June 18, 2025 | The ASEAN Governors and Mayors Forum (AGMF) Secretariat was invited to the ASEAN Entities Forum 2025 to align with the 20-year ASEAN roadmap toward a resilient, inclusive, and people-centred ASEAN. The Forum brought together ASEAN-accredited institutions, such as AMGF, think tanks, and socio-cultural networks, to explore how their work can contribute to this shared vision.
In the forum, ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn stressed the importance of collaborative governance. In light of global uncertainties, from climate change to geopolitical instability, he called for a spirit of solidarity and cooperation grounded in mutual respect and shared responsibility.
The Forum’s first thematic dialogue, “ASEAN Chairmanship 2025: Inclusivity and Sustainability,” was led by moderator Mr. Garry Ramlee Ibrahim, Director of the Political and Security Directorate. Ambassador Sarah Al Bakri Devadason, Malaysia’s Permanent Representative to ASEAN, presented the Chairmanship’s inclusive leadership model. Complementing the discussion, Mrs. Delia Albert, former Foreign Secretary of the Philippines, provided historical grounding and championed the core principles of ASEAN entities.
Shifting focus to economic transformation, the next session was moderated by Mr. Nararya Soeprapto, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for Community and Corporate Affairs. Dato Lim Jock Hoi, former ASEAN Secretary-General, shared an outlook on four economic pillars for ASEAN 2045: regional integration, green transition, digital innovation, and supply chain resilience.
Global perspectives took centre stage in the third session, moderated by Dato’ Astanah Abdul Aziz, Deputy Secretary-General for the Political-Security Community. Mrs. Retno Marsudi, former Indonesian Foreign Minister and UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Water, delivered a powerful call for urgent reform. She urged ASEAN to lead in advancing people-centred development amid growing global fragmentation.
The Forum then explored four interlinked strategic plans, each presented by ASEAN division representatives. Mr. Paladin Ansharullah outlined the Political-Security plan, focusing on cybersecurity, maritime cooperation, and conflict prevention. Ms. Gusti Ayu Meisa followed with the Economic Community Post-2025 plan, highlighting inclusive, adaptive, and green development. Mr. Puthsodary Tat introduced the Socio-Cultural plan, which prioritised gender equality, education, mental health, digital inclusion, and climate resilience. Lastly, Mr. Lim Chze Cheen delivered the Connectivity plan, emphasising the need to move beyond infrastructure to strengthen digital, institutional, and people-to-people linkages.
Following these presentations, participants joined breakout discussions based on the four strategic pillars, reflecting on how their programmes could align with ASEAN 2045 while addressing challenges such as financing, coordination, and local-level engagement.
The day concluded with closing remarks from Mr. Derry Aman, Ambassador/Permanent Representative of the Republic of Indonesia to ASEAN, who emphasised that ASEAN’s success depends on policies grounded in people’s lived realities. He encouraged ASEAN entities to ensure that their contributions bridge institutions and communities.
UCLG ASPAC is deeply committed to strengthening the capacity of local governments as full partners to localise the ASEAN Community Vision 2045. This commitment is advanced through various platforms, including the Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on Localising the ASEAN Community Vision, held during the UCLG ASPAC Executive Bureau Meeting in Boracay on June 12, 2025. The effort will continue at the AGMF 2025, scheduled on August 12–14, 2025, where local leaders will further define how city and regional priorities can align with the ASEAN Vision.
