Malaysia to Host Launch of ASEAN Halal Council in September 2027

At the Halal 20 Summit, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced that Malaysia intends to host the launch of the ASEAN Halal Council in September 2027, proposing to serve as the council’s secretariat pending agreement from member states. Indonesia is expected to assume the role of the first chair, reflecting a joint initiative first floated during a 2025 halal industry roundtable in Jakarta and a meeting with Vice-President Gibran Rakabuming Raka.

The proposal has been forwarded to the ASEAN Secretariat and will be presented for endorsement at the ASEAN Summit in Manila. Zahid highlighted the rapid growth of the halal economy, citing a USD 2.6 trillion spend in 2024 projected to reach USD 3.56 trillion by 2029, and warned that the region must align standards and certification to capture this market. He described the council as a foundational block for a future World Halal Development Council, with further discussion slated for the Malaysia International Halal Showcase in Kuala Lumpur later this month.