ASEAN Vision Shared at the 2026 Warwick Economic Summit
At the Warwick Economic Summit 2026 conference, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, the Secretary-General of ASEAN, spoke to students and leaders. He talked about how ASEAN has changed over time into a regional community based on peace, security, prosperity, and cooperation that puts people first.
Dr. Kao stressed that ASEAN can adapt to global uncertainty through open dialogue and trust in institutions. He said that the summit was a good way to get future global leaders to talk about how to make regional economies more resilient.
Source: ASEAN Strategic/Website
Peace And Security As Foundations Of ASEAN Integration
Dr. Kao said that peace and security are the most important things that will help ASEAN’s economy and society grow in the long term. He said that stability in the region has let member states work together instead of competing with each other through conflict.
ASEAN’s way of making decisions based on consensus has helped keep political differences under control and stop disputes from getting worse. This framework still encourages conversation even though tensions are rising in the Indo-Pacific region.
Prosperity Built Through Economic Cooperation And Trade
The keynote speech focused on how ASEAN has helped everyone become richer through trade, investment, and economic integration. Dr. Kao said that open markets and regional supply chains are two things that help growth that includes everyone.
He said that ASEAN’s economic frameworks support connectivity while still respecting each country’s own development goals. This balance has made ASEAN more appealing to global partners looking for stability and long-term relationships.
Recommended Article: India Plans CPSE Real Estate Monetisation Via REITs Plan Now
Sustainability Increasingly Shapes ASEAN Policy Direction
Dr. Kao said that sustainability is now a key part of ASEAN’s plans and policies for the region. Environmental resilience, climate action, and sustainable development are having more and more of an impact on strategies for economic cooperation.
He said that ASEAN combines growth with sustainability instead of seeing it as a limit. This method helps make sure that regional growth is in line with global standards for social and environmental responsibility.
Turning Diversity Into Strength Through Cooperation
People said that ASEAN’s cultural, political, and economic diversity was a strength, not a weakness. Dr. Kao said that cooperation mechanisms help turn differences into strengths that work together in the region.
He said that mutual respect and not interfering with each other were important principles that helped build trust between member states. These principles help ASEAN work well even though each country has its own system and level of development.
Youth Engagement Central To ASEAN’s Future Development
Dr. Kao said again how important young people are for ASEAN’s long-term direction and ability to innovate. He talked directly with ASEAN students who were studying at the University of Warwick while he was there.
Young people were asked to share their thoughts on leadership and understanding people from other cultures. Dr. Kao said that young people are important partners in keeping ASEAN relevant in a world economy that is changing quickly.
Open Partnerships Strengthen ASEAN Global Engagement
The Secretary-General talked about how ASEAN is committed to working with outside global stakeholders in open, inclusive ways. He said that working with universities, think tanks, and youth forums helps new ideas in policy.
ASEAN can share ideas and best practices with other countries by working with international academic communities. This kind of openness strengthens ASEAN’s position as a useful link between regions and global organizations.
