The ASEAN Technology Cooperation & Development Summit 2025 (ATCDS 2025) commenced today in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, under the auspices of the country’s ASEAN Chairmanship. Officiated by YAB Datuk Amar Haji Fadillah bin Haji Yusof, Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister, the summit has attracted over 2,000 delegates onsite and more than 50,000 online viewers, marking it as a significant event for regional innovation and technological cooperation.
Held at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), ATCDS 2025 is drawing participation from 13 countries, including high-level representatives from various sectors. The gathering features over 40 global investors, industry leaders, and policymakers, positioning it as a premier platform for fostering collaboration across Southeast Asia.
During the opening ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah articulated the importance of viewing technology, talent, and regional cohesion as vital assets for the future of ASEAN. He indicated Malaysia’s commitment to enhancing research funding and attracting global innovators, emphasizing the nation’s ambition to become a central hub for scientific collaboration in the region.
“The next decade of transformation for ASEAN will hinge on our ability to innovate together,” Fadillah stated, announcing that the summit will evolve into an annual event aimed at institutionalizing long-term cooperation in innovation.
Shifting Towards Coordinated Regional Action
In her welcome address, Ravenna Chen, Summit Chairperson and CEO of Intrinsic SEA, highlighted the necessity for ASEAN to transition from fragmented innovation efforts to a more unified regional approach. She noted that the region’s demographic advantages and rapidly growing digital economy present a unique opportunity to establish ASEAN as a global innovation leader.
Chen stressed the need for enhanced cross-border research collaboration, technology transfers, and frameworks for talent mobility. She emphasized that the future of the region must be “co-created and shared,” particularly as technological advancements reshape global supply chains and educational systems.
Offering insights from a broader perspective, Antonio I. Basilio, Director of the Asia Pacific Business Council, pointed to the growing interdependence between ASEAN and the wider APEC region, which collectively represents over 60% of global GDP. He praised Malaysia’s strong semiconductor ecosystem and progressive digital regulations, asserting that these factors enhance the country’s role as a vital partner in areas such as AI governance and sustainable industrial development.
Strategic Collaborations and Future Directions
The opening ceremony also included multiple formal announcements and collaborations, setting a proactive agenda for the summit. Key highlights included the official launch of ATCDS 2025, the unveiling of the new publication “ASEAN Economic”, and several strategic memorandums of understanding involving Intrinsic SEA and other organizations, reinforcing Malaysia’s pivotal role in the ASEAN innovation ecosystem.
Throughout its three-day program, ATCDS 2025 will delve into critical technological priorities through ministerial dialogues, scientific forums, and industry showcases. Topics will cover future mobility, digital healthcare, sustainable building technologies, and the Halal digital economy, among others. The summit also features Intrinsic Pitch 2025, which connects emerging startups with regional venture investors, fostering new growth opportunities.
By convening policymakers, scientists, and corporate leaders, the summit aims to enhance Malaysia’s influence in innovation diplomacy and reinforce ASEAN’s position in global value chains. The discussions and partnerships formed at ATCDS 2025 are anticipated to generate new cross-border research initiatives, policy frameworks, and long-term cooperation mechanisms that will shape the region’s innovation landscape beyond 2025.
