Assessing the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Strategic Plan 2026-2030: Is It Fit For Purpose?

As ASEAN concludes the implementation of the AEC Blueprint 2025, attention now turns to the newly adopted AEC Strategic Plan 2026–2030, launched alongside the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 at the 46th ASEAN Summit in Malaysia. Framed as a new strategy for a more resilient, inclusive, and future-ready ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), the plan arrives at a time of profound transformation and uncertainty. This seminar critically examines whether the AEC Strategic Plan 2026-2030 is truly fit for purpose amid intensifying megatrends and mounting regional challenges. Key issues under scrutiny include the resurgence of trade protectionism—exemplified by a more assertive U.S. tariff regime—the restructuring of global supply chains through onshoring and near-shoring activities, and the disruptive impacts of rapid digitalisation and demographic change. Some ASEAN economies face ageing populations, while others must rapidly upskill their workforce to remain competitive in a technology-driven environment. At the same time, sustainability and climate resilience have become urgent imperatives that will shape the region’s long-term development trajectory.

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This Panel Discussion was hosted by the Centre on Asia and Globalisation (CAG) at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, NUS, on July 9, 2025. CAG is dedicated to conducting in-depth research on developments in the Asia-Pacific and beyond. CAG’s mission is to provide accurate, independent, and high-quality analysis on issues of regional and global significance for academia, decision-makers, commentators, and the general public.
Visit CAG's website: https://lkyspp.nus.edu.sg/cag

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Speakers:
Denis Hew, Senior Research Fellow, Centre on Asia and Globalisation, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore

Manu Bhaskaran, Partner of Centennial Group and Founding CEO of its Singapore subsidiary Centennial Asia Advisors, and Adjunct Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies

Lim May-Ann, Director of Multilateral Relations, Data Policy, and Partnership, and the Emeritus Director of the Asia Cloud Computing Association (ACCA)

Yose Rizal Damuri, Executive Director, Centre for Strategic and International Studies, Jakarta

Chairperson:
Barbora Valockova, Postdoctoral Fellow, Centre on Asia and Globalisation, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore

#GovernancefortheFuture #publicpolicy #policymatters #ASEAN

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