ASEAN Technology Summit Opens in Kuala Lumpur

28 November 2025

KUALA LUMPUR: The ASEAN Technology Cooperation & Development Summit 2025 (ATCDS 2025) officially opened today at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), with the event officiated by Datuk Amar Haji Fadillah Haji Yusof, Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia. As part of Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship 2025, the summit has attracted unprecedented participation, with over 2,000 delegates onsite, more than 50,000 online livestream viewers, and high-level representatives from thirteen countries. The gathering brings together over forty leading global investors, industry leaders, scientific experts, and policymakers, making ATCDS 2025 one of Southeast Asia’s most influential platforms for regional innovation collaboration and cross-border scientific exchange.

During the opening ceremony, the Deputy Prime Minister highlighted the importance of viewing technology, talent, and regional cohesion as strategic assets that will define the region’s next decade of transformation. He stressed Malaysia’s commitment to strengthening research funding, attracting international innovators, and positioning the country as a central hub for scientific cooperation across ASEAN. He also announced that the summit will become an annual event, demonstrating ASEAN’s dedication to institutionalising long-term innovation partnerships.

In her welcome address, Ravenna Chen, Summit Chairperson and CEO of Intrinsic SEA, emphasised the need for ASEAN to shift from fragmented innovation efforts to a coordinated regional approach. She pointed out that the region’s large population, demographic advantages, and rapidly expanding digital economy present a unique opportunity for ASEAN to emerge as a global innovation hub, provided that cross-border research collaboration, technology transfer, and talent mobility are strengthened. Chen stressed that the future must be “co-created and shared,” especially as technological changes reshape supply chains, digital trust, and education systems.

From a broader Asia-Pacific perspective, Antonio I. Basilio, Director of the Asia Pacific Business Council, highlighted the increasing interdependence between ASEAN and the wider APEC region, which accounts for more than sixty per cent of global GDP. Basilio noted Malaysia’s thriving semiconductor industry, progressive digital policies, and strong networks between government, industry, and academia, positioning the country as a strategic partner in areas such as AI governance, digital trade, resilient supply chains, green industry, and cross-border research and development. He emphasised that emerging challenges, whether related to sustainability, new technologies, or data governance—require joint efforts across ASEAN and APEC, rather than isolated national responses.

The opening ceremony also saw the launch of several initiatives and collaborations. These included the official launch of ATCDS 2025, the unveiling of the new publication ASEAN Economic, and several strategic memoranda of understanding involving Intrinsic SEA with SIEF, AISED, and MIMOS. These developments reinforce Malaysia’s position at the intersection of ASEAN’s innovation ecosystem and global scientific cooperation. High-level keynote speeches from regional scientific and policy leaders provided further insights into ASEAN’s opportunities in emerging technologies, STEAM integration, and cross-border innovation networks.

Over its three-day programme, ATCDS 2025 will explore the region’s key technological priorities through ministerial dialogues, scientific discussions, industry forums, and innovation showcases. Topics will include future mobility, digital and precision healthcare, sustainable building technologies, the Halal digital economy, education and entrepreneurship, as well as bilateral and multilateral meetings involving public and private sector leaders. The summit will also feature Intrinsic Pitch 2025, an innovation showcase connecting emerging startups with regional venture investors.

By bringing together policymakers, scientists, industry representatives, and global innovation agencies, the summit reinforces Malaysia’s growing role as a regional hub for innovation diplomacy and highlights ASEAN’s increasing influence within global value chains. The discussions and collaborations initiated at ATCDS 2025 are expected to foster new research initiatives, policy frameworks, talent development programmes, and long-term cooperation mechanisms that will shape the region’s innovation landscape well beyond 2025.