As the new normal of escalating great power rivalry and trade tensions casts doubt on global economic stability and growth, whither Southeast Asia? Through panels that visit shifting paradigms in regional business, trade, infrastructure, energy, waste, health and technology, this year’s Corporate Affairs Forum will discuss the future of this dynamic, fast-growing region in an era of trade wars. It will examine how effective and engaged corporate affairs strategies can allow companies to secure growth and manage conflict during the critical years ahead.
9.10 – 10.00AM
Panel I: ASEAN Outlook – Regional CEO Dialogue
Regional business leaders come together to discuss what is next for ASEAN against the backdrop of global trade and geopolitical developments.
Moderator: Hans Vriens, Managing Partner, Vriens & Partners
Speakers include:
10.00AM – 10.50AM
Panel II: Trade Wars in the Asia Pacific
Amidst growing geopolitical rivalry and anti-globalization movements across the globe, this panel examines the current state of international trade, regional players, and implications for Southeast Asia.
Moderator: Dr. Malcolm Cook, Senior Fellow, ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute
Speakers include:
10.50AM – 11.20AM: COFFEE BREAK
11.20AM – 12.05PM
Panel III: Plastics, Climate Change and the Energy Transition
Incorporating private and non-profit perspectives, this panel will discuss current efforts, prospects, risks and opportunities in achieving real progress in plastics, climate change and the energy transition in Southeast Asia.
Moderator: Elaine Collado, Country Director (Philippines), Vriens & Partners
Speakers include:
12.05PM – 1.00PM
Panel IV: Avoiding the “Ostrich” Effect – Embracing Change Through Proactive Communications
They say the only constant is change. This couldn’t be more true in our ever connected world that is increasingly driven by instinct and emotion, not facts and reason. To embrace the ever-changing landscape it’s important that we avoid hiding our heads in the sand and instead build strong, proactive communications strategies. Emotive storytelling has become the currency of good communications and facts alone are no longer enough to engage audiences and change minds. Join this panel discussion to gain inspiration on how leaders in communications are future-proofing their strategies to build stability and thought leadership during transformative times.
Moderator: Emma Thompson, Managing Partner, Spurwing Communications
Speakers include:
1.00PM – 2.10PM: BUFFET LUNCH
2.10PM – 3.00PM
Panel V: Battle for Payments in ASEAN
In Southeast Asia’s dynamic and lucrative payments industry, established and new players alike compete to reach unbanked groups and offer financial solutions for new and growing needs. Our panellists discuss the many opportunities in this space, as well as the challenges of navigating complicated and diverse regulatory regimes across the region.
Moderator: Ambassador Frank Lavin, CEO and Founder, Export Now
Speakers include:
3.00PM – 3.50PM
Panel VI: New Paradigms in Health – Value-Based Care
As budgetary pressures, ageing populations and chronic disease incidence continue to mount for healthcare systems around the globe, this panel examines the value-based healthcare paradigm and how it can be applied and explained in the ASEAN context. Beyond considerations in defining value, this panel discusses how various stakeholders in the public and private sector can work together to establish an effective performance-driven value based care system.
Moderator: Karin Jager, Asia-Pacific Regional Director for Government & Public Affairs, Novartis
Speakers include:
3.50PM – 4.05PM: COFFEE BREAK
4.05PM – 4.55PM
Panel VII: Technology & the Digital Economy in Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia’s digital economy is booming, driving strong economic development and uplifting communities across the region. We hear from technology companies on the leading edge of this transformation and innovation to discuss the impacts of this boom, what governments can do to ride this wave, and what it means for public policy and corporate affairs.
Moderator: Steven Liew, Senior Advisor, Vriens & Partners
Speakers include:
4.55PM – 5.00PM
CLOSE – followed by cocktails