ASEAN Unity Drive 2025: A Cross-Border Journey for a Green and Sustainable ASEAN

ASEAN Unity Drive 2025: Uniting Automotive Across Borders will start its northern leg on a cross-border journey from Hanoi, passing through Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and ending in Malaysia. (Photo: Ngoc Anh)

Attending the ceremony were Malaysian Ambassador to Vietnam Dato' Tan Yang Thai; Director of ASEAN Department (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) Tran Duc Binh; along with many Ambassadors and Charge d'Affaires of ASEAN countries in Hanoi; representative of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam; Senior General Director of the Malaysian Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii) Bakri Alias.

In his opening remarks, Ambassador Dato' Tan Yang Thai emphasized that with the theme "Uniting Automotive Across Borders", the event is not only the beginning of a special journey, but also a symbol of ASEAN's spirit of unity, innovation and sustainable development towards a greener, smarter and more connected future.

Malaysian Ambassador Dato' Tan Yang Thai affirmed that this is the time for ASEAN to demonstrate its pioneering role in the field of sustainable transport (Photo: Nhu Quynh)

As the Chair of ASEAN 2025, Malaysia is honored to lead a journey of over 9,000 km across 9 member states to realise the vision of “Inclusive and Sustainable”. The journey is expected to promote regional cohesion, spread the message of green transport, enhance cross-border cooperation and encourage innovation in the field of mobility technology.

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Ambassador Tan Yang Thai also affirmed that ASEAN Unity Drive 2025 is part of the effort to realize important initiatives and policies proposed by Malaysia, especially the ASEAN EV Policy and Guidelines - one of the 18 economic priorities approved by the Association.

Through this journey, electric vehicles such as the Proton e.MAS 7 and the Proton X Series not only play a communication role but also directly contribute to promoting the adoption of green vehicles in the region.

“This is the time for ASEAN to take the lead in sustainable transport. Working together to build an integrated electric vehicle ecosystem will not only help us reduce external dependence, but also affirm ASEAN’s position as a dynamic and environmentally responsible innovation hub,” the diplomat said.

On this occasion, Ambassador Tan Yang Thai also sent congratulations to Vietnam on the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025) and the 30th anniversary of joining ASEAN ( 1995-2025), emphasizing the closeness and companionship between the two countries in the common development process of the region.

According to the itinerary, ASEAN Unity Drive 2025 will start its northern route on its cross-border journey from Hanoi, passing through Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and ending in Malaysia, where the Malaysia Autoshow 2025 - the country's largest auto show, will take place from May 9-15.

Bakri Alias, Senior Director General of the Malaysian Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii), believes that this initiative will not only bring economic benefits but also contribute to deepening the spirit of solidarity and building the ASEAN community. (Photo: Ngoc Anh)

Also at the launch ceremony, Mr. Bakri Alias, Senior Director General of the Malaysian Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii), affirmed that this initiative is a vivid demonstration of efforts to strengthen cross-border cooperation and integrate the automotive ecosystem in the ASEAN region.

Accordingly, MARii, an agency under the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry, plays a pivotal role in promoting the development of future mobility solutions, smart manufacturing and digital transformation, in line with Malaysia’s National Automotive Industry Strategy 2020. This strategy aims to enhance the industry’s competitiveness, promote technological innovation and develop new-generation vehicles, while ensuring environmental sustainability.

“Through this journey, we aim to build stronger cooperation networks, promote green and smart mobility solutions, and encourage policy harmonization in the region,” said Mr. Alias. emphasize.

Appreciating Vietnam's spirit of cooperation, considering this an important stop on the journey, the General Director of MARii believes that this initiative will not only bring economic benefits but also contribute to deepening the spirit of solidarity and building the ASEAN community.

“The convoy is both a symbol of solidarity and a message of innovation and shared prosperity,” said Mr. Alias, adding that the journey is also a testament to ASEAN’s readiness to shape the future of the transport industry, in line with global sustainable development trends.

Ambassador Dato' Tan Yang Thai and Director General of ASEAN Department Tran Duc Binh announced the launch of the ASEAN Unity Drive 2025. (Photo: Ngoc Anh)

Sharing with The World and Vietnam Newspaper, Ambassador Dato' Tan Yang Thai commented that this initiative not only promotes awareness but also creates conditions for countries to work together to build specific and effective solutions for the common development of the electric vehicle industry in the region.

According to the Ambassador, while gasoline-powered vehicles can easily be refueled in any ASEAN country, electric vehicles still face major barriers in charging at different stations. “For example, Malaysia’s e.MAS 7 electric vehicle cannot be charged at VinFast stations because each company uses its own charging system. Therefore, if the electric vehicle charging infrastructure is not standardized and synchronized soon, cross-border movement in the region will be very difficult.”

As the ASEAN Chair in 2025, Malaysia has high hopes for accelerating the integration and standardization of charging systems and policies related to electric vehicles across all member states. Although admitting that the initial phase faces many challenges, Ambassador Tan Yang Thai affirmed that ASEAN needs to act now if it wants to catch up with the global electrification wave.

ASEAN needs to act now if it wants to catch up with the global electrification wave. (Photo: Ngoc Anh)

In addition, the Ambassador also frankly acknowledged that one of the major challenges of the region is the modest intra-bloc trade rate. “Currently, trade between ASEAN countries accounts for only more than 20% of the region's total trade turnover, while the target is to reach 40% or higher. I believe that the automotive industry, especially electric vehicles, will be an important lever to realize this goal."

According to the diplomat, boosting intra-bloc trade not only brings economic benefits but also helps ASEAN increase its self-reliance, especially in the context of the world facing major changes such as tariff barriers from major powers. “It is time for ASEAN to pay more attention to the regional market, not only for development, but also to protect itself sustainably.”

Starting from Hanoi, the convoy will embark on a journey of over 9,000 km on culturally rich routes, passing through majestic natural landscapes in Laos, Cambodia and Thailand before arriving in Malaysia. Each stop is not only a transit point, but also a forum for knowledge exchange and promoting deeper dialogue on green transport development and digital transformation in the region. Through these collective efforts, ASEAN is gradually positioning itself as a global hub for electric vehicle innovation and application, setting the standard for sustainable transport in developing economies.

ASEAN Unity Drive 2025 is a bold vision for the future of regional mobility, emphasizing innovation, sustainability and economic growth, as Malaysia pioneers the ASEAN automotive revolution.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/asean-unity-drive-2025-hanh-trinh-xuyen-bien-gioi-vi-mot-asean-xanh-va-ben-vung-312330.html