Is ASEAN Moving Fast Enough? | World Economic Forum 2026

0 January 22, 2026 10:17

ASEAN’s growth ambitions are being tested by geopolitical fragmentation, domestic capacity constraints, climate pressures, and rapid technological change. While trade integration remains the backbone of the region’s economic model, quality infrastructure, including energy, transport, and interoperable digital systems.

The next frontier is execution: how can governments and businesses harness AI, digital infrastructure and skills development to turn this vision into inclusive growth across ASEAN’s diverse economies?

This session was developed in collaboration with The Straits Times.

Speakers:
Masato Kanda
President, Asian Development Bank

Ekniti Nitithanprapas
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Office of the Prime Minister of Thailand

Daren Tang
Director-General, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)

Meutya Viada Hafid
Minister of Communications and Digital Affairs, Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs of Indonesia

Tulsi Naidu
Chief Executive Officer, Asia-Pacific, Zurich Insurance Group

Moderator:
Jaime Ho
Editor, The Straits Times

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Video: World Economic Forum

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