JOHANNESBURG, 22 November 2025 — Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim urged global leaders at the G20 Leaders’ Summit to prioritise coordinated readiness over unilateral measures, stressing that true resilience is built on “common preparedness, not isolation.”
Speaking during Session 1, titled “Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Growth, Leaving No One Behind”, Anwar cited Malaysia’s ASEAN-chairmanship experience to illustrate how aligned policy frameworks and clear rules help nations absorb shocks more effectively.
“When policies are aligned and rules are predictable, shocks pass through with less damage. The lesson is clear: resilience comes from common preparedness, not isolation,” he said.
Key Highlights from the Address
- Labour-market disruption: Anwar warned that artificial intelligence (AI) will reshape employment at a pace institutions struggle to match. Without early investment in transitions, workers, especially youth, risk being left behind.
- Trade and supply-chain stability: He emphasised the importance of open, predictable trade regimes, pointing to the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement as an example of regional cooperation.
- Fiscal resilience: The Prime Minister cautioned that global resilience cannot rely on “fiscal exhaustion,” noting that many developing economies spend more on debt servicing than on education or investment.
- Multilateral investment mobilisation: He called on multilateral development banks to accelerate deployment of capital for upfront investment in transitions rather than reacting to crises.
Why This Matters for the Asia-Pacific Region
- Investor confidence & capital flows: The emphasis on predictable frameworks and regional collaboration can reduce risk premia for Southeast Asian economies, improving attractiveness for foreign investment.
- Workforce transformation: For Malaysia and neighbouring countries, the shift highlighted by Anwar underscores the need to accelerate training, digital-skills development and readiness for structural change.
- Policy precedent: The message reinforces the logic that regional blocs, such as ASEAN, must cooperate proactively, not wait for crises to force alignment.
- Trade & supply-chain networks: The call for stable rules and open trade has implications for countries in the region embedded in supply-chain ecosystems, including Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam.
What to Watch Next
- Whether the G20 adopts language reflecting Anwar’s call for common preparedness, which could influence multilateral commitments in trade, digital economy and financing for development.
- How ASEAN members align national policies, especially in digital economy frameworks, labour-market transitions and infrastructure investment.
- The reaction of capital markets and credit agencies to Malaysia’s message, if clarity in governance and policy coordination improves perceived country risk.
- How technology-driven disruptions (AI, automation) play out across Asia-Pacific and whether governments respond with education, safety nets and regulation at the pace required.
