• Southeast Asia Global Relations Outlook Part 2: The ASEAN-6

    Southeast Asia Global Relations Outlook Part 2: The ASEAN-6

    In this second part of our short series analyzing Southeast Asia’s Global Relations Outlook for 2025, we provide an in-depth look into the political and economic trajectories and key issues facing the ASEAN-6 countries this year: Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Singapore. Navigating geopolitical tensions and trade challenges while maintaining domestic political stability…

  • Southeast Asia’s Energy Transition: Policy and Deployment

    Southeast Asia’s Energy Transition: Policy and Deployment

    Drawing policy recommendations from an analysis of renewables deployment in the region in the 21st century. Click here for PDF version. Introduction The race for renewables continues. Growing energy demand, climate risks, and potential economic opportunities are driving countries to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and diversify their energy mix through investing in renewable energy…

  • Southeast Asia Global Relations Outlook Part 1: Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship

    Southeast Asia Global Relations Outlook Part 1: Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship

    Introduction  On January 1st, 2025, Malaysia took up the Chairmanship of ASEAN from Laos under the theme of “Inclusivity and Sustainability.” The country aims to host over 300 ASEAN-related meetings, programs, and summits, with a complete agenda to be announced in January or February this year. In the first of a short series analyzing Southeast…

  • Demystifying DEFA: Policy and Political Drivers Across ASEAN

    Demystifying DEFA: Policy and Political Drivers Across ASEAN

    ASEAN’s Digital Economy Framework Agreement is inseparable from ASEAN’s own modern history of self-determination amid great-power competition. Like ASEAN itself, DEFA is likely to matter less for what it does, and more for what it is: a member-state driven attempt to transform Southeast Asia from a site of great-power rivalry into a centre in its…

  • Policy State of Play: Artificial Intelligence in Southeast Asia

    Policy State of Play: Artificial Intelligence in Southeast Asia

    Artificial Intelligence (AI) is projected to generate considerable economic and social value in Southeast Asia. By 2030, AI adoption could improve the region’s total gross domestic product (GDP) by between 13 and 18 percent, a value nearing US$1 trillion.[1] Buoyed by a burgeoning digital economy and a young, tech-savvy demographic, AI can play a major…