Asia Future Summit returns with focus on reimagining region’s leadership in uncertain times

SINGAPORE – Premier thought leadership conference Asia Future Summit –  jointly presented by SPH Media flagship titles The Straits Times, Lianhe Zaobao and the Business Times – will return from Oct 8 to 9.

The annual conference convenes a slate of visionaries, policy thinkers and industry trailblazers to explore how Asia can play a pivotal role in this era of disruption and divergence.

They will discuss how to move beyond resilience, to reimagine strategies, forge new alliances, and chart bold paths forward. 

The theme for 2025 – Navigating A Fractured World – reflects the turbulence of today’s geopolitical flux, technological bifurcation and economic volatility.

Asia, which accounts for some 60 per cent of global growth, lies at the epicentre of driving future progress.

Discussions at the summit will centre on rebuilding public trust by strengthening institutions and transparency; tackling new leadership, productivity and workforce challenges in the evolving world of work; and hearing from Asia’s next generation of young leaders.

Panels will dive deep into pressing topics such as the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, the future of US-China trade relations and what lies next for the world, as well as Asean’s ability to build resilient trade and supply chains in a protectionist age.

Geopolitics aside, industry leaders will take the stage to discuss how they balance short-term crisis management with a long-term strategic vision amid shifting sands.

Key office-holders will include Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs K. Shanmugam, Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung, Malaysia’s Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Liew Chin Tong, and Indonesia’s Special Adviser for International Trade and Multilateral Cooperation to the President Mari Pangestu. 

Other speakers include Professor Wu Xinbo, dean of the Institute of International Studies and director at the Centre for American Studies at Fudan University; Mr Ye Gang, the chief operating officer and co-founder of Sea; and Pacific International Lines executive chairman and Singapore Business Federation chairman Teo Siong Seng.

Sessions at the two-day event will be moderated by editors from the three publications.

OCBC is the presenting sponsor of the event.

Noting SPH Media’s position as Singapore’s largest multichannel news network, chief executive officer Chan Yeng Kit said: “The Asia Future Summit 2025 aims to bring together global minds to address the most pressing challenges of our time.”

Mr Wong Wei Kong, editor-in-chief of the English/Malay/Tamil Media group, raised the importance of creating such a regional platform for constructive, in-depth exchanges in times of global uncertainty.

Added SPH Media deputy chief executive Kuek Yu Chuang: “Our goal is to present fresh insights, spark transformative conversations, and open new opportunities for governments, businesses, and communities to chart the future together.” THE BUSINESS TIMES