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 12, 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

Gan Kim Yong, Deputy Prime Minister, Singapore

Gan Kim Yong

Deputy Prime Minister, Singapore

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

Nguyen Chi Dung, Deputy Prime Minister, Vietnam

Nguyen Chi Dung

Deputy Prime Minister, Vietnam

Mahathir bin Mohamad, Former Prime Minister, Malaysia

Mahathir bin Mohamad

Former Prime Minister, Malaysia

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)

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

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

Hiroki Sekine

Managing Executive Officer, Japan Bank for International Cooperation

Sharon Seah Senior Fellow, ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute

Sharon Seah

Senior Fellow, ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute

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

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 12, 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

9:25

DAY 1-1

Muhammad YunusChief Advisor of the Interim Government, Bangladesh

Moderator

Satoshi IwakiNew Delhi Bureau Chief

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 Headquarter in Asia, 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

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

13:25

DAY 1-5

Jin LiqunPresident, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)

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

Moderator

Sharon SeahSenior Fellow, ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute

15:55

DAY 1-8

Mohamad HasanForeign Minister, Malaysia

Moderator

Fumika SatoSingapore 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

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 Sachs

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)