The 2025 ASEAN in Focus forum brought together diplomats, researchers and business leaders to explore the ASEAN–Australia strategic partnership and how knowledge partnerships can help strengthen the future of ASEAN–Australia relations.

Held at the University of Sydney in September, SSEAC Director Professor Greg Fox opened the forum by highlighting ASEAN’s growing global influence and the critical role of universities in shaping its future. With Timor-Leste set to join the bloc in October, ASEAN will soon represent 700 million people and 7% of global GDP.

“In a world increasingly characterised by complexity and volatility, ASEAN will need to draw strength not only from diplomacy, but from its capacity to generate and apply new knowledge,” Professor Fox said.

“For Southeast Asia, innovation is a way of life. The University of Sydney is delighted to collaborate with partners in the region to generate multidisciplinary insights into the region’s most pressing challenges.”

This research and innovation, he noted, occurs in the context of the Australian Government’s Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040. The forum was co-hosted by the ASEAN-Australia Centre, which supports the implementation of the strategy.

“Deepening our economic engagement with Southeast Asia is critical to Australia’s long-term prosperity,” said Fiona Hoggart, Head of the ASEAN-Australia Centre.

“There are vast business, trade and investment opportunities in our region, with Southeast Asia expected to be the world’s fourth largest economy by 2040.

“The ASEAN-Australia Centre is proud to support ASEAN in Focus as well as our programs such as Generation Next for young female entrepreneurs; Emerging Leaders Programs; and short courses in STEM and resources that help businesses and emerging leaders across sectors connect, network and learn about the region we share.”

ASEAN in a changing geopolitical landscape

In his keynote address, H.E. Satvinder Singh, Deputy Secretary-General of the ASEAN Economic Community, highlighted ASEAN’s economic strength and strategic importance, noting its $3.9 trillion GDP in 2024 and its standing as one of the world’s leading destinations for foreign direct investment.

He outlined ASEAN’s push for digital and sustainable transformation, including the landmark Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), a regional agreement aimed at harmonising digital trade, cybersecurity and e-commerce across ASEAN Member States, and noted support from Australia on the development of regional strategies on sustainability, such as on carbon neutrality and blue economy.

Reflecting on five decades of ASEAN–Australia relations, Deputy Secretary-General Singh also identified key areas for the way forward: enhancing the effectiveness of free trade agreements utilisation; engaging the private sector in sustainability transitions; boosting competitiveness and investment readiness; leveraging ASEAN’s growing middle class and consumption-driven economies; and strengthening financial sector linkages between ASEAN and Australia.

He called for deeper engagement, especially through education, tourism and investment, and emphasised the importance of mutual respect and shared ownership.

“Australia brings its resources, knowledge and commitment, but always respects ASEAN’s leadership and ownership in our initiatives,” he said. “You listen to us, and that makes our partnership resilient, impactful, and full of promise for the next 50 years.”

Research in action: Grand Challenges Showcase

The forum also featured a Grand Challenges Showcase, chaired by Professor Tiho Ancev, Deputy Director of Research at SSEAC. The session highlighted three University of Sydney researchers whose work exemplifies SSEAC’s commitment to addressing Southeast Asia’s most pressing challenges through multidisciplinary collaboration.

Rice is a staple food in Southeast Asia but is vulnerable to climate change. Professor Budiman Minasny (School of Life and Environmental Sciences) presented his research on rice production and food security in the region. Using AI and satellite data, his team maps soil variation in rice-growing regions over space and time. The data is used to identify drought impacts, improve early warning systems and support policy tools to mitigate climate risks.

Assuring the sustainability of rice farming is also critical in mitigating economic risks and protecting smallholder livelihoods and wellbeing. Professor Daniel Tan (School of Life and Environmental Sciences) shared a case study from Cambodia, where his team developed a low-cost seed cleaning technology to reduce weed contamination in rice farming. The project was funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) and scaled with support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency. It has further led to ACIAR-funded research on integrating the electrification and smart mechanisation of two-wheel tractors with precision agriculture for improved productivity and sustainability. These efficiency improvements have reduced labour burdens and improved working conditions particularly among women.

Women tend to be invisible economic contributors to the region, and the work of Professor Karen Canfell (Sydney School of Public Health) makes critical contributions to women’s health and wellbeing. The Elimination Partnership in the Indo-Pacific for Cervical Cancer (EPICC), supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Minderoo Foundation, leverages Australia’s world-leading cervical cancer expertise to help countries like Timor-Leste and Indonesia implement HPV vaccination and screening programs. Professor Canfell emphasised the societal impact of cervical cancer and the transformative potential of evidence-based public health interventions such as EPICC to contribute to the health and productivity of women and to the economic stability and growth of the region.

What’s next for ASEAN-Australia relations?

The forum finished with a panel discussion, chaired by Dr Sandra Alday, SSEAC’s Deputy Director of Partnerships, that explored the future of ASEAN–Australia relations. Panellists included H.E. Arjaree Sriratanaban (Ambassador of Thailand to Australia), Fiona Hoggart (Head of the ASEAN-Australia Centre), Chris Barnes (Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry) and John Hopkins (Export Finance Australia).

The discussion centred on the evolving landscape of Australian business engagement with ASEAN and broader international markets. There continues to be significant opportunity for Australia to engage more deeply with the region and panellists called for more active engagement with ASEAN alumni, stronger Asia literacy in Australian schools and universities, and more targeted support for Australian businesses entering Southeast Asia.

Professor Fox closed the forum by emphasising the importance of sharing in regional collaboration. Shared challenges, shared knowledge and shared successes are the foundation of resilient partnerships and ASEAN–Australia collaboration. He also underscored the need for greater Asia literacy in Australia, stronger cross-cultural partnerships and wider recognition of the impactful work already happening across the region.

Reflecting on the high-impact research presentations and dynamic panel discussions, Professor Fox noted that, “A lot is already happening in research and innovation to address regional challenges. ASEAN in Focus has shown that continued evidence-based approaches and trusted partnerships are essential to building a resilient, prosperous, and interconnected region.”