プログラム／Program

Asia-Pacific Forum 2019
co-hosted by Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS)
and Japan Economic Foundation (JEF)
on
The Future of the Asia-Pacific Economies
Beyond 2020-- How can the Asia-Pacific Region achieve abetter globalization in coping with rising
populism and emerging inequality? -16 - 17 October 2019
(Venue: Westin Hotel Kuala Lumpur)
1000 - 1030

1030 - 1045

Wednesday, 16 October 2019
Arrival and Registration
Venue: Westin 1, Level 2
Welcoming Remarks byTan Sri Rastam Mohd Isa
Chairman and Chief Executive
Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia
Welcome Remarks by
Mr Kazumasa Kusaka
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Japan Economic Foundation (JEF)

1045 - 1105

Keynote Address by
YB Dr Ong Kian Ming
Deputy Minister
International Trade and Industry (MITI) Malaysia

1105 - 1115

Photo Session

1120 - 1230

Panel Session 1: Prospects and Issues for the Future Sustainable
and Inclusive Growth in the Asia-Pacific Region
The Asia-Pacific region has been the growth center of the world
economy. For its growth to be sustainable, it is important thatgrowth should be inclusive with its outcome distributed equally.
What are some constraining factors which must be overcome toachieve such growth in the coming years?
In the past, this region suffered low growth as protective “MyCountry First” measures, including excessive protection of infantindustries, were taken. Then, this region achieved today’sdevelopment through such open and free trade measures as seenin the progress of ASEAN integration, China’s entry to WTO, theexpansion of intra-regional FTAs, and the realization of the CPTPP.
Now in order for this region to enjoy the benefits of free trade to amaximum extent, it is imperative to implement domestic structuralreforms. Growth strategies need to correspond to issues ofstructural reforms. In this session, issues, challenges and solutions
for executing growth strategies in this region are broadly examinedwith attention paid to the notion that it is very important for growth
to contribute to the overall welfare of society as well as GDP growth.
In other words, growth has to be inclusive.
Guiding questions:⚫ What are the components of sustainable and inclusive growththat countries in the region should focus on in the medium tolong-term and what are the challenges in achieving them?
⚫ What are the sources of sustainable growth in the region? Can
trade still be the vehicle for equal prosperity?
⚫ How do we ensure that inclusive growth is achieved by all inthe region?
Moderator:
Dr Josef T Yap
Senior Technical Advisor
ASEP-CELLs Project, Ateneo School of Government

Panelists:
Prof Shujiro Urata
Professor of Economics
Graduate School of Asia Pacific Studies Waseda University
Dr Man-jung Mignonne Chan
Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer
Forum on Humanities
Prof Gary HawkeEmeritus Professor
Victoria University of Wellington
Dr Wisarn Pupphavesa
Senior Advisor
Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI)Dr Vo Tri Thanh
Chairman
Vietnam National Committee for Pacific Economic Cooperation(VNCPEC)Mr Alizan Mahadi
Senior Fellow, Technology, Innovation, Environment andSustainability (TIES)Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia
1230 – 1400

Welcome Luncheon
Hosted by Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS)
Malaysia

1400 - 1510

Panel Session 2: Progress of Regional Integration in the AsiaPacific Region and Its Outlook
In the Asia-Pacific region, ASEAN integration is progressing, intraregional FTAs are expanding and the CPTPP was realized.
Consequently these trade liberalization measures have promoted
the establishment of intra-regional supply chains. In addition, theRegional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement
is close to realization.

However, the recent US-China trade friction, which began due tothe Trump administration’s “America First” action, is causingchanges in the regional supply chains, including those of Chinesecompanies. Amid actions of anti-globalization and protectionism
seen in the EU and US, prerequisites for economic growth as well as
issues, challenges and solutions are discussed for this region tomaintain and develop free trade, and eventually lead it to therealization of a regional integration.
Guiding questions:⚫ What are the mid and long-term outlook for regional tradeamidst trade tensions?
⚫ Should countries in the region continue pushing for tradeliberalization going forward beyond 2020?
⚫ Which type of mega-regional trade deals are needed toreinvigorate further trade liberalization and facilitation efforts
in the long-term?
Moderator:
Prof Tham Siew Yean
Senior Fellow
ISEAS-Yusof Ishak InstitutePanelists
Dr Zhong Feiteng
Head and Professor
National Institute of International Strategy, Chinese Academy ofSocial Sciences (CASS)
Amb Murray McLean AO
ChairmanDunmore McLean Pty Ltd
Datuk Seri Jayasiri Jayasena
Former Secretary-General
Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), Malaysia
Ms Anita Prakash
Director of Policy Relations
Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA)Dr Juita Mohamad
Fellow, Economics, Trade and Regional Integration (ETRI)
Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia
1510 - 1530

Coffee Break

1530 – 1640

Panel Session 3: New Challenges for Achieving Economic
Prosperity
New difficulties have arisen in realizing inclusive growth andachieving the economic prosperity and stability of the Asia-Pacificregion. One is the Digital Revolution and the other is politicalpopulism. The impact of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and Digital
Revolution on this region is a matter of particular concern. On theother hand, there remains a concern whether political populism
could cause anti-globalization in this region sentiments.
Against these backdrops, and in achieving the region’s socioeconomic stability and prosperity, what should we do? This session
will examine human resource as well as infrastructure development
and other possible solutions.
Guiding questions:⚫ What is needed for countries in the region to participate in theFourth Industrial Revolution?
⚫ How does quality infrastructure fit into the needs of a region inboosting its supply capacity?
⚫ What can be done to offset anti-globalization sentiments onthe ground?
Moderator:
Mr Naoyuki Haraoka
Executive Managing Director
Japan Economic Foundation (JEF)
Panelists:
Dr Ahn Choong-yong
Distinguished Professor
Graduate School of International Studies, Chung-Ang University
Dr Yose Rizal Damuri
Head of Department of Economics

Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)Dr Josef T Yap
Senior Technical Advisor
ASEP-CELLs Project, Ateneo School of Government
Assoc Prof Simon SC Tay
ChairmanSingapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA)
Dr Priyadarshi DashAssistant Professor
Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS)
Ms Farlina SaidAnalyst, Foreign Policy and Security Studies (FPSS)
Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia
1640 - 1700

Closing Remarks by
Tan Sri Rastam Mohd Isa
Chairman and Chief Executive
Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia

1800 - 1830

Cocktail Session

1830 - 2030

Welcome Dinner
Hosted by Japan Economic Foundation
Thursday, 17 October 2019

0900 - 1200

Closed-door Roundtable

1200 - 1300

Farewell Lunch
Hosted by JEF and ISIS Malaysia