This year, Malaysia hosts the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), putting it at the centre of regional geopolitics. The country’s prime minister, Anwar Ibrahim, has an ambitious agenda to steer the group through the challenges posed by rising geopolitical tension. How will Malaysia navigate a trade war and competition between the United States and China? And how will its identity as a diverse Muslim-majority country and advocate for the global south shape its positions at a time of multiple crises and conflicts?

Please join us for this timely discussion about the foreign policy outlook of one of Australia’s closest neighbours, featuring Associate Professor Ngeow Chow Bing (University of Malaya), Associate Professor Syaza Shukri (International Islamic University Malaysia), and Associate Professor Ross Tapsell (Australian National University). The discussion will be moderated by Lowy Institute Program Director for Southeast AsiaSusannah Patton.