Nikkei Forum 30th FUTURE OF ASIA | May 29(Thu)-30(Fri), 2025

30TH ANNIVERSARY

What's New

2025.05.12: The forum program has been released. Click here for details.
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Asia’s Challenge in a Turbulent World

After 2024, when many countries and regions experienced elections, the world is facing greater uncertainty.
The imposition of “Trump tariffs” has shaken the free trade system that underpins economic growth in Asia, and in South Korea, the impeachment of the president and the upcoming election have brought about a rapidly changing situation. In Myanmar, which is in the midst of armed civil conflict, a humanitarian crisis is looming after a major earthquake.
In 2025, which continues to be a year of upheaval, we will discuss measures for Asia to work together to achieve prosperity and growth.

About

FUTURE OF ASIA is an international gathering where political, economic, and academic leaders from the Asia-Pacific region offer their opinions frankly and freely on regional issues and the role of Asia in the world. Held by Nikkei every year since 1995, it is considered to be one of the most important global forums in Asia.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the forum. We are looking forward to your participation in the commemorative gathering.

SPEAKERS

*As of May 27, 2025

*Honorific titles omitted, in no particular order.

*Please be advised that speakers and programs are subject to change.

Thongloun Sisoulith, President, Laos

Thongloun Sisoulith

President, Laos

Surangel Whipps Jr., President, Palau

Surangel Whipps Jr.

President, Palau

Hun Manet, Prime Minister, Cambodia

Hun Manet

Prime Minister, Cambodia

Muhammad Yunus, Chief Advisor of the Interim Government, Bangladesh

Muhammad Yunus

Chief Advisor of the Interim Government, Bangladesh

Shigeru Ishiba Prime Minister, Japan

Shigeru Ishiba

Prime Minister, Japan

Gan Kim Yong, Deputy Prime Minister, Singapore

Gan Kim Yong

Deputy Prime Minister, Singapore

Nguyen Chi Dung, Deputy Prime Minister, Vietnam

Nguyen Chi Dung

Deputy Prime Minister, Vietnam

Enrique Manalo, Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Philippines

Enrique Manalo

Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Philippines

Maris Sangiampongsa, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Thailand

Maris Sangiampongsa

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Thailand

Mahathir bin Mohamad, Former Prime Minister, Malaysia

Mahathir bin Mohamad

Former Prime Minister, Malaysia

Dhanin Chearavanont Senior Chairman, CP Group

Dhanin Chearavanont

Senior Chairman, CP Group

Akihiko Nishio, Vice President of Development Finance, The World Bank

Akihiko Nishio

Vice President of Development Finance, The World Bank

Kevin Daly, Co-head of CEEMEA Economics, Goldman Sachs

Kevin Daly

Co-head of CEEMEA Economics, Goldman Sachs

Alexis Crow, Partner, PwC US

Alexis Crow

Partner, PwC US

Yun Duk-min Former Ambassador to Japan, South Korea

Yun Duk-min

Former Ambassador to Japan, South Korea

Jin Liqun, President, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)

Jin Liqun

President, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)

Juita Mohamad Consultant, UNCTAD

Juita Mohamad

Consultant, UNCTAD

Takashi Imamura, President, Marubeni Institute

Takashi Imamura

President, Marubeni Institute

Atsushi Sunami, President, The Sasakawa Peace Foundation

Atsushi Sunami

President, The Sasakawa Peace Foundation

Rory Medcalf, Head of College, National Security College, Australian National University

Rory Medcalf

Head of College, National Security College, Australian National University

Harsh V. Pant, Vice President, Observer Research Foundation

Harsh V. Pant

Vice President, Observer Research Foundation

Hal Brands, Professor, Johns Hopkins University

Hal Brands

Professor, Johns Hopkins University

Rumi Aoyama, Professor, Waseda University

Rumi Aoyama

Professor, Waseda University

Kimio Momose, Professor by Special Appointment, Sophia University

Kimio Momose

Professor by Special Appointment, Sophia University

Zhu Guangyao Former Vice Minister of Finance, China

Zhu Guangyao

Former Vice Minister of Finance, China

Luo Zhaohui, Former Chairman, China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA)

Luo Zhaohui

Former Chairman, China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA)

Anna Skarbek CEO, Climateworks Centre

Anna Skarbek

CEO, Climateworks Centre

Hiroki Sekine, Managing Executive Officer, Japan Bank for International Cooperation

Hiroki Sekine

Managing Executive Officer, Japan Bank for International Cooperation

Han Phoumin Senior Energy Economist, Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA)

Han Phoumin

Senior Energy Economist, Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA)

Sharon Seah Senior Fellow, ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute

Sharon Seah

Senior Fellow, ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute

Aimee T. Gonzales, Executive Director, Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA)

Aimee T. Gonzales

Executive Director, Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA)

