TRANSCRIPT:
Nearly two dozen world leaders are in Malaysia's capital of Kuala Lumpur for the three-day ASEAN summit.
Trade, security - and Donald Trump - are dominating discussions at the 47th summit of the Association of South-East Asian Nations.
In an opening address, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stressed the importance of dialogue during difficult times.
"Across regions, we see rising contestation of growing uncertainty. These crosswinds test not only our economies but our collective resolve, to keep faith in cooperation, to believe that understanding and dialogue can still prevail in a divided age."
The summit has already seen the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia reach an expanded ceasefire deal.
An outbreak of violence along the Thailand-Cambodia border in July prompted the worst violence in years, killing dozens of people and displacing thousands.
Thanking United States President Donald Trump for overseeing the deal, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet says he looks forward to continuing support from international partners.
"Cambodia reaffirms its strong commitment to fully and faithfully implementing these joint declarations and to continuing to work closely with Thailand, and all our partners, to ensure that this peace endures and brings tangible benefit to our people."
The U-S President's attendance at the summit comes as his administration's foreign policy continues to be increasingly protectionist.
South East Asian nations are among the worst hit by U-S tariffs, with Thailand, Malaysia and Cambodia all subject to a 19 per cent export levy on goods going to the U-S.
Visiting the sidelines of ASEAN, Mr Trump finalised trade agreements with all three, as well as a framework agreement with Vietnam.
As the U-S administration works to weaken China's grip on the global supply of rare earths, deals involving critical minerals were signed with both Thailand and Malaysia.
Addressing leaders at the summit, Mr Trump says the U-S intends on being a strong partner to the region.
"In addition to the agreement with Malaysia this week, we're also signing or nearing completion on trade deals with many other Indo-Pacific partners from Cambodia to Japan to South Korea. We're delighted to forge richer partnerships on energy, technology, artificial intelligence, critical minerals and other industries. The United States is having its golden age."
The ASEAN grouping comprises Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, the Philippines, Laos, Malaysia, Brunei, Myanmar, and Cambodia.
This year, the ten member grouping will induct Timor Leste as its 11th member, the first in over two decades.
Malaysia's Anwar Ibrahim says Timor Leste will find support within the group.
“Its (East Timor’s) place here completes the ASEAN family, reaffirming our shared destiny and deep sense of regional kinship. Within this community, Timor-Leste’s development and strategic autonomy will find firm and lasting support.”
Also visiting Malaysia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has told the summit jobs and security within Australia will be his focus.
"We have worked to make it easier for the economies of South-East Asia to invest in Australia. We've streamlined business visas and improved access and flexibility for frequent business travellers. And we're reforming our foreign investment regime, creating a single front door so it's easier for major investors to meet regulatory requirements and navigate government processes so that capital flows into good, job-creating projects sooner. Our $2 billion South-East Asia Investment Financing Facility is providing financing solutions to support investments in the region."
On the summit's sidelines, the Prime Minister also met Japan's newly elected Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
Ms Takaichi told Mr Albanese their two nations should lead efforts to create a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Mr Albanese says he is also looking forward to soon welcoming Ms Takaichi to Australia, as part of the annual leaders dialogue.
