Feb 08, 2025

I recently came across news discussing the challenges and opportunities facing ASEAN as it aims to maintain its centrality and adapt to a more geopolitically contested world. A former deputy secretary-general of ASEAN emphasized the need for the grouping to transform itself to navigate the changing dynamics of the global landscape. The book “Transformative ASEAN” provides insights on the future of the regional grouping, highlighting key strategies for ASEAN’s evolution and adaptation.

The book delves into ASEAN’s history and outlines a multifaceted approach for it to navigate a more contested world. It discusses milestones such as the adoption of the ASEAN Charter in 2007 and efforts to expand the role of the ASEAN Secretariat. The author also highlights recent developments, like the inaugural ASEAN think tanks summit in Jakarta, as examples of ASEAN’s efforts to adapt and evolve in response to changing dynamics.

Moreover, the book forecasts the outlook for ASEAN in key geopolitical and geoeconomic areas, offering valuable insights for scholars, policymakers, and businesses. It stresses the importance of ASEAN maintaining its central position amidst global power dynamics and provides strategies for achieving this moving forward. The book serves as a comprehensive analysis of the challenges and opportunities facing ASEAN in the coming years, offering a valuable resource for those interested in the region’s future trajectory.

In other financial news, there was a bullish outlook for U.S. stocks over the next decade, as predicted by Northern Trust Asset Management. The firm anticipates U.S. stocks to return 7.5% per year, driven by factors like share buybacks and favorable economic conditions. Additionally, there were updates on various investment opportunities, including funding secured by TaxGPT, ZeroRisk, INXY Payments, and Craveworthy Brands, as well as private equity deals and M&A activities within the sector. These developments showcase the dynamic landscape of the financial markets and ongoing activities within the industry.

Stay Well!