Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah (photo, above) is leading the Malaysian delegation to the 52nd Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting/Post Ministerial Conferences and Related Meetings (52nd AMM/PMC) from July 28 to Aug 3 in Bangkok.

In a statement, Wisma Putra said Asean foreign ministers would discuss issues related to Asean community, implementation of the Asean Political-Security Blueprint 2025, Asean’s future direction, as well as preparations for the 35th Asean Summit and Related Summits, scheduled to be held in November.

“The foreign ministers will also discuss and exchange views on matters relating to regional and international issues of common interest such as developments in the South China Sea, the situation in the Rakhine State, situation in the Korean Peninsula, counter-terrorism and violent extremism, maritime security and other non-traditional security issues,” it said.

Thailand, the current Asean chair, hosts the 52nd AMM/PMC and Related Meetings at the Centara Grand and Bangkok Convention Centre in Bangkok.

Saifuddin is accompanied by his wife, Norlin Shamsul Bahri, senior officials from the Foreign Ministry, and the Permanent Mission of Malaysia to Asean in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The 52nd AMM will be preceded by several preparatory meetings at the senior officials’ level, the statement said.

In addition, Saifuddin and other Asean foreign ministers will also attend the Post-Ministerial Conferences (PMCs) with Asean dialogue partners namely Australia, Canada, China, the European Union, India, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Russia and the United States.

Malaysia is the country coordinator for the Asean-Australia Dialogue Relations for the term 2018-2021.

Saifuddin and the Australian foreign affairs and women Senator Marise Payne will co-chair the Asean-Australia Ministerial Meeting on Aug 1.

The Asean foreign ministers will also participate in the Southeast Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty commission meeting, the 20th Asean Plus Three Foreign Ministers' Meeting, the 9th East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers' Meeting, and the 26th Asean Regional Forum (ARF).

The Asean foreign ministers are also scheduled to have an interface with the Asean Inter-governmental Commission on Human Rights Representatives.

Wisma Putra said Saifuddin is also expected to hold several bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Asean and dialogue partners at the sidelines of the AMM/PMC to discuss and strengthen cooperation on strategic issues of common concern.

At the conclusion of the 52nd AMM/PMC, the foreign ministers are expected to adopt a number of outcome documents, including the 52nd AMM joint communique which will highlight the discussions and key decisions made during the meetings.

The Asean foreign ministers will witness the signing ceremony of the Instrument of Accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) in Southeast Asia by Peru.

The TAC serves as a key code of conduct for inter-state relations in Southeast Asia, with the main aim of promoting peace and security in the region.

Thailand said Prime Minister Prayuth Chan o-cha will officiate the 52nd AMM/PMC tomorrow.

Prior to the opening ceremony, the Asean foreign ministers will pay a courtesy call on Prayuth.

Thailand Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai will chair the AMM and co-chair the PMCs with dialogue partners and other meetings.

- Bernama