ASEAN Unity Drive 2025: On the road for a greener and sustainable future
WVR - On April 25, the Malaysian Embassy in Vietnam hosted the flag-off ceremony for ASEAN Unity Drive 2025: Uniting Automotive Across Borders. The event highlighted ASEAN’s collective push for sustainable transport, green innovation, and deeper regional integration.
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| ASEAN Unity Drive 2025: Uniting Automotive Across Borders will begin its northern route on a cross-border journey starting from Hanoi, passing through Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand, and concluding in Malaysia. (Photo: Ngoc Anh) |
The ceremony has the attendance of Malaysian Ambassador to Vietnam, Dato’ Tan Yang Thai; Director General of the ASEAN Department (Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs), Tran Duc Binh; Ambassadors and Chargés d’affaires of ASEAN member states in Hanoi; representatives from the Ministry of Industry and Trade; and Senior General Manager Value Chain Development Division of the Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii), Bakri Alias.
In his opening speech, Ambassador Dato’ Tan Yang Thai affirmed that the theme “Uniting Automotive Across Borders” is is a powerful symbol of ASEAN's shared commitment to a greener, smarter, and more connected region.
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| Malaysian Ambassador to Vietnam Dato’ Tan Yang Thai said that it is time for ASEAN to lead in sustainable transport. (Photo: Nhu Quynh) |
As ASEAN Chair in 2025, Malaysia takes the lead in a 9,000-kilometre expedition across nine member states, advancing the vision of an inclusive and sustainable region. The drive is expected to promote green transportation, enhance infrastructure development, and encourage industry-driven innovations.
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Malaysian Ambassador Tan Yang Thai has reaffirmed that the ASEAN Unity Drive 2025 is a key initiative aimed at advancing critical regional policies, particularly the ASEAN Electric Vehicle Policy and Guidelines — one of the 18 economic priorities endorsed by ASEAN member states.
As part of the initiative, electric vehicle models such as the Proton eMAS 7 and the Proton X Series are not only showcasing technological advancements but also playing a direct role in accelerating the adoption of green mobility across Southeast Asia.
“This could involve creating regional supply chains, sharing technology and best practices, and developing compatible standards to facilitate cross-border EV movement and adoption”, the Ambassador stated. “Such collaboration will not only strengthen the ASEAN automotive industry but also reduce our reliance on external parties, fostering a truly ASEAN-centric approach to sustainable mobility”.
On this occasion, Ambassador Tan congratulated Vietnam on the 50th anniversary of the unification of Vietnam (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025), and the 30th anniversary of its accession to ASEAN. He underscored the enduring partnership and shared progress between the two nations within the broader ASEAN framework.
The ASEAN Unity Drive 2025 will begin its northern route in Hanoi, passing through Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand, before reaching its final stop in Malaysia - host of the Malaysia Autoshow 2025, the country’s largest automotive exhibition, scheduled for May 9-15.
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| MARii Senior General Manager Value Chain Development Division Bakri Alias believes the initiative would generate not only economic benefits but also reinforce ASEAN unity. (Photo: Ngoc Anh) |
At the flag-off ceremony, Mr. Bakri Alias, Senior General Manager Value Chain Development Division of the Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii), emphasized that the ASEAN Unity Drive initiative is a manifestation of these goals aimed at strengthening cross border collaboration and integration within the ASEAN automotive ecosystem.
According to him, MARii is an agency under the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), Malaysia. MARii plays a pivotal role in driving the development of future mobility, smart manufacturing and digitalisation in alignment with the National Automotive Policy 2020. This strategy aims to enhance the industry's competitiveness, foster technological innovation, and develop next-generation vehicle lines, while ensuring sustainable environmental development.
“Through this journey, we aim to build stronger networks, promote cleaner and smarter mobility solutions and encourage policy alignment across the region”, Mr. Alias said.
Highlighting Vietnam as a key stop on the route, Mr. Alias praised the country’s commitment to regional cooperation and expressed confidence that the initiative would generate not only economic benefits but also reinforce ASEAN unity.
“The convoy carries a message of unity, innovation, and shared prosperity”, he said. “It also showcases ASEAN’s collective readiness in shaping the future of mobility in line with global sustainability trends and regional integration efforts”.
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| Ambassador Dato’ Tan Yang Thai and ASEAN Department Director General Tran Duc Binh launch the ASEAN Unity Drive 2025. (Photo: Ngoc Anh) |
In an interview with The World and Vietnam Report, Ambassador Dato’ Tan Yang Thai emphasized that the ASEAN Unity Drive 2025 is not only about raising awareness but also about fostering collaboration to develop concrete, effective solutions for the growth of the region’s electric vehicle industry.
The Ambassador pointed out that while traditional fuel-powered vehicles can easily refuel across ASEAN countries, EVs still face significant challenges in cross-border mobility due to incompatible charging systems. "For example, Malaysia’s e.MAS 7 electric vehicle cannot charge at VinFast stations because each manufacturer uses a different charging system," he explained. "Without early standardization and alignment of EV charging infrastructure, cross-border travel within ASEAN will remain difficult."
As ASEAN Chair in 2025, Malaysia places high expectations on advancing the integration and standardization of charging systems and related policies across all member states. While acknowledging the significant challenges in the initial stages, the Ambassador stressed that ASEAN must act urgently if it aims to keep pace with the global shift toward electrification.
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| ASEAN must act now to keep pace with the global electrification wave. (Photo: Ngoc Anh) |
Ambassador Dato’ Tan Yang Thai also acknowledged that one of ASEAN’s major challenges is the low level of intra-regional trade. Speaking candidly, he noted that trade among ASEAN member states currently accounts for just over 20% of the region’s total trade volume, far below the target of 40% or higher.
The Ambassador said that enhancing intra-regional trade would not only deliver economic benefits but also strengthen the region’s self-reliance, especially in a global environment increasingly characterized by tariff barriers and geopolitical uncertainty. “It is time for ASEAN to focus more on its internal matrade - not just for growth, but to ensure sustainable self-protection”, he emphasized.
| Starting from Hanoi, the convoy will embark on a 9,000-kilometer journey, crossing culturally rich routes and stunning landscapes in Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand before arriving in Malaysia. Each stop will serve not only as a transit point but also as a platform for knowledge exchange and deeper dialogue on green transportation and digital transformation. Through these efforts, ASEAN is positioning itself as a global hub for electric vehicle innovation and sustainable mobility in emerging economies. ASEAN Unity Drive 2025 embodies a bold vision for the region’s mobility future, promoting innovation, sustainability, and economic growth, with Malaysia leading ASEAN’s automotive revolution. |
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