Ng Boon Heong CEO, Temasek Foundation

Ng Boon Heong

CEO, Temasek Foundation

Mayuko Mori, Associate Professor, Tokyo Woman’s Christian University

Mayuko Mori

Associate Professor, Tokyo Woman’s Christian University

Narayan Lal Gurjar Founder and CEO, EF Polymer

Narayan Lal Gurjar

Founder and CEO, EF Polymer

Shunsuke Inoue, CEO, Japan Process Mining Technology

Shunsuke Inoue

CEO, Japan Process Mining Technology

Kee Cheng Heng Founder, HelloHolo

Kee Cheng Heng

Founder, HelloHolo

Raphaël Ascoli, Co-founder, Housing NOW

Raphaël Ascoli

Co-founder, Housing NOW

Kyaw Zin Latt Co-founder, Housing NOW

Kyaw Zin Latt

Co-founder, Housing NOW

Kazumasa Iwata President, Japan Center for Economic Research

Kazumasa Iwata

President, Japan Center for Economic Research

Robin Harding Asia Editor, The Financial Times

Robin Harding

Asia Editor, The Financial Times

Date: May 29 (Thu), 30 (Fri), 2025

Venue: Tokyo (Specific venue will be announced to in-person pass holders only)

Organizer: Nikkei Inc.

Sponsors: PwC Fumakilla

Supported by: ASEAN-Japan Centre

Academic Partner: Sophia University

Official Media: Nikkei Asia

Media Partner: Financial Times (U.K.), Yicai Media Group (China), People's Daily (China), Hindustan Times (India), Kompas (Indonesia), JoongAng Ilbo (South Korea), Maeil Business Newspaper (South Korea), New Straits Times (Malaysia), CNBC Asia Pacific (Singapore), The Straits Times (Singapore), Bangkok Post (Thailand), Vietnam News Agency (Vietnam)

Contact: Secretariat of 30th FUTURE OF ASIA reg_foa2025@creative-net.co.jp

For Press & Media: Registration and permission by the organizer are required for media coverage. Please contact the Press Desk of 30th FUTURE OF ASIA.
press_foa2025@creative-net.co.jp

Organizer

Sponsors*In no particular order

Academic Partner

Tickets

Access to live stream

All sessions
*No video archives.

Attending all sessions on-site

Simultaneous interpretation to English will be provided.
Access to live stream

All sessions
Access to full video archives

Available until the end of November 2025
Lunch

Buffet style
Access to FUTURE OF ASIA seminar series

A series of four seminars will be held in Tokyo after the main forum in May. Registration required. Click here for details.
Nikkei Asia subscription (1 year)

*You will receive a 1-year subscription once you register.
Your subscription will start at the beginning of the month following your registration.
You may gift this subscription to someone else.
Instructions will be sent via email.

AGENDA

DAY 1 DAY 2

(As of May 27, 2025)

*Honorific titles omitted.

*English and Japanese simultaneous interpretation will be available during the forum.

*Please be advised that speakers and programs are subject to change.

*Some speakers will participate online. Please be aware that video and audio may be disturbed due to technical issues.

DAY 1May 29(Thu), 2025 (JST, Tentative)

9:15

Opening

Yuri MomoiChief of Political and Economic News Unit, Nikkei Inc.

9:25

Day 1-1

Muhammad YunusChief Advisor of the Interim Government, Bangladesh

Moderator

Satoshi IwakiNew Delhi Bureau Chief, Nikkei Inc.

10:15

Day 1-2

Gan Kim YongDeputy Prime Minister, Singapore

Moderator

Fumika SatoSingapore Bureau Chief, Nikkei Inc.

11:05

Day 1-3

Maris SangiampongsaMinister of Foreign Affairs, Thailand

Moderator

Kosuke InoueStaff Writer, Editorial Headquarters for Asia, Nikkei Inc.

11:45

Day 1-4

Zhu GuangyaoFormer Vice Minister of Finance, China

Luo ZhaohuiFormer Chairman, China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA)

Moderator

Tetsushi Takanashi Senior Editorial Writer, Nikkei inc.

Tetsushi TakahashiSenior Editorial Writer, Nikkei inc.

12:15 - 13:25

Lunch

Lunch Session & Networking
*Only available for In-Person Pass holders.

Asia: Reflections and Insights for Future through Nikkei Asia

CK TanDesk Editor, Nikkei Asia, Nikkei Inc.

Katherine CreelTech News Editor, Nikkei Asia, Nikkei Inc.

John AglionbySoutheast Asia Editor, Nikkei Asia, Nikkei Inc.

Moderator

Akito TanakaEditor-in-Chief, Nikkei Asia Nikkei Inc.

13:25

Day 1-5

Jin LiqunPresident, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)

Moderator

Yuri MomoiChief of Political and Economic News Unit, Nikkei Inc.

14:05

Day 1-6

Asia Undercurrent Special Session

Panel DiscussionDecarbonization and Economic Growth in Asia

Hiroki SekineManaging Executive Officer, Japan Bank for International Cooperation

Han PhouminSenior Energy Economist, Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA)

Anna SkarbekCEO, Climateworks CentreOnline

Moderator

Sharon SeahSenior Fellow, ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute

15:15

Day 1-7

Shigeru IshibaPrime Minister, Japan

Moderator

Naoko YamauchiDesk Editor, Political News Group, Nikkei Inc.

