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ASEAN & Asia must do more amid a global storm, say experts at 17th AAF
Regional forum urges collective action as global disruptions mount
Singapore, 5 August 2025 – As the world grapples with intensifying geopolitical tensions, a fraying rules-based order and economic fragmentation, ASEAN and Asia must do more – and do it together. Singapore can and should play a leading role in addressing risks and seizing opportunities. These were the key messages from the 17th ASEAN and Asia Forum (AAF), hosted by the Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA), incorporating the 4th meeting of the Asian Council of Economic Policy (ACEP).
Held under the theme The Global Future and Challenges Ahead, the AAF gathered approximately 300 corporate leaders based in Singapore to discuss the region’s response to today’s complex challenges with key policymakers.
H.E. Dr Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, in his keynote dialogue on the bloc’s strategic direction, stressed the need to reinforce ASEAN centrality amid shifting global dynamics. He said: “ASEAN has served as a cornerstone of regional peace. We must remain agile, hopeful and forward-looking as we navigate complex challenges. Our centrality and unity must remain our guiding compass.”
In a special In-Conversation segment at the AAF, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Singapore’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, commented on how Singapore is responding to a rapidly changing world, particularly in view of shifting American policies notably Liberation Day. He said Singapore’s framework involves three ‘Rs’ –supporting “reform” of international organisations, doubling down on ASEAN “regionalism”, and “reinforcing” Singapore’s own competitiveness.
Addressing ASEAN’s economic transformation and the need for regional collaboration, such as in advancing trade and green energy partnerships, Ms Dyah Roro Esti Widya Putri, Indonesia’s Deputy Minister of Trade, highlighted the role of innovation in driving sustainable growth – a message echoed throughout the forum.
Bringing these ideas into focus, the AAF featured diverse speakers – from prospective investors to government representatives and financial institutions – discussing real-world collaboration in the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone. They also explored shared energy and climate solutions, including regional carbon markets and the ASEAN Power Grid, underscoring how public-private partnerships can help ASEAN meet its net-zero goals.
In a closed-door meeting of the ACEP held at the AAF, officials and experts from South Korea and key ASEAN economies underscored the need for innovation and reform to unlock new sources of growth in the region. The meeting also marked the 35th anniversary of the ASEAN-South Korea dialogue partnership.
Associate Professor Simon Tay, Chairman of the SIIA, said: “ASEAN must act boldly and innovatively in a changing world. As the global order shifts, practical regional initiatives such as the ASEAN Power Grid and Johor-Singapore SEZ can serve as win-win solutions that both strengthen our economies and bring the region closer together.”
The 17th AAF was made possible with the support of the following organisations:
- Key donors: Maybank, Moody’s Ratings, and Swift
- Gold donor: Temasek
- Silver donors: ST Telemedia, and Equinix
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For further enquiries, please contact the SIIA at media@siiaonline.org.
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Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA)
The Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA) provides insights and perspectives for policymakers, businesses and individuals in navigating issues facing the world. Our work serves as a bridge between these stakeholders, to nudge policy change through dialogue and collective action.
As a founding member of the ASEAN-ISIS (ASEAN Institutes of Strategic and International Studies) network since 1988, we engage in “Track II” diplomacy, fostering dialogue among stakeholders in our region and beyond.
We have been consistently ranked as one of the leading think tanks in Southeast Asia and the Pacific, in the Global Go-To Think Tank Index* by the University of Pennsylvania.
