HANOI, February 26- No ASEAN member state should be left behind in regional development.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the privilege aligns with the bloc's objective of creating a more inclusive and dynamic region.

He stressed the importance of regional integration in addressing global challenges and ensuring that every member country enjoys the benefits of development equitably.

"However, Asean must always remember that centrality is not a right, but a privilege that must be earned and defended in the context of changing global dynamics," he said.

"ASEAN’s centrality counts for little when there is no cohesion among member states, when we let internal differences and priorities divide us," Anwar said in his keynote address at the ASEAN Future Forum in Hanoi, Vietnam, today.

He also stressed the region should not be overly dependent on one market or superpower, but rather should strengthen relations with all countries for long-term stability.

“We are very fortunate, because we are in a region which is the most peaceful in the world, and where it is the fastest growing economy in the world," Anwar added.

"Close ties between leaders, including myself and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, as well as colleagues from Cambodia, Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Brunei, allow us to interact directly and continue to strengthen regional cooperation," he noted.

He added that Malaysia, guided by the Malaysia MADANI framework, is ready to work with ASEAN countries in accelerating high-quality investments in renewable energy, regenerative agriculture, and green infrastructure.

The second edition of the forum is a major platform to discuss sustainable development strategies, ensuring that ASEAN remains a progressive and internationally competitive economic bloc.