The Asia Economic Forum (AEF) is a premiere think-tank promoting policy dialogue around major issues facing the Asia-Pacific region. Acting as a discussion forum, covering pan-Asian affairs, the aim of the AEF is to provide critical exposure to eminent thinkers, important policymakers, leading scholars, and researchers to converge or diverge on pressing matters that affect the people of this region. Pithy discussions arising from the AEF often become policy recommendations for global action.
Our experts hail from the private sector, public sector, academia, and civil society. Focused at the Track 1.5 level, which includes both government and non-government officials, the AEF covers a range of issues to include economic development, globalization, regionalism, peace and security, leadership, environment, health, women and gender, energy, and education.
The AEF recognizes that the Asia-Pacific region has evolved into one of the most influential regions in the world. In that regard, our focused discussions touch on issues with a particular lens on 2050, which assumes that Asia's ascension to superpower status will be reached by that time.
Given the dynamism of regional integration and expansion, it is essential that we provide a forum for experts to share their views, which are based on the following principles:
- To act as a leading think-tank in Asia-Pacific by providing a much-needed policy forum for dialogue, consultation, exchange, and networking.
- To enable the convergence of different sectors, institutions, and societies into a shared partnership of cooperation, collaboration, and concerted action.
- To contribute to regional community-building processes at different levels, such as the ASEAN Community, the East Asian Community, and the conceptual notion of an Asian Economic Community.
- To engage in constructive dialogue through conferencing and policy research on issues of great relevance to Asia-Pacific's sustainable development, regional integration, and community-building exercises.
- To become a dynamic and concerted force of positive change and transformation for Asia-Pacific's broader needs and shared interests in a changing world; and
- To promote the region's unity, solidarity, and collaborative action for peace, security, development, and prosperity, in order to complement existing mechanisms, such as the Boao Forum.
The AEF was established by the University of Cambodia, in Phnom Penh, in May 2005. Since its inception, the AEF has hosted eight consecutive fora which are listed below in chronological order.
2005- 1st AEF
The Future of Asia: The First East Asia Summit and Its Implications of Asia and the World
2006- 2nd AEF
Bridging Development Gaps in East Asia: Vision, Strategic Direction, and Plan of Action
2007- 3rd AEF
Leadership Needs and Challenges in the Twenty-First Century: Asian Perspectives
2008- 4th AEF
Asia in a Globalizing World: Challenges, Priorities, Leadership, and Future Directions
2009- 5th AEF
Asia's Challenges and Opportunities During the Time of Global Economic and Financial Crises
2010- 6th AEF
Maximizing Asia's Strategic Role in the World: Opportunities, Challenges, and Future Prospects
2011- 7th AEF
The Asian Century in the Making: Achievements, Challenges, and Future Trends
2012 - 8th AEF "ASEAN in the Evolving Regional Architecture: Opportunities, Challenges and Future Direction"
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