The Regional Outlook Forum (ROF) 2025 will delve into the pressing need for resilience amid the disruptions and uncertainties caused by political, geopolitical, technological, and economic upheavals at both national, regional and global levels. The trajectory of global developments could take dramatic twists and turns, following the US presidential election. The Trump 2.0 presidency would intensify the resurgence of American isolationism, protectionism, and unilateralism, potentially driving further realignments and fragmentation in global politics and economy. In Asia, the network of US alliances and minilateral partnerships carefully constructed by the Biden administration now hangs in the balance even as the US-China strategic rivalry is set to deepen.

As nations, societies, and economies navigate these unprecedented changes and potential chaos, the Forum seeks to highlight pathways to stay resilient and adaptive. This includes emphasising the imperative to deepen regional economic integration, secure access to markets and technologies, and accelerate the green transition and digital transformation for continued growth.

ROF2025 will also assess domestic political situations in Southeast Asian countries and implications for their economies and foreign policies. We will reflect on the political upheavals in Vietnam, which have led to frequent changes in high-level leadership positions, and what is in store for the 2026 National Party Congress. Additionally, we will explore the fissures within the UniTeam alliance between the Marcoses and Dutertes and consider their policy impacts for the Philippines. For Indonesia, we will analyse how President Prabowo Subianto, coming out of his predecessor’s shadow, will strengthen his country’s economic and geopolitical standing to shape his own legacy. Lastly, as Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s Unity Government approaches its mid-term point, we will assess its capacity to undertake more difficult reforms while fostering social cohesion and political stability in Malaysia.