Singapore (TDI): The Think Asia Forum 2025 convened on April 15, bringing together distinguished scholars, policymakers, think tanks, and leaders from several Asian countries.
The event presented an opportunity for scholars and policymakers to explore and have a dialogue on the forum’s central theme “Contributing Asian Wisdom to Global Governance”
Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies, School of Journalism and Communication of Tsinghua University, Center for International Security and Strategy of Tsinghua University, Institute for Global Industry of Tsinghua University, and Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, NTU were among the organizers of this year’s Think Asia Forum.
Chinese Ambassador to Singapore, Cao Zhongming, opened the session, and examined how traditional Chinese and Asian philosophies and governance models can contribute to building a more inclusive and a sustainable world, in his opening remarks.
President of Tsinghua University, Li Luming, Vice President of China International Communications Group and President of the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies, Yu Yunquan, and Vice President of Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Ernst J. Kuipers also spoke during the session.
Former Vice Minister of Finance of China, Zhu Guangyao, Singapore’s Former Minister of State for the Prime Minister Office, Chan Soo Sen, the Director of the East Asian Institute of the National University of Singapore (NUS), Alfred Schipke, Former Assistant Foreign Minister of China, Hu Zhengyue also addressed the participants during the first session.
The speakers emphasized on the significance of traditional and modern Asian philosophies which have helped in achieving ethical leadership and diplomacy. They also highlighted several regional cooperation models and their relevance for global policymaking.
Moreover, they applauded Asia’s contributions to sustainable development and climate action, meanwhile emphasizing the need for a unified approach toward conflict resolution and consensus-building.
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Chairman of the Center of Analysis of International Relations of Azerbaijan, Farid Shafiyev, during his speech, underscored the opportunities that multilateralism has provided in the present turbulent world.
He stated that Azerbaijan has actively contributed to organizations such as SCO and CICA, which shows Azerbaijan’s commitment to regional connectivity and development.
During the session titled Exchanges and Mutual Learning: The Coexistence of Diverse Asian Civilization, the speakers stressed on centuries-old tradition of intellectual exchange between Asian civilizations.
They underscored the significance of learning from one another and moving beyond political and economic divisions.
The President of the Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies, Dr. Farhat Asif, stated that Asia’s civilizational heritage provides the foundation for diplomacy, especially at a time when the world is searching for models of cooperation and coexistence.
She emphasized on the need of digital diplomacy that would reflects Asia’s historical values of respect, dialogue and mutual learning.
She also stressed that Asia can meaningfully contribute to global governance if Artificial Intelligence and the advanced digital technologies serve as a bridge rather than a barrier.
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During the second session titled Security and Stability: Asia’s Future in a Changing World, panelists highlighted that Asian countries have faced both unprecedented challenges and significant opportunities as the world order underwent transformation.
In order to deal with the growing geopolitical tensions and non-traditional security threats, Asian countries need to collaborate with one another. Sustainable and long-term peace can be achieved only through multilateral engagements and developing trust-building mechanisms.
The Vice President for External Affairs of the Asian Century Philippines Strategic Studies Institute, Anna Rosario Malindog-Uy, during her speech said: “Asia’s civilizational heritage teaches harmony over hegemony and consensus over coercion. The ASEAN Way, though often criticized as slow or indecisive, offers a model of deliberative diplomacy where dialogue persists even amidst disagreement.”
She urged the Asian countries to invest not only in deterrence but in dialogue mechanisms, and not just military alliances but economic complementarities.
“Peace in the South China Sea cannot be achieved through power projection alone; it must be cultivated through joint development, scientific collaboration, environmental stewardship, and a shared commitment to the common good,” she added.
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The third session titled Development and Sharing: Asian Wisdom for Global Recovery emphasized the need for inclusive development models.
Panelists, during this session, highlighted that the principles of mutual benefit, respect, harmony, and sustainability have been deeply embedded in many Asian societies.
The traditional Asian models of community welfare and resource sharing can help in uplifting the present-day developing and under-developed Asian societies.
To achieve that, a joint consensus on South-South cooperation and regional solidarity in development is required.
Participants appreciated the efforts of Think Asia Forum 2025, which continue to organize meaningful dialogue, meanwhile offering insight into global challenges and paving the way for a more compassionate and connected future.
Javaria Khalid is a Web Contributor at The Diplomatic Insight Magazine. She specializes in covering geopolitical developments, international relations, diplomatic, and socio-economic developments in Europe and Pakistan.
