Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today delivered the keynote speech at the 2026 ASEAN-ROK Regional Connectivity Forum in Jakarta, Indonesia. In his keynote speech, Dr. Kao highlighted that the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and the ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan must now be translated into concrete projects and commitments that not only strengthen ASEAN-ROK connectivity, but also advance the practical implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP). He commended the ROK’s continued support for advancing ASEAN Connectivity initiatives in the region, such as cooperation on open data, technical and vocational education and training (TVET), and smart and sustainable urban development, and welcomed the ongoing upgrade of the ASEAN-Korea Free Trade Area Agreement. The Forum was co-hosted by the ROK Mission to ASEAN and the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP), supported by the Permanent Mission of Thailand to ASEAN as the Country Coordinator for ASEAN-ROK Dialogue Relations.

Download SG’s full remarks here.