Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad spoke at a plenary session of the 5th Eastern Economic Forum 2019 in Vladivostok, Russia on Thursday.

Malaysia was taking part in the forum for the first time.

Other leaders who attended the plenary session were Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mongolian President Khaltmaa Battulga, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Over 7,000 participants from more than 60 countries have gathered at the annual event, which will end on Friday.