According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2023, persons with disabilities— including physical, intellectual, and mental disabilities—represent 16 per cent of the world’s population. This is equivalent to 1.3 billion people, 80 per cent of whom acquired their disabilities between the ages of 18 and 64. Data from the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) in 2021 indicates that 472 million of these individuals are of working age, including women, youth, and rural residents, who often face disadvantages in socioeconomic activities, primarily in education and employment across the Asia-Pacific region.
Malaysia takes centre stage as it assumed the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, marking a pivotal year for regional leadership and collaboration. The much-anticipated ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2025 is one of the year’s flagship events, scheduled from 15 to 20 January 2025 in Johor Bahru, Johor. With the theme “Unity in Motion, Shaping ASEAN Tourism Tomorrow,” the ATF serves a critical platform for advancing sustainable and inclusive tourism throughout Southeast Asia.
In a significant move that underscores Southeast Asia’s commitment to sustainable tourism, the ASEAN Ecotourism Standard (AECOS) has been officially endorsed at the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits under the leadership of Lao PDR, chaired by Sonexay Siphandone, Prime Minister of Lao PDR. The endorsement of AECOS reflects a broader regional effort to elevate sustainable tourism practices. This Standard aims to redefine how ecotourism is approached across Southeast Asia. The initiative was spearheaded by the Lao PDR in collaboration with ASEAN Member States, supported by the ASEAN Secretariat and experts from the Asia Ecotourism Network (AEN), and funded by the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA).
This edition marks the transition from ASEAN Community Vision 2025 to ASEAN Community Vision 2045, a critical phase for ASEAN to assess its progress and chart its course for the next two decades. With Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025 under the theme of Inclusivity and Sustainability, this issue highlights Malaysia’s priorities in fostering a more inclusive region.
ASEAN has made significant strides in advancing disability rights, guided by the ASEAN Enabling Masterplan 2025. This edition highlights key milestones in mainstreaming disability rights, regional cooperation, and ongoing efforts to ensure full participation for all. It also features perspectives from persons with disabilities and organisations championing their rights. The mid-term review of the Enabling Masterplan underscores ASEAN’s commitment to ensuring that no one is left behind.
