KUALA LUMPUR, 24 October 2025 – ASEAN Investment Forum (AIF) 2025 took place at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) reaffirming the region’s commitment to strengthen its position as a hub for investment, innovation, and sustainable growth. Considered as a key event of the region’s investment environment, the forum provided a platform for collaboration, sharing ideas, and showcasing investment opportunities that aim to drive economic development and resilience in the face of global challenges.
The forum brought together leaders, experts, and stakeholders from various sectors in ASEAN. Among the key speakers were Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), and Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, Malaysia’s Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry (MITI). Other notable attendees included Ajay Sharma CMG, British High Commissioner to Malaysia, and Satvinder Singh, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Economic Community. Alongside these dignitaries, the forum welcomed policymakers, business leaders, investment promotion agencies, and project developers from across the region.
The forum focused on ASEAN’s green transition, emphasising clear policies and harmonised regulations to attract investments into green sectors. Discussions highlighted low-carbon industrial investments in biofuels and carbon capture, supported by regulatory reforms and financial incentives. Smart manufacturing was explored, with ASEAN advancing in Industry 4.0 through automation, robotics, and digital platforms, requiring skilled workers and strong infrastructure. Health and life sciences manufacturing were identified as vital, with public-private collaboration and government support as the key to growth. Renewable energy was central, with regulatory certainty and grid expansion as crucial to support investment. The high-level investment panel stressed regional cooperation and talent development to boost ASEAN’s global competitiveness.
One of the highlights of the forum was the first-ever exhibition showcasing ASEAN’s first portfolio of investment-ready projects in priority sectors under the Regional Investment Promotion Action Plan (RIPAP). Participants were invited to explore these projects and engage in an informal networking with project developers and investment promotion agencies. This provided a unique opportunity to connect and collaborate, paving the way for future investments across the region.
In the closing session, Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz highlighted collaboration among investors, governments, and agencies to position ASEAN as a hub for innovation and prosperity. Under-Secretary-General Armida Alisjahbana expressed optimism about implementing RIPAP and showcasing investment-ready projects, anticipating more developed projects at next year’s forum. Deputy Secretary-General Satvinder Singh introduced the ongoing development of ASEAN Sustainable Investment Guidelines (ASIG) to promote responsible investment among others, underscoring the role of forums like AIF in driving regional strategies.
By working together, ASEAN is paving the way for long-term prosperity and ensuring its place as a trusted partner in the global economy. The forum was organised by United Nation ESCAP in coordination with the Government of Malaysia, ASEAN-BAC, and the ASEAN Secretariat, with the support of the UK International Development through the UK Green Transition Fund.
