On 10 December 2025, the ASEAN–Korea Centre (AKC) successfully convened the 13th ASEAN Connectivity Forum at the Westin Seoul Parnas Hotel. Since its inaugural edition in 2013, the Forum has served as one of the flagship platforms for advancing dialogue and cooperation on ASEAN Connectivity between the Republic of Korea (ROK), ASEAN Member States, and relevant partners. This year’s forum was attended by approximately 100 participants, comprising senior officials, experts, and representatives from ASEAN Member States, Dialogue Partners, international organisations, and the Korean private sector. Malaysia was represented by the Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of Malaysia in Seoul.
In his opening remarks, H.E. Kim Jae-shin, Secretary General of the AKC, underscored the enduring significance of the Forum as a tangible expression of the shared commitment to strengthening connectivity in all its dimensions, namely, physical, institutional, and people-to-people, guided by the six strategic areas of cooperation. He highlighted that enhanced connectivity is essential for fostering economic integration, improving supply-chain resilience, and promoting sustainable and inclusive growth across the region.
Speaking via a recorded video message, H.E. Datin Sarah Al Bakri Devadason, Permanent Representative of Malaysia to ASEAN and Chair of the ASEAN Connectivity Coordinating Committee (ACCC), reaffirmed the central role of connectivity as a key driver of ASEAN’s regional cooperation and integration agenda. She emphasised that the continued and steadfast support of the ROK remains instrumental in enabling ASEAN to realise the goals outlined under MPAC 2025 and its succeeding document. She further noted that sustained collaboration between ASEAN and the ROK serves not only to deepen regional integration but also to contribute meaningfully to wider Indo-Pacific cooperation. In addition, Mr. Lee Dong-gy, Director-General of the ASEAN and Southeast Asian Affairs Bureau of the ROK Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and H.E. Tanee Sangrat, Ambassador of Thailand to the ROK and Country Coordinator for ASEAN–ROK Dialogue Relations, also delivered remarks, offering their valuable perspectives and underscoring the importance of the Forum in advancing ASEAN–ROK cooperation.
The 13th ASEAN Connectivity Forum provided an important opportunity for stakeholders to exchange insights, review progress, identify challenges, and explore new avenues for collaboration. It also reinforced the strong and enduring partnership between ASEAN and the ROK in advancing connectivity initiatives that contribute to sustainable development, prosperity, and regional cohesion.
