The ASEAN Future Forum took place on February 25, 2025, bringing together prominent leaders and experts to discuss key trends expected to influence the region and the world by 2035. The forum, held amid rising geopolitical tensions and rapid transformations, focused on demographic shifts, digital transformation, transnational threats, and complex international relations.
Leading the discussions was Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa, who highlighted the necessity for collaboration among ASEAN member states. He asserted, "No country can confront these challenges alone, not even ASEAN members." Sangiampongsa emphasized four primary trends shaping the ASEAN region and the world over the next decade.
The first trend is demographic change. Countries within ASEAN face rapid population aging, particularly Thailand and Singapore, which could lead to significant challenges pertaining to healthcare, social security, and general welfare. Sangiampongsa pointed out the need for ASEAN nations to implement supportive policies for the elderly, ensuring they remain active contributors to the workforce. He stated, "Efforts must focus on retraining human resources and enhancing digital skills, enabling older populations to adapt to the changing technological environment."
The second significant trend is digital transformation, which has become integral to global development. Sangiampongsa called for lifelong learning for future generations and the establishment of strong digital ecosystems. He noted, "ASEAN must promote initiatives to empower small and micro businesses digitally to thrive amid rapid global economic changes." Accordingly, enhancing digital skills and creating financial support mechanisms for sustainable business practices were highlighted as urgent priorities.
The third trend identified was transnational threats, arising from globalization. Challenges such as cybersecurity, pandemics, and climate change present real risks across borders. The ASEAN approach includes collaborative law enforcement mechanisms to tackle transnational crime, employing existing frameworks such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS) to bolster multilateral cooperation.
Another point raised by Sangiampongsa involved the increasingly complex geopolitical tensions stemming from rising competition among global powers. To address these shifts, ASEAN aims to uphold its central role by fostering internal cohesion and carrying out transparent dialogues among states. Sangiampongsa remarked, "ASEAN must continue to assert its central position to bolster regional order and promote strategic trust among nations."
At the forum, Simon Tay, chair of the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, echoed Sangiampongsa's sentiments by emphasizing the decline in international cooperation amid growing tensions, including the U.S.-China rivalry and the Ukraine conflict. He remarked, "Despite the increasing challenges, ASEAN continues to prosper and grow." Tay stressed the importance of strengthening ASEAN-led mechanisms, enhancing trade ties, and bolstering responses to regional challenges.
Another point of consensus among speakers was the need for ASEAN to pioneer efforts toward sustainable development, including green energy and sustainable agriculture. Addressing issues like water management, air quality, and renewable energy sources were deemed immediate priorities for member states.
Discussions also involved pressing global issues such as the long-term consequences of climate change on migration and food security, alongside socio-economic challenges tied to rapid population aging. Former Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, Ambassador Nguyen Trung Thanh, reflected on the absence of any new world order amid current geopolitical shifts. He expressed confidence, asserting, "ASEAN is poised to lead effectively on conflict management as tensions continue to rise.”
Ambassador Ian G. McKay from Canada endorsed the idea of ASEAN respecting and promoting multilateralism, urging members to strengthen their central role to extend their influence globally.
The discussions at the forum solidified the view among academic participants, leaders, and policy makers about the ten major global shifts anticipated through 2035—shifts aimed at determining whether globalization can continue effectively or face significant regression.
With historical precedents showcasing ASEAN's resilience as both a beacon of peace and stability, officials reinforced the association's commitment to addressing varying challenges through consensus and collaborative efforts. The forum's emphasis on adapting to changes within and outside the region distinctly highlighted the importance of maintaining solidarity and adaptability to solidify ASEAN's position within the international order.
Overall, the ASEAN Future Forum underscored the unity among ASEAN nations as they seek to navigate the complex challenges and opportunities lying across the horizon, particularly as they glance toward 2035. The necessity for strategic partnerships and commitment to collaborative governance appears more pressing than ever.
Moving forward, the priority for ASEAN will be to promote internal cohesion, build stronger global partnerships, and actively participate within multilateral frameworks to not only weather potential crises but also become proactive players on the global stage.