EU-ASEAN Forum: what can the EU learn from the ASEAN experience?

H.E. Mohd Khalid Abbasi Abdul Razak is a seasoned diplomat with a career spanning nearly three decades and covering multiple regions. Previously, he was the Undersecretary of the Europe Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia (MFA). His tenure as Consul General in Karachi, and later in Jeddah, underscored his leadership ability to foster robust bilateral relationships and promote Malaysia’s interests on the global stage. He was also previously appointed as Ambassador of Malaysia to Argentina, where he played a pivotal role in enhancing bilateral ties and promoting mutual cooperation across diverse sectors.

As the Director of MIDA Frankfurt office, Asrulnizam Addrus is responsible for promoting Malaysia as the prime destination for foreign direct investment (FDI). Addrus has dedicated his career to facilitating the expansion of businesses into Malaysia as well as formulating new strategies, policies and incentive packages for industry stakeholders. He and his team in Frankfurt are also responsible for intensifying MIDA’s efforts to position Malaysia as a competitive investment destination in the global marketplace, contributing to the nation’s prosperity and development.

Dimitri Duong currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the ASEANcham-EU, the premier accredited Chamber of Commerce & Industry based in Brussels for ASEAN companies with interests in the EU and Europe. Duong began his career with international companies such as Toshiba and Fujitsu-Siemens. He also worked in the aviation industry as VP Sales, which led him to develop different projects in ASEAN. He later worked in the public sector for a regional trade agency of Belgium, and was in charge of the ASEAN region where he developed economic projects, institutional cooperation and led several trade missions.

Leila Fernández-Stembridge was Member of the Cabinet of High Representative and Vice-President Josep Borrell and was in charge of the Asia Pacific Region. Previously, Fernández-Stembridge worked at the European Commission’s DG ECFIN, where she was Deputy Head of ECFIN’s Communication and Inter-Institutional Relations Unit. She was also team leader for structural reforms in Greece and in Cyprus during the financial crisis. Prior, Fernández-Stembridge was based in Beijing, working as project manager in a trade programme between the Chinese Ministry of Commerce and the European Commission, and also at the EU Delegation, as a trade and economic advisor.

Alessandro Gropelli leads strategy and communications at the European Telecommunications Network Operators’ Association in his role as Deputy Director General. He is an expert on tech policy and the geopolitics of tech, as well as sustainability in ICT. Previously, Gropelli was European affairs advisor at Vodafone Group and vice-Chairman of the m-commerce Working Group of mobile operators’ association GSMA Europe. He has also worked in the Brussels team of Telecom Italia and as a public relations officer at the European Parliament. Gropelli is currently serving as board member and treasurer of GeSI, the Global Enabling Sustainability Initiative.

Dr. Kao Kim Hourn is a prominent figure in Cambodian international relations, notably within ASEAN. He served as minister delegate to the Prime Minister of Cambodia for two terms and is a prolific author on Cambodia and ASEAN. Dr. Kao is affiliated with various esteemed organisations, including the Supreme National Economic Council and The Asia Society. He founded The University of Cambodia in 2003 and holds multiple honorary doctorates. Recognised for his contributions, Dr. Kao received prestigious awards and titles, including the Honorary Title of ‘Guest Professor’ from Zhengzhou University.

Ravindra Ngo is actively engaged in organisations and initiatives that promote sustainable development and economic growth in the ASEAN region. He is the founder and CEO of The Asian Network, a community mainly composed of 550+ members across 25 Asian countries including government officials, C-level positions, high net worth Individuals, entrepreneurs, academics, and Ivy League alumni & young leaders. In addition to writing articles for the World Economic Forum, Ngo is also a regular speaker at conferences and events and is often sought out for his expert opinion by different media outlets. In 2020, he was selected by the World Economic Forum in their ‘ASEAN Expert’ Network.

Zrinka Reisinger is the Head of Sector for Asia-Pacific at the Policy Outreach and International Affairs Unit at DG Connect, European Commission. Reisinger began her career in the Commission in the area of electronic communications policies. Later, she moved to interinstitutional relations where she worked as political assistant to Director for Policy, Strategy and Outreach in DG CONNECT. Prior to working in the European Commission, Reisinger worked for three years in the European Parliament and has five years of experience in multinational law firms.

Thananchon Rojkitikhun is a seasoned diplomat and trade expert currently serving as Minister Counsellor at the Office of Commercial Affairs, Royal Thai Embassy in Brussels. With over a decade of experience, he has spearheaded trade negotiations at the Department of Trade Negotiations, Ministry of Commerce, engaging with bodies like the WTO and ASEAN FTAs. He excels in analysing trade policies and fostering public-private collaboration for enhancing Thailand’s global competitiveness.

With a diverse professional background, H.E. Sujiro Seam has served as the Ambassador of the European Union to ASEAN in Jakarta, Indonesia, and to the Pacific in Suva, Fiji. Prior roles include Ambassador of France to Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga and Tuvalu, Consul General of France in Houston, US, and various roles within the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ambassador Seam has also made significant contributions within the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at the Permanent Representation of France to the EU, and with the European Commission.

An expert in digitalisation, AI, consumer policy and cybersecurity, Cristina Vanberghen is an academic and political commentator, now based at the EUI in Florence, where she focuses on the geopolitics of digitalisation and EU digital law. She also works as an expert with the European Commission. Notably, Vanberghen has received EEAS recognition for her pivotal role in advancing digital diplomacy within the frameworks of the G20. She has also made impactful interventions as a speaker on the Comparative Aspects of Digitalisation between Europe and the Indo-Pacific Region at the EUI and as a speaker at the 2024 “Scholars Programme on EU-ASEAN Relations” (SPEAR), organised by the Delegation of the European Union to ASEAN. Her extensive travels throughout Asia, including ASEAN countries underscore her commitment to fostering international dialogue and cooperation. Previously, Vanberghen has also served as a diplomat at the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.