 2025, the ASEAN-Post Ministerial Conference with the United Kingdom (UK) was held for the fourth time and in Kuala Lumpur with Malaysian Chairmanship this year. David Lammy, Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom, co-chaired with Bui Thanh Son, Vietnam’s Foreign Minister, who served as ASEAN Country Coordinator.

The dialogue was fruitful and forward-looking, centred around the ASEAN-UK Plan of Action (POA) (2022-2026) and the plan for the fifth anniversary next year. At the heart of ASEAN’s values and the Indo-Pacific region’s motivation, the UK viewed this region as important to its national interest, especially in dealing with wider commitments in both economic and security lenses. They discussed a range from reaffirming cooperation to fostering commitments on climate change, transnational crime, cybersecurity, and illicit finance, and people-to-people exchange.

Moreover, David Lammy led the UK to attend the ASEAN Regional Forum for the first time, and also made a debut as Guest of the Chair. At the sidelines of AFMM, David Lammy met with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his Foreign Minister to elevate the relationship to a Strategic Partnership. David also met with the Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Maria Theresa. Manila will host the next Chair in 2026. This meeting will be pivotal for setting the deadline for the POA and planning the next stage, as well as reaffirming the UK’s commitment to the Philippines.

It is essential that ASEAN and the UK seek to build more “trust” and develop an “optional” partnership. Despite emerging challenges, the UK remains progressive with its plans. However, strategic investments should focus on key, complex areas, and cooperation in these sectors should be considered for the next stage of the POA.