15:55

Day 1-8

NIKKEI ASIA AWARDLessons from Bamboo Housing Projects in Myanmar: Keys to Success in Emerging Markets

Raphaël AscoliCo-founder, Housing NOW

Kyaw Zin LattCo-founder, Housing NOW

Moderator

Yuji Nitta Hanoi Bureau Chief, Nikkei Inc.

Sadachika WatanabeYangon Bureau Chief, Nikkei Inc.

16:35

Day 1-9

Panel DiscussionSustainable Uses of Oceans and Marine Resources Supported by International Cooperation

Surangel Whipps Jr. President, Palau

Ng Boon HeongCEO, Temasek Foundation

Aimee T. GonzalesExecutive Director, Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA)

Moderator

Atsushi SunamiPresident, The Sasakawa Peace Foundation

17:25

Day 1-10

Panel DiscussionAsia Next 30: A Bold Forecast for Asia 30 Years Ahead

Kevin DalyCo-head of CEEMEA Economics, Goldman SachsOnline

Akihiko NishioVice President of Development Finance, The World Bank

Robin HardingAsia Editor, The Financial Times

Lead Commentator

Kazumasa IwataPresident, Japan Center for Economic Research

DAY 2May 30(Fri), 2025 (JST, Tentative)

9:00

Day 2-1

Hun ManetPrime Minister, Cambodia

Moderator

Hiroshi KotaniEditor-in-Chief, Editorial Headquarters for Asia, Nikkei Inc.

9:40

Day 2-2

Nguyen Chi DungDeputy Prime Minister, Vietnam

Moderator

Yuji NittaHanoi Bureau Chief, Nikkei Inc.

10:20

Day 2-3

Enrique ManaloSecretary for Foreign Affairs, Philippines

Moderator

Ramon RoyandoyanManila Correspondent, Nikkei Asia, Nikkei inc.

11:00

Day 2-4

Mahathir bin MohamadFormer Prime Minister, Malaysia

Moderator

Akio FujiiExecutive Chair of Editorial Board, Nikkei Inc.

11:40 - 13:00

Lunch

13:00

Day 2-5

Thongloun SisoulithPresident, Laos

Moderator

Kosuke InoueStaff Writer, Editorial Headquarters for Asia, Nikkei Inc.

13:50

Day 2-6

Dhanin ChearavanontSenior Chairman, CP Group

Moderator

Jada NagumoStaff Writer, Nikkei Asia, Nikkei Inc.

14:30

Day 2-7

Panel DiscussionRedefining Power and Prosperity in Asia - Who Will Shape the Region's Security and Economic Future?

Lead Commentator

Rumi AoyamaProfessor, Waseda University

Hal BrandsProfessor, Johns Hopkins University

Rory MedcalfHead of College, National Security College, Australian National UniversityOnline

Harsh V. PantVice President, Observer Research Foundation

15:35

Day 2-8

Panel DiscussionGeopolitical Risks in Asia: Corporate Strategies in the Face of Trump 2.0

Alexis CrowPartner, PwC US

Takashi ImamuraPresident, Marubeni Institute

Juita MohamadConsultant, UNCTAD

Moderator

Akio FujiiExecutive Chair of Editorial Board, Nikkei Inc.

16:25

Day 2-9

Panel DiscussionYoung Entrepreneurs on Social Innovation and Asian Growth

Narayan Lal GurjarFounder and CEO, EF PolymerOnline

Kee Cheng HengFounder, HelloHoloOnline

Shunsuke InoueCEO, Japan Process Mining Technology

Moderator

Kimio MomoseProfessor by Special Appointment, Sophia University

17:15

Day 2-10

Panel DiscussionSouth Korea at a Crossroads: What Can We Expect from the Next President?

Yun Duk-minFormer Ambassador to Japan, South Korea

Mayuko MoriAssociate Professor, Tokyo Woman’s Christian University

Moderator

Tetsuya FujitaSeoul Bureau Chief, Nikkei Inc.

WHY ATTEND?

01 Leaders' Real Voices

Hear directly from Asia’s top leaders over the course of two days. Journalists from Nikkei, specialized in reporting across Asian countries, will elicit candid opinions from them. This is an exclusive opportunity to gain firsthand insights and understand the current situation in Asia.

02 Discover Latest Trends

There will be nearly 20 sessions over two days, providing comprehensive coverage of the latest information about Asia. With a 30-year history, this event is highly trusted as a venue for gathering information for government officials, business professionals, and researchers in Asia.

03 Quality Networking

We will provide networking opportunities for you to share what you learn and explore new business possibilities.
*Benefit exclusive to in-person attendees.

“The Forum speakers were much knowledgeable, and helped the audience to understand more about the relations between the countries in the Asia region."

“A great platform to hear different opinion leaders. It gave me a practical chance to broaden my knowledge and keep up with the most recent advancements and trends in Asia."

“The discussions were very impressive and a real eye-opener for many of us."

Latest news from Nikkei Asia

Updated on June 2, 2025, 21:30 JST

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India

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What's New

Asia’s Challenge in a Turbulent World

About

SPEAKERS

Tickets

AGENDA

Lunch

Asia: Reflections and Insights for Future through Nikkei Asia

Lunch