KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia is set to become the diplomatic capital of Southeast Asia as it gears up to host the largest gathering of regional and world leaders at the 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits, scheduled from Oct 26 to 28.

More than 30 heads of state and government, including Asean leaders and key dialogue partners such as the United States (US), China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, New Zealand and Canada, will converge at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre here, to discuss regional peace, economic resilience and inclusive growth under Malaysia’s 2025 Asean Chairmanship theme of ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability’.

A total of 2,854 media personnel from 290 agencies have registered to cover the historic event, which will also mark the formal admission of Timor-Leste as Asean’s 11th member state, symbolising Southeast Asia’s continued unity and expansion.

Among the high-profile arrivals expected on Oct 26 are US President Donald Trump and Chinese Premier Li Qiang.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa are due to arrive on Oct 24 to attend as Asean’s new sectoral dialogue partners, while Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to arrive on Oct 25.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has described the summit as one of the largest in Asean’s history, noting that Malaysia, as the current Chair, is committed to ensuring that the discussion yields tangible outcomes. 

The gathering, he said, is an opportunity to strengthen global partnerships and reinforce Asean as a platform for meaningful dialogue and collaboration among key economies, and that Trump’s presence provides an opportunity to deepen Malaysia-US ties and address pressing international concerns, including the Gaza situation and regional peace efforts.