INTRODUCTION

Geopolitical rivalry, economic fragmentation, supply chain disruption, the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI), and mounting climate-related risks are reshaping the environment in which ASEAN operates. In this changing context, ASEAN faces growing pressure to maintain its centrality, strengthen its resilience, and continue delivering practical benefits for its member states. ASEAN's future rests on its ability to preserve regional stability, deepen economic integration, and translate regional commitments into practical cooperation. As economics and security become increasingly intertwined, ASEAN will need to strengthen cooperation on trade, energy, and digital governance while ensuring that growth remains inclusive. Against this backdrop, Professor Mari Elka Pangestu's lecture will examine the strategic choices facing ASEAN and discuss how the region can continue to deliver tangible benefits for its people in an increasingly uncertain world.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Prof. Mari Pangestu is the Special Envoy of the President of the Republic of Indonesia for International Trade and Multilateral Cooperation, and Vice Chair of the National Economic Council. She previously served as the President’s Special Envoy for Climate Finance and advised the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime and Investment Affairs on sustainability, energy transition, and blended finance (2023–2024).

From 2020 to 2023, she was Managing Director of Development Policy and Partnerships at the World Bank. Earlier, she was Indonesia’s Minister of Trade (2004–2011) and Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy (2011–2014).

She has over 30 years of experience across academia, diplomacy, international organisations and government.

She is currently Professor of International Economics at the University of Indonesia and a Board Member of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Jakarta. She is also a Distinguished Visiting Fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics and at the Center for Global Energy Policy at Columbia University, as well as an Honorary Professor at the Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University.

She earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in economics from the Australian National University, and her PhD in economics from the University of California, Davis.

ABOUT THE MODERATOR

Simon SC Tay is a public intellectual and advisor to major corporations and policy-makers. He is currently (1) Chairman of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs, a globally ranked think tank; (2) Associate Professor at the National University of Singapore Faculty of Law; (3) Senior Consultant with WongPartnership, a leading regional law firm; (4) Ambassador for Singapore; and (5) Board Member to Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, a statutory board under the Ministry of Transport. (6) Non-Executive Independent Director with the board of Certis Cisco. Previously he has taught at Harvard Law School and Yale University, served on boards for leading global companies including MUFG Bank of Japan, Toyota Japan, and Deutsche Boerse (Asia), and been Corporate Advisor to Temasek Holdings. He has also served Singapore as Chairman of the National Environment Agency and Nominated Member of Parliament.

SILE ACCREDITED CPD ACTIVITY

1.0 Public CPD Point 
Practice Area: International Law
Training Category: General

Participants who wish to obtain CPD Points are reminded that they must comply strictly with the Attendance Policy set out in the CPD Guidelines. For this activity, this includes signing in on arrival and signing out at the conclusion of the activity in the manner required by the organiser, and not being absent from the entire activity for more than 15 minutes. Participants who do not comply with the Attendance Policy will not be able to obtain CPD Points for attending the activity. Please refer to http://www.sileCPDcentre.sg for more information.