Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, delivered pre-recorded video remarks at the NUS Alumni Network Jakarta event, “ASEAN 2045: Geopolitics, Innovation and Opportunity in a Changing World,” held in Jakarta, Indonesia, on 15 September 2026 .
Anchored on ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future, Dr. Kao shared ASEAN’s perspectives on navigating an increasingly complex geopolitical and geoeconomic environment, highlighting three key areas geopolitics, innovation and opportunity.
He underscored the importance of strengthening ASEAN unity, Centrality and relevance, while harnessing artificial intelligence, digitalisation, emerging technologies and the green transition to create new opportunities for the region and its peoples. He also highlighted ASEAN’s potential as an epicentre of growth in the Indo-Pacific and the importance of ensuring that technological advancement remains inclusive and people-centred.
Looking ahead to ASEAN’s 60th anniversary in 2027, Dr. Kao encouraged the NUS alumni community, business leaders, professionals and academics to contribute their expertise, ideas and networks towards realising ASEAN 2045, calling on them to be partners in shaping Our Shared Future.
