Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn participated in the 57^th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ (AEM) – 39^th ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) Council Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The Meeting welcomed the conclusion of the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) Upgrade negotiations and agreed that the Second Protocol to Amend the ATIGA would be signed at the sidelines of the 47^th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in October 2025. 

The Meeting discussed various trade facilitation initiatives aimed at boosting intra-ASEAN trade, including the next-generation of the ASEAN Single Window, The ASEAN Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Mutual Recognition Arrangement (AAMRA), the ASEAN Custom Transit System (ACTS) and enhanced cooperation among ASEAN Customs to strengthen cooperation to uphold the integrity of the global supply chain and prevent illicit trade, among others.