Thursday, 23 May 2013

Forum to highlight on Asia economic ventures

PETALING JAYA: The widening economic inequality in Asian countries, security issues and how Asian countries can cooperate to confront common challenges are among the subjects that will be discussed at the three-day 27th Asia-Pacific Roundtable (APR) from June 3 to 5.

The theme of this year’s event is “Strategising change in Asia”, which will focus on understanding the dynamics of political-strategic change and its impact on the region.

The roundtable conference organised by Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia and Asean-ISIS will be held at Hilton Hotel in Kuala Lumpur. It had been conducted annually since its inception in 1987.

It is expected to host more than 350 security practitioners across the Asia-Pacific region and Europe, Russia and the United States. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak will deliver a keynote address at the roundtable conference.

Other subjects that will be highlighted at the roundtable include Asean’s strategies to maintain its relevance in the evolving regional architecture, continuity and changes in US engagement with the Asian region, political developments in Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand, Malaysia’s general elections, Russia’s relationship with East Asia and the Mindanao peace-building process.

There will also be a luncheon talk entitled “Re-Energising the Asean-Japan Partnership” to discuss among others the possibility for Japan and Asean to contemplate on cooperation beyond Asia as well as how Japan could bring its partnership with Asean to the next level.

The line-up of speakers include Indonesia Foreign Minister Dr Marty Natalegawa, former US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Admiral Christopher Hill, US Pacific Command commander Admiral Samuel J. Locklear III, Japan International Cooperation Agency president Dr Akihiko Tanaka, Brunei Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Datuk Seri Setia Lim Jock Seng, Russia Deputy Foreign Minister Igor V. Morgulov and Indonesia Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Raden Mohammad Marty Muliana Natalegawa.

The Star is the media partner for the roundtable conference.

(Source:The Star Online)

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